By Jennifer T. Santos

Yes, the Philippines has an official entry to the 97^th Academy Awards set in March 2025.

The Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) announced that it has selected Ramona Diaz’s documentary film ‘And So It Begins’ as the official entry of the Philippines in the Best International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy Awards.

This is the first time that a documentary was chosen by the FAP for the prestigious  Oscar awards.

 And So It Begins is a documentary on the presidential campaign of former Vice President Leonor Leni Robredo in the 2022 election.

On Facebook, Director Ramona Diaz admitted she was shocked as she thanked the jurors for choosing her film.

“So this happened. ‘And So It Begins’ was chosen to represent the Philippines at the 97th Academy Awards. I am still in shock. This is the first time the Film Academy of the Philippines has chosen a documentary,” she wrote.

“I make documentary films to bear witness and to try to understand the homeland. It’s a complex, messy, endearing, infuriating, and captivating place all at once – as ara all exciting places. And the more I delve into it, the more it eludes me. It is both knowable and unknowable,” she stated.

“Taos pusong pasasalamat, FAP jurors, for this vote of confidence and for showing support for the documentary form. I’m deeply humbled and proud to represent the country as the official entry to the 97th Academy Awards. Nakakiyak,” she added.

With the selection of the documentary, Diaz join the ranks of a few women directors whose films have been named as the Philippines’ official entries to the Oscars’ international film category including Hannah Espia’s “Transit” (2013); Rory Quintos’ “Anak” (2000); and Marilou Diaz-Abaya’s “Karnal” (1984), “Milagros” (1997), “Sa Pusod ng Dagat” (1998), according to Golden Globe Voter Nicole Andrew Latayan @nikowl.

“This marks the first ever documentary submission from the Philippines, a year after its first animated film submission Carl Papa’s Iti Mapukpukaw,” Latayan said.

And So It Begins documents the grassroots movement that started during former Vice President Robredo’s presidential bid at the 2022 elections.

The film also focuses on political personalities such as President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr, Vice President Sara Duterte, former president Rodrigo Duterte, former senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, former first lady Imelda Marcos and journalist Maria Ressa, among others.

The docu also tackles the subject of press freedom in the Philippines, especially when disinformation is prevalent online.

Jona Jane Tajonera of J3 Marketing and Productions, a New York film distributor said: “This is a momentous achievement for Filipino cinema and a testament to the powerful storytelling and talent that our country continues to bring to the world stage. Let’s show our support for the film as it embarks on this exciting journey to the Oscars!”

“And So It Begins” is set to premiere in New York City in November. New York screening details are still in the works, according to an ABS-CBN report.  

At the Academy Awards, countries from around the world can send an entry for the Best International Feature Film award. Among these entries, five entries will be officially nominated at the 97th Academy Awards.

The 97th Academy Awards is scheduled to air live via ABC on March 2, 2025 (US Time) at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California, USA.