Ten Films Illuminate the Science of Soil in the 9th Indie-Siyensya Filmmaking Competition

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

The stage is set for the country’s most unique celebration of science and storytelling. The Department of Science and Technology–Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) has officially unveiled the ten finalists of the 9th Indie-Siyensya Filmmaking Competition, the Philippines’ pioneering and only science filmmaking contest.

Now on its ninth edition, Indie-Siyensya continues its mission of inspiring both emerging and seasoned filmmakers to translate complex scientific ideas into captivating narratives. This year’s theme, “Halik sa Lupa” (Kiss of the Earth), is a poetic yet urgent call to reexamine the intimate relationship between soil, life, and humanity.

From Seed to Story: 120 Entries, 10 Finalists

From a remarkable 120 entries nationwide, ten films have emerged as the official finalists—works that weave together soil science, indigenous ecological wisdom, and sustainable practices. Divided into Youth and Open Categories, these films prove that science is not confined to laboratories; it thrives in farms, forests, and even in the collective memory of communities.

Youth Category Finalists

Abo’t Ani – Directed by Eula Frances A. Macabodbod (Valencia National High School)

Lupang Hinirang – Directed by Lawrence C. Delos Santos (Labrador National High School)

Panagtubo: Ang Kwento ng Buhay na Lupa – Directed by Areli Joanna A. Asuncion (Tuguegarao City Science High School)

Punso – Directed by Maria Felicitti S. Sta. Catalina (Rizal National Science High School)

Soil Biodiversity: Buhay sa Ilalim, Bumubuhay sa Ibabaw – Directed by Bernice Shayne M. Dela Cruz (Pasig City Science High School)

Open Category Finalists

Damayan – Directed by Celine R. Murillo

Hinubog ng Lupa – Directed by Angelo Gabriel F. Cortes

Munting Yaman – Directed by Raymond B. Balagosa

Sa Duta sang Kabuhi – Directed by Steve C. Villasor

Tabi-Tabi Po – Directed by James Mark Caponpon

A Cinematic Pilgrimage Across the Nation

The finalists will premiere from October 7 to 11, 2025, at the Cinematheque Centre Bacolod, a venue that itself has been a hub for independent cinema in the Visayas. To widen accessibility, simultaneous free screenings will also run at Cinematheque Centres in Davao, Nabunturan, and Iloilo, ensuring that science cinema reaches audiences beyond Manila.

And for Filipinos everywhere, all films will be available for free streaming via JuanFlix (juanflix.com.ph) from October 12 to 31, 2025. Viewers can register on the platform not only to watch but also to vote for their favorite entry, making the competition an interactive experience where the public has a voice.

More Than Films: A Call to Protect the Ground Beneath Our Feet

The theme “Halik sa Lupa” resonates deeply at a time when the planet faces soil degradation, food insecurity, and the decline of traditional ecological knowledge. The films are expected to highlight soil biodiversity, sustainable farming, and indigenous practices—topics that remind us of the delicate balance between human survival and the earth’s natural systems.

Awaiting the Verdict

Winners of the 9th Indie-Siyensya will be revealed in November 2025, an announcement eagerly awaited by science advocates, educators, and filmmakers. But long before the awards are handed out, the real triumph lies in how these films will spark dialogue, inspire curiosity, and awaken Filipinos to the science of the very ground we walk on.

As the screenings approach, Indie-Siyensya once again proves that when art and science meet, the result is not just a film—but a movement.

How Digital Libraries Fit Seamlessly into Tech-Savvy Lives

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The shift from shelves to screens

Books have always carried a certain weight in daily life. Stacks of them once filled homes and offices. Now they live inside phones and laptops. A story that once needed paper and ink is now a few taps away. Digital libraries have turned reading into a habit that fits anywhere. A bus ride a lunch break or even the quiet before sleep can become a doorway to a new chapter.

These collections also change the way people stumble upon unexpected stories. Exploring Z lib often gives readers the chance to find hidden gems tucked between classics and modern titles. That discovery brings back the old joy of wandering through aisles but without the dust or heavy lifting. The sense of exploration stays alive while convenience takes center stage.

