Date of Publication

12-2025

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

Kristoffer G. Brugada

Defense Panel Member

Rupert Jiel D. Cao
Dempster Samarista
Martin Vidanes

Abstract (English)

With Rodrigo Duterte completing his term in 2022 and succeeded by Bongbong Marcos, it seemed that the Philippines had largely forgotten the drug war he left behind. The truth of the matter is: the effects of the drug war remain—the victims of extrajudicial killings have not received their justice.

Sa Tabi ng Ilog is a 20-minute narrative short film that follows Joaquin, a teenage boy whose life is indirectly but profoundly affected by the drug war, as he discovers the lifeless body of Kuya Arnold—a kind tricycle driver, and the father of his best friend Sandra. While Joaquin is not directly part of Kuya Arnold and Sandra’s story, he serves as the central character to show how, in one way or another, every Filipino is touched by the drug war.

By focusing on the lived experiences of ordinary citizens, the film underscores the structural nature of apathy and how it is transmitted across generations. The short film invites reflection on the human cost of political violence and the potential to break cycles of indifference in contemporary Philippine society. Sa Tabi ng Ilog does not sensationalize violence; rather, it examines how ideologies are internalized and challenged. Set in a riverside barangay, the film uses naturalistic cinematography and lighting, along with long, deliberate takes, to portray the normalization of violence and the enduring humanity of everyday life.

Abstract Format

html

Abstract (Filipino)

Sa pagtatapos ng termino ni Rodrigo Duterte noong 2022 at sa paghalal ng bagong pangulo na si Ferdinand Marcos Jr., tila nakalimutan na ng Pilipinas ang Drug War ng nakaraang administrasyon. Ang katotohanan ay ang mga epekto ng Drug War ay nananatil—ang mga biktima ay hindi pa nagkakaroon ng hustisya.

Sa Tabi ng Ilog ay isang maikling pelikulang na sinusundan and kuwento ni Joaquin, isang binatang hindi direktang naaapektuhan ng Drug War ang kaniyang buhay, hanggang sa pagtuklas ng binata sa bangkay ni Kuya Arnold—isang mabuting tagapagmaneho ng tricycle at ang ama ng matalik niyang kaibigan, si Sandra. Habang si Joaquin ay hindi direktang sangkot sa kuwento ng mag ama, siya ay importanteng tauhan upang ipakitang lahat ng Pilipino ay apektado sa Drug War.

Sa pamamagitan ng pagtutok sa mga karanasan ng mga ordinaryong mamamayan, binibigyang-diin ng pelikula ang katangian ng apathy at kung paano ito naipapasa sa mga susunod na henerasyon. Ang kuwento ay inaanyang suriin ang human cost ng pampulitikang karahasan at posibilidad na tapusin ang nakasanayang apathy sa kontemporaryong lipunan. Hindi pinalulubha ng Sa Tabi ng Ilog ang karahasan; sa halip, pinag-aaralan nito ang proseso ng pag-internalisa at pagharap sa umiiral na mga ideolohiya. Sa tabing-ilog ng barangay, ang pelikula ay gumagamit ng natural na cinematography at ilaw, kasama ang mahaba, sinasadyang pagkuha, upang ilarawan ang normalisasyon ng karahasan at ang nagtatagal na sangkatauhan sa pang-araw-araw na buhay.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Keywords

Short films--Philippines

Upload Full Text

wf_yes

Embargo Period

12-4-2027

Download

Available for download on Saturday, December 04, 2027

Share

COinS