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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Estrada slams China's attempt to block West PH Sea documentary at New Zealand film fest

Estrada slams China's attempt to block West PH Sea documentary at New Zealand film fest

Published Jul 11, 2025 10:50 am

At A Glance

  • Sen. Jinggoy Estrada said the recognition of the Filipino documentary "Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea" at a prestigious film festival in New Zealand is "a striking example of turning the tide—a resounding victory for truth, artistic freedom and our people's stories, especially in the face of foreign pressure."
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada slammed China’s attempt to block the screening of the Filipino documentary “Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea” shown at a film festival held in New Zealand.
This was after the Chinese Consulate General in Auckland asked the organizers of the festival to cancel further screenings of the documentary film for fear it could “mislead” the public by showing the movie. However, 
organizers of the film festival refused to accede to China's request saying it is standing by its principles, independence and curatorial freedom.
The documentary won the Tides of Change Award in New Zealand’s Doc Edge Festival. It featured the work of Filipino fisherfolk and coast guard in the West Philippine Sea.
“It’s deeply disappointing that Baby Ruth Villarama’s film, originally slated to premiere at a local festival earlier this year, was abruptly withdrawn due to vague ‘external factors’,” said Estrada in a statement on Friday, July 11.
“Even more frustrating is that it took an international festival to give this film the platform it rightfully deserves—calling it ‘a banned film that must be seen’,” said the senator.
Estrada was referring to the incident last March, where “Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea” was removed from the PureGold CinePanalo Film Festival due to alleged “external factors.”
But months later, the documentary film won big at Doc Edge—an Oscar qualifying film festival and where entries can be considered for an Academy Award.
Estrada said the recognition of the said documentary at a prestigious film festival in New Zealand is “a striking example of turning the tide—a resounding victory for truth, artistic freedom and our people’s stories, especially in the face of foreign pressure.”
“While I join other officials in condemning China’s attempt to suppress the film’s screening at Doc Edge, I also call on our own government to reflect on a deeper concern: how much influence does China hold in our own backyard, that it can interfere with the constitutionally protected freedom of expression of our kababayans?” the senator pointed out.
“This is not just a film—it is a courageous, heartfelt portrayal of the harsh realities faced by our fisherfolk, maritime workers, and scientists. It deserves to be seen, discussed, and honored, especially by Filipinos,” he further said.
Estrada said he finds it disturbing that in the Philippines, a foreign power has the ability to prevent the release of a documentary based on truth.
“I stand in full solidarity with the filmmakers and everyone behind ‘Food Delivery’—for weathering the storm, standing their ground, and courageously sharing with the world a deeply personal and urgent story about our nation and our people,” the lawmaker stressed.

Related Tags

Food Delivery jinggoy estrada West Philippine Sea China Coast Guard New Zealand China Filipino documentary film
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