Everyday life with a pocket-sized library

Carrying a library in a pocket is no longer a figure of speech. Students walk to class with research papers stored on their phones. Travelers board planes with a dozen novels queued up. Parents read bedtime stories from tablets without turning on the lamp. This quiet presence of digital collections makes reading feel natural rather than forced.

Digital libraries are not just replacements for print. They reshape routines. An early riser can skim through articles before the coffee cools. A shift worker can read during odd hours without worrying about a bookstore being closed. These habits reveal how seamlessly technology blends into the rhythm of life without making a fuss about it.

Why these collections keep growing

The growth of digital libraries rests on more than convenience. They allow sharing without borders. A book uploaded in one city can be read in another in seconds. This creates a shared cultural moment that no single shelf could hold.

The appeal also lies in flexibility. A reader can adjust text size change fonts or even switch languages. That freedom turns every book into a personal copy tuned to fit a specific need.

The sense of control makes reading less of a chore and more of a choice. This mix of access and comfort is why these libraries stay popular:

● A flexible study tool

For students or lifelong learners these collections remove barriers. Research once meant hours in a library digging through catalogs. Now it can happen in a café with Wi-Fi. Instead of carrying a backpack full of references one can keep thousands ofs ources on a small device. The ability to search highlight and organize notes across books also adds a layer of efficiency. This makes study sessions less about logistics and more about ideas.

● A bridge between cultures

Books have always been windows into other lives. Digital collections widen those windows. Translations appear quickly and readers can shift between languages without leaving the page. This exposure breaks down walls and builds empathy. A novel from one side of the world can influence conversations on the other side. Stories move freely and with them so do perspectives.

● A place for rediscovery

Many titles once went out of print and gathered dust in archives. Now they return to circulation. Readers can reconnect with old favorites or discover works that would otherwise remain forgotten. The act of pulling an obscure title into the present NRE Athens new life into literature. It also preserves cultural memory for futureg enerations.

The combination of flexibility culture and rediscovery keeps digital libraries in constant motion. They adapt to new needs while honoring old traditions.

Reading in step with technology

Digital libraries show how quietly technology slips into daily life. They do not shout for attention. Instead they sit in the background waiting for a spare moment. This low key role makes them sustainable. A device already used for work or leisure also carries a bookshelf. That kind of overlap means reading is no longer a separate act but part of a bigger flow.

Books in digital form will not replace the comfort of paper entirely. Yet they offer a parallel path that feels just as rich. The hum of a train the buzz of a café or the glow of a bedside screen all become natural reading spots. Stories move with people not against them. That balance between old and new is what makes digital libraries feel less like a revolution and more like a companion that fits right into modern life. 

Cembrunaysia's Climate Stance: A Balancing Act of Progress and Pragmatism

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

This was a simulation exercise for media professionals reporting on a UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies meeting. Based on the provided documents, we had to formulate the tasks outlined for our "team of journalists."

Our task was to produce a 500-600 word article or broadcast script for our national outlet, acting as a media team reporting on the meeting. This should broadly support our Cambrunaysia government's position, but with a tone of constructive critique.

Our Group Submission:

Cambrunaysia Links Climate Action to Economic Transition, Calls for $100 Billion Finance at COP

Byline: Group2 Staff

Bonn, 5 July 2025

Cambrunaysia, a lower-middle-income Southeast Asian nation, used this week’s UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies meeting in Bonn to highlight how its economic future is tightly bound with the pace of global climate action.

Delivering the country’s official statement, Dr. Surya Mahathana, Minister for Environment, Climate Affairs and Ecological Transition, pointed to a 32 percent rise in renewable energy capacity since 2015, much of it in the last 18 months, and the establishment of a national carbon trading framework aligned with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement which outlines the commitment to keep global temperature rise to under 1.5C.

Yet the minister acknowledged that coal still generates over 40% of the country’s electricity, making energy security a recurring concern. “We are committed to phasing out coal,” Dr. Mahathana said, “but we must do so in a way that safeguards our people’s livelihoods and sustains industrial growth.” When asked to comment, Mahathana emphasises the need to “move away from coal”.

Economy at the Core of Climate Debate

Cambrunaysia’s $320 billion economy is driven by textiles, agriculture, and extractive industries such as coal and bauxite. While the government has launched large-scale renewable energy auctions and invested in community-based adaptation programs that have already reached over 100,000 households, fossil fuel subsidies remain politically sensitive.

