Documentary shows better, peaceful Sulu

For hundreds of years, Sulu has been held hostage by poverty and instability brought about by the seemingly infinite war between the rebel groups and the Armed Forces. Many deemed it one of the scariest places in the Philippines. But through the many years of suffering, the people of Sulu are now slowly seeing hope. This is what the the documentary film “Sulu" aims to show Filipinos and the rest of the world. Directed by Al Jacinto, editor-in-chief of The Mindanao Examiner and contributor to GMANews.TV, the film tells of young writer Arthur Sakaluran Abasalo who is born of a Muslim mother taking a trip to Sulu despite the dangers posed by Muslim rebels. While there, Abasalo sees how changed the province is, with its livelihood opportunities, increased efficiency in the health and education sectors, progressive tourism, and above all, peace and order. In the film, Abasalo narrates how delighted he is to see this progress in Sulu. “Iba na ngayon. Iba na pala. Nakita ko yung mga tao malaki na ang pinagbago. Yung mga mahihirap nabibigyan na ng biyaya (It’s different now. I saw how people changed. The poor are given more opportunities)," he says. Talking to the locals and taking walks around town, he witnesses how the once conflict-stricken province is taking a turn for the better. “Masayang-masaya ako dahil nakita ko ang pag-unlad ng Sulu (I am very happy to see the progress of Sulu)," he says. “Sulu" was first shown at the Kontra-Agos Resistance Film Festival held in 2007 at Robinsons Galleria. It was also also an entry in the “Cinema Rehiyon 2010: Alter Nativo", which showcased the works of emerging filmmakers from various provinces in the Philippines. - Edzelle Peña/loqal.ph/KBK, GMANews.TV