Baby Ruth Villarama’s documentary, “Food delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea,” won the Tides of Change Award at the Doc Edge Awards.
On Thursday, July 3, production company Voyage Studios announced that the West Philippine Sea (WPS) documentary about the dispute between the Philippines and China won the Best Festival Category Tides of Change Award at New Zealand’s Doc Edge Awards 2025.
“This is for every Filipino defending the West Philippine Sea. In the face of silence and fear, we carry the truth and now the world hears us,” the production company wrote in its caption.
“The journey has just begun. May more people see our fight,” it added.
“Food Delivery” spotlights the Filipino fishermen, Coast Guard, and Navy personnel who risk everything to defend their waters and way of life. The documentary follows the daily dangers that fisherman Arnel Satam faces at sea.
“With rare access to frontline officers, it captures their quiet heroism, personal sacrifice, and unwavering duty. At its heart is a remarkable alliance: fishermen and Coast Guard risking their lives together to deliver food and aid,” its description read. “Visually stunning and deeply moving, this is a story of resilience, unity, and the fight for freedom.”
Earlier this year, the documentary was pulled from Puregold’s CinePanalo Film Festival lineup, two days before the premiere.
In a joint statement, Villarama and the local film festival announced that the documentary was pulled due to external factors.
In a separate statement, Voyage Film Studios and filmmaker Kip Oebanda stated, “hindi kami susuko. Sa manlulupig hindi pasisiil.”
“Food Delivery” is directed by Villarama, a Doc Edge alumna and director of “Sunday Beauty Queen.”
