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By MARIEL CELINE SERQUIÑA, GMA Integrated News
Published March 1, 2025 6:05pm
A peek at the crucial piece of history of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and what lies after, the documentary “The Transition - An Inside Look at the Bangsamoro Peace Process” contains profound lessons just waiting to be found.
The film was produced by Andrew Alonto, executive director of the Bangsamoro Information Office, in association with High Grounds Media, and directed by Malay Javier and Veejay Villafranca.
Conceptualized in 2023, Alonto said one of the challenges the production faced was securing interviews as some sources have packed schedules.
“The BARMM is not confined in a single area. It's scattered to different areas in Mindanao. So, that was a challenge for us and, of course, getting the talking heads because majority of them are our high officials,” Alonto told GMA News Online during their screening in Quezon City.
The documentary premiered on January 24, coinciding with BARMM’s founding anniversary weeklong celebration.
Here are some lessons the younger generations can learn from the documentary:
Never forget history
The documentary features the experiences of BARMM key officials and other personalities in the Bangsamoro peace process.
It also traced back to historical events such as the 1968 Jabidah massacre and the 2012 signing of the Framework of Agreement on the Bangsamoro.
Alonto said the transition period is a “critical phase” of the Bangsamoro history.
“We want to document what's happening behind the scenes. The hard work involved in laying down the foundations for the regular Bangsamoro government,” Alonto told GMA News Online.
On Jan. 21, 2019, the BARMM was created through RA 1105 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
Those in power can shape the future
The creation of BARMM was not attained because of just one person — or two. It is a long and rigorous process that came into life with the help from various sectors, including the government.
That said, choosing a leader is a critical decision for every voter, especially the younger generations.
“We’re not here to tell them on who to vote or anything like that but I hope as voters, as citizens, we would hold our leaders accountable,” Alonto said.
“Kung sino man ang nakaupo (whoever is in the position), they will carry on that legacy and work on it,” he added.
Alonto said that the film is about the peace process and BARMM’s “self-determination.”
“This should be an agenda not just of the current government na meron. It should be an agenda that needs focus even the coming government or even the next generation,” he said
Data from Comelec showed that 33.74% of the voters are millennials, 26.78% are Gen Z, 22.72% are Generation X, while 16.77% are Baby Boomers, Silent or Greatest generation, and senior citizens.
Peace is a constant endeavor
As BARMM celebrates its sixth year anniversary, the documentary not only looks back on what has been for the past years but also shows what else needs to be done.
This includes the constant effort to improve the lives of its people.
“We have to understand that it takes a lot of time and effort for this to be successful. We still have a long way to go pero malayo na rin yung narating natin (but we have come to far),” Alonto said.
He added that the production team wants the documentary to have more screenings.
The public may check for updates and announcements at the Bangsamoro Information Office Facebook. —JCB, GMA Integrated News
