"Memoirs of a Teenage Rebel," produced by RCP Production and directed by Robin Padilla, is a documentary that follows the character of Ivy as she reveals her dark past as a former rebel in the New People’s Army (NPA).
It begins from her recruitment, to her rise as being one of the leaders of the NPA. However, her life changes when she is tasked to recruit a new member – a student named Ira.
They unexpectedly become best friends and Ira is eventually persuaded to join the NPA. Once within the organization though, Ira begins to witness the horrors – and be the victim of – the NPA.
She is raped multiple times, the revelation of which disheartens Ivy. Both start to slowly lose their belief in the organization, which is aggravated by them witnessing the rampant corruption within the organization.
One night, they are handed a mission to ambush a military officer. It would be Ira's first and would fulfill the NPA’s murderous initiation rite.
But what was considered an easy mission turns into a bloody battle, with Ira dying in Ivy’s arms. This finally awakens Ivy into realizing that she’s fighting the wrong war.
Ivy then comes out on this documentary to tell her story, in her own words, and to give advice to the youth: to not follow the same path she and Ira did.
Other supporting interviewees for the documentary include:
- A former female NPA urban poor recruiter who was sexually abused while in the organization.
- A recruiter who manipulates the farmers and the indigenous people.
- An NPA extortionist who explains their violent ways of extorting money from businesses nationwide.
- A former NGO finance officer for the CPP NPA who explains the process of how they get international funding through exploitation.
- Tribal leaders of the indigenous people who express their fear from being oppressed by the rebels.
- Captured rebels that were unharmed and were given a new chance for a better life.
- A mother that is still searching for her teenage daughter who is assumed to have joined the rebellion.
- A Catholic priest who explains the value of parents spending time with their children to avoid possible recruitment.
Others who confirmed these facts were: General Cirilito Sobejana, the Commanding General of Philippine Army;
General Gilbert Gapay, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines; and Hermogenes Esperon, National Security Adviser and Director. General of the National Security Council.
RCP Production, which stands for Robin Cariño Padilla Productions is a Philippine production company focused on quality storytelling, documentaries and films.
Founded by Mr. Robinhood Padilla, the actor-director and one of the sought-after endorsers in the Philippines was involved from concept stage, editing up to post-production.
RCP Production has produced numerous films and documentaries that best represent the culture and current situation in the Philippines.