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#IWitness15: "You're just a storyteller." -Kara David
After producing countless documentaries for “I-Witness,” Kara David definitely has a story or two about her own adventures -- but she insists that these take a backseat compared to the pressing issues she and her co-hosts are trying to raise.
Since joining the roster of top-caliber I-Witness documentarists in 2002, Kara David has produced life-changing docus, some of which have garnered international acclaim. “Paraisong Uhaw” (2010) snagged the New York Festivals bronze medal while “Ambulansyang de Paa” (2009) earned her and the network a George Foster Peabody Award.
In the month-long celebration of I-Witness’ 15th anniversary, we offer you a rare glimpse of what happens behind the camera -- a taste of our hosts’ own adventures.
Since joining the roster of top-caliber I-Witness documentarists in 2002, Kara David has produced life-changing docus, some of which have garnered international acclaim. “Paraisong Uhaw” (2010) snagged the New York Festivals bronze medal while “Ambulansyang de Paa” (2009) earned her and the network a George Foster Peabody Award.
In the month-long celebration of I-Witness’ 15th anniversary, we offer you a rare glimpse of what happens behind the camera -- a taste of our hosts’ own adventures.
Follow Kara David’s story here:
“Ang Huling Mambabatok," July 2010. For many generations, Kalinga has kept its prized art of tattooing, known locally as “pagbabatok.” Kara David and her team seek the old woman known as Whang Od, the oldest mambabatok of Kalinga, but along the way, they also discover that rather than for tradition or culture, tattooing is now seen as a lucrative means to earn.
"Kakambal ng Kawayan," January 2011. Kara David followed the only woman bamboo cutter of a village in Maasin, Iloilo, where her story of sacrifice is not new to a village where poverty abounds. The bamboo they cut are sold to manufacturers and are in turn used for everyday items such as barbecue sticks.
"Gintong Putik," May 2011. Kara David takes a deep breath before trying out compressor mining in Paracale, Camarines Norte. There, she reconnects with Jimmy, a 26-year old miner she met 13 years ago, to catch-up and try to mine for gold herself. The documentary went on to win a Certificate for Creative Excellence at the 2012 U.S. International Film and Video Festival.
69th Annual Peabody Awards, May 2011. New York City. Earning for I-Witness and for the country its second Peabody Award -- the most prestigious award in the field of broadcasting -- is Kara David’s “Ambulansyang de Paa.” It documented the hardships of the Mangyan people who do not have immediate access to medical services. With Kara is Director Nowell Cuanang and Executive Producer Lloyd Navera.
“Liwanag sa Dilim," December 2011. The Mangyan people of Mindoro have always occupied a special place in Kara David’s heart. After doing two documentaries about their plight, one of which is the Peabody award-winning “Ambulansyang de Paa,” Kara returned in 2011 to give back to the community by donating solar panels and LED lights, finally giving them access to electricity.
"Sahod Lampin," March 2012. All aboard on the rails of Quezon Province! The documentary tackles the underground system of adoption where right after birth, infants are given up by their parents, never to see them again.
"Tubbataha: Binhi ng Karagatan," May 2012. Director Anna Isabelle Matutina follows a manta ray in the middle of Sulu Sea. The documentary tells the story of volunteers and marine rangers who guard the area, known to be in the center of the world’s most diverse marine sanctuary, for illegal fishermen and poachers.
“Say Kimchi!," December 2012. With the growing popularity of Korean culture in the Philippines and in the world, Kara travels to Korea to learn more about one of South Korea’s cultural symbols: kimchi. There, they learn that there’s more to kimchi than what meets the senses.
“Daang Bakal," January 2013. Kara David and her I-Witness team onboard a coach used in the Bataan Death March. The documentary traced the lost railroad system in the country which once served as the primary mode of transportation of Filipinos.
“Ba Be Bi Boto”, April 2013. As part of I-Witness’ election series, Kara David and her team visited the Aetas of Zambales, who vote using their thumbprints because they are illiterate. There she meets Malou, a teacher and an Aeta herself, who devotes her time and energy to teach the Aetas how to read and write, and in turn, avoid being used by enterprising election fraudsters.
“Lihim ng mga Lumang Tulay," May 2013. For 300 years, the Spanish has ruled over the Philippines and it is said that it was through swords and the Cross that they conquered the archipelago. However, it is through bridges and the secrets that they keep, that paved the way for their colonial rule.
"Minsan sa Isang Taon," June 2013. Rose among thorns: Kara and her intrepid team had to be escorted by the military as they scaled up the mountains of Malapatan, Sarangani. There, they documented the powerful story of one family, who gets to eat rice -- a Filipino staple food -- only once a year.
"Langis sa Tubig," July 2013. Quezon Province in the eastern seaboard of Luzon is known for its large plantations of coconut, but in a river in the province, a valuable waste comes out of huge pipes: processed water that yields precious oil.
“Alkansya," October 2013. Kara David's "Alkansya" was nominated at the 2013 International Emmy Awards for News and Documentary, a first for a Public Affairs show from the Philippines to be included in this distinction.
"Sa Piling ng mga Ulap," Mt. Apo, December 2013. Kara David and her team checks out some sulfur deposits on their way to the peak of Mt. Apo. Despite having reached the summit of different mountains like Mt. Fuji in Japan and Mt. Olympus in Greece, Kara admits climbing Mt. Apo is a much greater challenge.
I-Witness airs every Saturday, 10:30 PM, on GMA-7. For more information about the show, follow I-Witness on Facebook and Twitter. ---Irvin Cortez and Princess Daquigan/BMS/ARP