Analysts say this tension—between economic dependence on coal and the ambition to expand clean energy—captures the broader challenge facing many developing economies.

Call for Climate Finance

Cambrunaysia joined other developing nations in calling on industrialized countries to honor their long-overdue $100 billion annual climate finance pledge. Officials stressed that without scaled-up finance and technology transfer, it will be impossible to meet both climate and development targets.

“Flexibility in timelines is essential,” Dr. Mahathana noted, “particularly for countries like ours that must balance climate ambition with urgent developmental realities.”

Civil Society Scientific Pressure

Domestically, environmental NGOs and youth movements are becoming increasingly vocal about coal dependence. Shweta, a civil society representative states that the policies do not take into account indigenous voices and more transparency is needed. “We are not against development, but it must take place in the right and fair manner,” she noted.

Gunjan Jain, a scientist present at the event emphasises that not all renewables may always be the most ideal solution to supply Cambrunysia’s energy needs. She adds, “solar and hydropower [may not] have emissions but the extractive nature is still a point of contention.”

Regional and Global Position

As a member of the G77 and Non-Aligned Movement, Cambrunaysia emphasized equity and “common but differentiated responsibilities.” It works closely with ASEAN partners but remains cautious of alignment with Western blocs.

Observers say Cambrunaysia’s intervention in Bonn signals a growing determination among middle-income countries to link climate ambition directly with economic justice.

My personal attempt if I did it as an independent non-profit one-man media team:

Bonn, July 2025 – Cembrunaysia’s delegation, led by Minister for Environment, Climate Affairs and Ecological Transition Dr. Surya Mahathana, presented a statement at the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies (SBs) meeting, reaffirming the nation's commitment to the Paris Agreement. The statement highlighted significant progress in renewable energy and adaptation, but a leaked document and skepticism from observer groups suggest the path forward is complex.

The official statement lauded a 32% increase in renewable energy capacity since 2015, and the provision of climate-based adaptation programs to over 100,000 households. The government also noted its commitment to a carbon trading framework under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. This progress aligns with the nation's "low-income coastal nation" status and its ambition to transition away from fossil fuels.

However, a leaked document reveals a more nuanced reality. It suggests the government is delaying its planned coal phase-out due to "energy security concerns." This has drawn sharp criticism from several fronts, including civil society and scientific groups.

Critical Voices Challenge National Stance

The Civil Society Coalition, which includes indigenous and youth representatives, expressed deep concern, stating that continued subsidies for fossil fuels and a slow pace of coal phase-out are "completely incompatible" with the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Indigenous groups also highlighted a worrying trend of increased mining activity on their lands for energy projects, while youth leaders accused the government of using "energy security" as an excuse for inaction.

The Scientific Advisory Group to the UNFCCC offered a similar critique, noting that Cembrunaysia's current emissions trajectory is "not aligned" with the Global Stocktake benchmarks. They called for more transparency on the government’s implementation pathways and enforcement mechanisms. The group's statement casts doubt on the credibility of Cembrunaysia's 2050 net-zero pledge.

A Call for Clearer Pathways

While the government's official stance emphasizes its unique developmental challenges as a developing country, these criticisms underscore the need for greater clarity and more ambitious action. Other developing nations in similar economic situations have taken more aggressive stances on climate action. A delegate from a Pacific Island nation poignantly asked, "If you say you can’t move faster, how do you expect us to survive?"

To maintain its credibility on the global stage, Cembrunaysia must bridge the gap between its stated commitments and its on-the-ground policies. This includes addressing the concerns raised about fossil fuel subsidies and providing a clearer, more ambitious timeline for its coal phase-out.

The government's call for increased international support for technology transfer and capacity building is a key part of its strategy. However, to effectively secure this support, it will likely need to demonstrate a stronger, more transparent commitment to its own national climate goals, ensuring that its actions match its rhetoric. The future of Cembrunaysia’s climate strategy lies in finding a realistic and transparent pathway that both ensures energy security and protects the planet for future generations.

***This does not include the supposed interviews with the different stakeholders and the government. 

The social media promotion. All were uploaded on a Google drive to be opened by the workshop facilitators.