The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has recently bestowed the Ani ng Dangal Award to the eye-opening documentary on plastic waste entitled ALON (WAVE).
As Alon has garnered top prizes at the prestigious 2020 London International Film Festival, the Ani distinction pays tribute to the Filipino artists whose talent and craftsmanship have earned international accolades from established and respected institutions.
ALON, written and directed by multi-awarded filmmaker and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) School of Design and Arts Faculty Gabriel Fernandez, triumphed at the Science and Education category at the 2020 London International Film Festival held in the United Kingdom. Alon was likewise nominated as the Best Foreign Language Documentary and Best Director of Foreign Language Documentary in the London competition.
The annual week-long event celebrates the global independent film industry through a series ofpremieres and screenings to highlightthe most promising independent and studio films from around the world, plus professional lectures, workshops and financing seminars.
Produced by DLS-CSB through the then Office of the Vice President for Advancement and Center for Campus Art (CCA), ALON aims to create awareness on the immense impact of plastic pollution by presenting the contrast between the wonders of the Philippines’ growing surf tourism and its relationship with the looming environmental problem.
The documentary projects the issue through the lenses of the local surfers as eco-warriors whodo their best to save the environment in their own ways. It features breathtaking views of the six leading surfing communities in the country, namely, Siargao, La Union, Baler, Mati in Davao, Gubat in Sorsogon and Sabang Daguitan in Leyte, where plastic from packaged goods resurface to the ocean shores.
ALONhas made waves in the local scene. First seen as a part of the eponymous exhibition Alon !installed at the college, it was showcased in various schools, such as the Jaime Hilario School-De La Salle Bataan, La Salle Green Hills, University of Saint La Salle Bacolod and De La Salle Lipa.
It has likewise commenced its pilgrimagewith a premiere at the Lola Sayong Eco Surf Camp in Gubat, Sorsogon and other featured surfing communities to honor the eco-warriors.
In collaboration with the Unites States Embassy in the Philippines and SM Cares Foundation, the internationally acclaimed docu was screened as part of the 2020 Virtual Green Film Festival in October 2020 in celebration of World Maritime Day.