‘Food Delivery’ is a love letter from fishermen, says Baby Ruth Villarama

A powerful new documentary, "Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea," is making waves, offering an unflinching look into the daily lives and struggles of Filipino fishermen and dedicated frontline defenders. Directed by Baby Ruth Villarama, the film spotlights their fight for the nation's sovereign rights, illustrating the immense risks they face to secure their livelihoods and deliver vital aid to coastal communities, often with insufficient government backing.

Director Villarama describes her work not just as a film, but as a profound "love letter" from these resilient fisherfolk. It's a heartfelt plea for increased awareness and concrete action, carrying a fierce message from the very individuals who tirelessly provide sustenance for the country.

The journey of "Food Delivery" to the screen has been anything but smooth. Initially, it faced a significant setback when it was abruptly pulled from the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival in March 2025, just two days before its planned debut. However, this early hurdle was merely a prelude to its eventual triumph.

Despite the domestic challenge, the documentary garnered international acclaim, winning the prestigious Tides of Change award at the Doc Edge Festival in Auckland, New Zealand, in July. That same month, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) in the Philippines officially approved its public exhibition with a Parental Guidance (PG) rating. By late July, it began limited cinema runs, expanding to nationwide screenings by mid-August.

Villarama's mission to unveil the truth about the harassment faced by Filipino fishermen and defenders from Chinese Coast Guards in the West Philippine Sea naturally invited controversy. She recounted the burdensome government bureaucracy they endured, including requests for permits demanding a list of 200 crew members, despite only seven actually sailing with the fishermen. "The hardest part is the government bureaucracy," she shared, "When you ask for a permit, you’re treated worse than China — they see you as the enemy."

The film also encountered significant censorship attempts. Villarama revealed facing discouragement from fellow Filipinos who feared the project might escalate tensions with Chinese forces. Internationally, the Chinese Consulate-General in Auckland even tried to pressure the Doc Edge Festival to remove the documentary, labeling it "false propaganda" and a "political tool." True to its principles, the festival steadfastly rejected this demand.

The documentary starkly portrays scenes of Chinese naval forces intimidating and chasing small Filipino fishing boats and patrols, even resorting to water cannons. It meticulously documents the Chinese Coast Guard’s defiance of the 2016 UN South China Sea Arbitration ruling, which reaffirmed the Philippines' sovereign rights. As Villarama aptly put it, this is "a film that China doesn’t want you to see," underscoring its critical importance for audiences worldwide, especially Filipinos.

The inspiration for "Food Delivery" ignited in 2023 amid escalating confrontations between Chinese and Philippine patrols, including the widely reported pursuit of fisherman Ka Arnel Satang. Frustration mounted as some government officials, like then Sagip Party-list Representative Rodante Marcoleta, dismissed the West Philippine Sea as merely "a figment of our imagination." These moments ignited an activist spirit in Villarama, who declared, "As an artist, you become an activist."

This unwavering motivation fueled the production as the team witnessed firsthand the harsh realities faced by fishermen, not just from external threats but also years of perceived government neglect. Trixie Concepcion of Earth Island Institute Asia-Pacific highlighted a stark contrast, noting that Vietnam's government actively organizes and protects its fishermen, even providing financial aid for damaged boats, a "different aura from our situation." Villarama views the film as a crucial weapon in the "war of narratives," essential for upholding truth and countering misinformation, especially when Chinese forces attempt to portray Filipino fishermen as environmental destroyers.

Beyond truth-telling, the film aims to inspire meaningful action by making the West Philippine Sea dispute deeply personal. Villarama emphasizes that the seafood on our tables often originates from these contested waters, directly linking the issue to every Filipino's well-being. "This film is politically charged enough," she explained, "but I want this to be personal — because this is a personal love letter of our fisherfolk to our government, to us, to help them."

Villarama's goal is to give a human face to an otherwise abstract issue, making it resonate more profoundly. She believes "West Philippine Sea stories should be owned by all of us," underscoring how the fight for sovereignty intertwines with broader socioeconomic challenges. Concepcion further elaborated that the film captures a "collision of environmental issues, political issues, and lack of good governance," all contributing to poverty and a struggling economy. Environmental health, she stresses, is foundational to national economy and public well-being.

"We’re standing on the shoulders of those people who first found the courage to fight," Villarama noted, stressing the imperative to continuously assert the country’s rights over the West Philippine Sea. This isn't just for the present generation, but for future ones who will inherit it "for better or for worse."

The film's impact has been evident, with audiences reacting profoundly — some holding prayer sessions, others moved to tears, and many expressing outrage towards past administrations. For Villarama, these powerful responses confirm the film’s core mission: to make people truly care. With its 66th screening recently held at the UP Film Center, the team is set on reaching an even wider audience, targeting 200 screenings by year-end, ensuring that this vital truth, "Fresh from the West Philippine Sea," finally comes ashore and onto the big screens.