EIFF REVIEW: Balikbayan an uplifting documentary with heart

Edmontonian Jon Jon Rivero made a promise at his father’s deathbed – that he would discover his roots in the Philippines.

Jon Jon’s trip was an epic journey of meaningful service that has consumed much of his life, and led to the eloquent documentary film seeing its world premiere at the Edmonton International Film Festival: Balikbayan: From Victims to Survivors (“Balikbayan” is a Tagalong word referring to people who have returned to the Philippines after a long period abroad).

Four years after his father’s death, Rivero travelled to his homeland as a beat-boxer with a hip hop a performance troupe. He was horrified by what he saw. The streets were filled with children with no adults to look after them.

“Literally hundreds and hundreds of them – some of them with no clothes, some were naked, some didn’t have limbs – whole villages of kids looking after kids.”

Between performances Rivero began to teach beat-boxing.

“They would look at me and would not only repeat the beat back, they would make it better. I was just amazed how talented the kids were.”

Thus began an odyssey that has resulted in numerous returns to the land of his ancestors – by establishing an international cultural exchange with music, sports, martial arts, just plain youthful silliness and self-expression, to find for a lost generation, new life. In some cases, using local dances and music, he was introducing these children to their own forgotten culture.

Over the years, Rivero has attracted a number of volunteers from all over the world. They brought their own knowledge while adding a professional sheen.

“You can’t teach family,” Rivero says. “You have to live it.”

The filmmaker enlisted the help of two friends: Bernie Hernando and Rob Hillistead, to assist in shooting, editing and writing. The result is guerilla filmmaking at its best. Using the most basic of cameras, the group has created a fluid eventful movie that demonstrates considerable filmmaking skills and a natural ability to put an accessible and just plain interesting movie together. The only problem I could detect is a little tighter editing of the content might have prevented some repetition.

We follow the troupe as they use various techniques, many often made up on the spot. The children are featured as the group trots out demonstrations of hip hop in parades and public appearances. They creat a slick-looking video.

We are subjected to an endless stream of messages on television asking for money and showing people in distress. This one is different. Balikbayan is not a pitch for money (although they probably wouldn’t turn away any financial assistance). Filipinos are a handsome people given to exuberant self-expression and generally upbeat philosophic qualities that are certainly mirrored by the orphans. Balikbayan is resolutely life-affirming and positive throughout.

There are moments here that grip the heart. One of the most disturbing comes in 2007 when Typhoon Yolanda struck Tacloban, Leyte. Yolanda was one of the most powerful typhoons ever – leaving 6,300 dead in its wake. You will not soon forget the sight of so many children clustered on the corrugated roof of a building. The camera is right there with them.

“You could see the water coming up to the level of the roof,” remembers one young child. ”I thought I was going to die.” Another recalls, “I tried to help a friend but someone told me she was already dead.”

Collecting a group of friends and experts, Rivero immediately went to the stricken city and began a “creative intervention.” Many of the children experienced advanced trauma and guilt, so the group developed a mantra repeated over and over: “I am a good person. It was not my fault.”

The film does not gloss over the events to present a shellacked version of life. The street is never far away and many of the children are stressed. Even the adult participants express some reservations.

Says one, “I began to feel ‘who was I to think that I could affect the lives of these people?’ What difference was I actually making?”

A lot, apparently – if we are to believe this ultimately uplifting and optimistic documentary. Says one participant, “We were young, naive and nothing seemed impossible.” Observes Rivero, “The film was 13 years in the making. This is a lifelong project. I felt that I could always go back to the life I had before but I knew in my heart that this was what I was born to do”

Balikbayan: From Victims to Survivors screens one more time on Saturday, Oct. 10 at noon in the Landmark Cinemas 9 City Centre.