Date of Publication

3-27-2025

Document Type

Bachelor's Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts Major in Communication Arts

Subject Categories

Film and Media Studies

College

College of Liberal Arts

Department/Unit

Communication

Thesis Advisor

Clodualdo A. del Mundo Jr.

Defense Panel Chair

Jan Michael Alexendre C. Bernadas

Defense Panel Member

Abigail Ehlie Quirong-Pole
Marie Luz D. Mamawal
Danzen Santos Katanyag

Abstract/Summary

Pagsibol is a short film that boldly reclaims the narratives of resilience, defiance, and love that transcend time. Through non-linear structured narrative, the film illustrates the unbreakable spirit of queer individuals who dare to exist authentically against the odds. Queer identities in the Philippines have long been subjected to scrutiny, leading to a continuous struggle, within the LGBTQ+ community, for genuine acceptance beyond mere tolerance.

The story follows Mikael, a non-binary individual who returns to their rural hometown after the passing of their devout Catholic grandmother, Amalia. Amidst their grief, Mikael uncovers a series of hidden letters that reveal Amalia’s secret relationship with a fellow nun, Clarita. What was once buried away by fear and repression resurfaces as an enduring testament to the power of love and resistance. As Mikael pieces together their grandmother’s hidden past, they find themselves confronting their own struggles with identity, acceptance, and even faith. In Amalia’s silent defiance, Mikael discovers a legacy of courage that empowers them to embrace their authentic self.

By intertwining past and present narratives, Pagsibol highlights the cyclical nature of oppression and resilience in the queer experience. It aims to dismantle the narrow and often stereotypical portrayals of LGBTQ+ individuals in Philippine media— advocating for more nuanced and diverse representation, especially of non-binary and sapphic narratives. More than a critique, this short film is a reclamation— an assertion that queerness and faith are not mutually exclusive, but rather interconnected in the deeply personal journey of self-discovery.

Abstract Format

html

Language

Filipino

Format

Electronic

Keywords

Short films—Production and direction; Sexual minorities--Philippines; Sexual minorities—Identity

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Embargo Period

4-4-2026

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Available for download on Saturday, April 04, 2026

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