DESPITE attempts by the Chinese government to block its screening, “Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea,” a documentary by UST journalism alumna Baby Ruth Villarama, won the Tides of Change Award at the Doc Edge Festival 2025 in New Zealand on July 3.
The documentary tackles the issues of sovereignty and the dispute over the West Philippine Sea through the lens of Filipino fishermen and personnel from the Philippine Navy, the Philippine Marine Corps. and the Philippine Coast Guard.
The win means Food Delivery is automatically considered for an Oscar run in 2026.
In an earlier interview with the Varsitarian, Villarama expressed hope that the documentary would train the spotlight on those at the frontlines of the maritime conflict.
“As Thomasians, we are taught to seek the truth and to stand for what is right. I hope Food Delivery reminds viewers of the strength and resilience of the Filipino spirit,” she said.
“More importantly, I hope it encourages us to be more critical, engaged, and compassionate because the struggles of our fishermen, soldiers, and communities at sea are not just their struggles — they are ours.”
Food Delivery’s showings and competition submissions had been rife with controversy.
In March, the documentary was pulled out from the 2025 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival, a move described by the Directors’ Guild of the Philippines, Inc. as an attempt to “supress the truth.”
Doc Edge Festival said in a statement on Saturday that the Chinese government told organizers not to screen the film, claiming that it was “rife with disinformation” and “false propaganda.”
The tilt rejected the request to maintain “independence” and “curatorial freedom.”
Villarama, whose debut film “Sunday Beauty Queen” became the first documentary to win Best Picture at the Metro Manila Film Festival, urged viewers to see the film not just as a documentary but a call to action.
“This film is not just a documentary. It is a call to remember who we are as a people,” she said.
