MANILA, PHILIPPINES — As the Philippines prepares for its 2025 elections, the 12th edition of the Active Vista Human Rights Festival (AVHRF) will host a special screening of the Thai documentary Breaking the Cycle on October 05, 2024, from 1:00 – 5:00 pm at Gateway Cineplex Cinema 1, Cubao, Quezon City. Directed by Aekaphong Saransate and Thankrit Duangmaneeporn, the film offers a timely reflection on electoral politics. Following the screening, a forum will dive into the key issues shaping the upcoming Philippine senatorial elections and explore their far-reaching implications for the nation’s democracy.
The timing of the film screening is particularly significant, coinciding with the period of Certificate of Candidacy (COC) filing for the 2025 elections. As seen in a March 2024 Pulse Asia survey, familiar political figures such as Erwin Tulfo, former Senate President Tito Sotto, and former President Rodrigo Duterte continue to dominate public preference for Senate seats, underscoring the enduring influence of political dynasties. The continued dominance of a few families perpetuates a cycle of patronage, corruption, and self-serving leadership, a problem that has plagued the nation for decades.
Despite an increase in voter registration – reaching 70 million eligible voters, with a notable surge in youth registrations – the question remains: Will this growing voter base break free from the cycle of entrenched political control? History has shown that issues such as vote-buying, electoral violence, and fraud persist, casting a shadow on the integrity of Philippine elections.
DAKILA, through its Active Vista Center, selected Breaking the Cycle as the closing film of the festival to highlight the parallels between the challenges faced by Thailand and the Philippines. The film captures Thailand’s 2019 elections and the rise of Thanathorn, a political candidate who stood against the military establishment and inspired a youth-led movement advocating for genuine political change. His story echoes the current state of the Philippines, where the youth have the potential to drive meaningful reform by supporting candidates who champion human rights and democratic values.
