The Philippines just bagged its first Gold Dolphin from the prestigious Cannes Corporate Media and TV Awards after it was awarded to a documentary that took audiences on a more intimate look at the ISIS-linked Marawi Siege in 2017.
Di Ka Pasisiil (Never Shall Be Conquered), produced by ABS-CBN DocuCentral, took home the award during a ceremony in Palm Beach, Cannes, France last night (this morning, Philippine time).
The news was immediately shared by ABS-CBN News journalist Jeff Canoy on Twitter. He received the award with fellow correspondent Chiara Zambrano.
Canoy’s tweet was a tearjerker too.
“Tonight, we won the first ever Gold Dolphin for the PH in Cannes. The Europeans dominated the competition but for a few awesome minutes — 2 kids from Manila went on stage, rocking a piña barong and inaul textile, in a sea of black tuxedos, showing ‘em how we do it back home” he said, ending with a Philippine flag emoji.
Tonight, we won the first ever Gold Dolphin for the PH in Cannes. The Europeans dominated the competition but for a few awesome minutes — 2 kids from Manila went on stage, rocking a piña barong and inaul textile, in a sea of black tuxedos, showing ‘em how we do it back home. 🇵🇭 pic.twitter.com/5CTmC4pl2J
— Jeff Canoy (@jeffcanoy) September 27, 2018
Canoy said that the documentary, which was screened during the event, also moved other attendees to ask them about the story of Marawi.
“This one’s for you, Marawi. The war is over but your story is far from over. We’re not perfect but we’re here: the Filipino journalists across various newsrooms, who will continue to give their very best to make sure that tomorrow will be a bit better than yesterday,” he ended the Twitter thread.
This one’s for you, Marawi. The war is over but your story is far from over. We’re not perfect but we’re here: the Filipino journalists across various newsrooms, who will continue to give their very best to make sure that tomorrow will be a bit better than yesterday. 🇵🇭
— Jeff Canoy (@jeffcanoy) September 27, 2018
The Battle of Marawi started in May 2017 and ended in October of the same year. It saw more than 1,000 deaths and moved President Rodrigo Duterte to declare martial law in the entire Mindanao island.
But as Canoy mentioned on his tweet, the story is far from over.
Today, Mindanao is still under martial law after Duterte extended it twice; it’s due to be lifted by the end of this year. But being under military rule has not helped much in rebuilding the devastated city.
A story by The Philippine Daily Inquirer published just last month reports how residents think the rebuilding projects were too slow. Many of them still have not returned to their homes permanently.
Watch the Di Ka Pasisiil teaser video here:
In the Philippines, it can be streamed on I Want TV.
