From the Cordilleras to Sundance: Don Eblahan's 'Vox Humana' amplifies indigenous voices | ABS-CBN
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From the Cordilleras to Sundance: Don Eblahan's 'Vox Humana' amplifies indigenous voices
From the Cordilleras to Sundance: Don Eblahan's 'Vox Humana' amplifies indigenous voices
ABS-CBN News,
Yong Chavez
Published Jan 30, 2025 04:06 PM PHT
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"Vox Humana" director Don Eblahan
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At the heart of the snowy slopes of Sundance 2025, a voice from the Cordilleras is making waves. Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan is a 28-year-old filmmaker bringing his roots to the world stage with his latest short film, "Vox Humana."
At the heart of the snowy slopes of Sundance 2025, a voice from the Cordilleras is making waves. Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan is a 28-year-old filmmaker bringing his roots to the world stage with his latest short film, "Vox Humana."
"Malaking bagay ito sa amin at pati rin sa cast and crew and sa community na nire-represent ko. Kasi minsan lang naman tayo makakita ng indigenous na taga-Cordillera na nakakapunta sa mga ganitong lugar," he said.
"Malaking bagay ito sa amin at pati rin sa cast and crew and sa community na nire-represent ko. Kasi minsan lang naman tayo makakita ng indigenous na taga-Cordillera na nakakapunta sa mga ganitong lugar," he said.
We met at a Filipinos-in-Sundance breakfast mixer organized by one of the festival's programmers, Irene Soriano. Eblahan's quiet confidence and genuinely humble presence mingled nicely with fellow Pinoy creatives, most of whom are Sundance veterans like "Last Days" producer Salvador Gatdula.
We met at a Filipinos-in-Sundance breakfast mixer organized by one of the festival's programmers, Irene Soriano. Eblahan's quiet confidence and genuinely humble presence mingled nicely with fellow Pinoy creatives, most of whom are Sundance veterans like "Last Days" producer Salvador Gatdula.
For Eblahan, this year's festival is personal. While the writer-director's debut short, "The Headhunter’s Daughter," won the Sundance Grand Jury Prize in 2022, he only experienced that moment virtually. But this time around, he was proudly representing the Philippines in person.
For Eblahan, this year's festival is personal. While the writer-director's debut short, "The Headhunter’s Daughter," won the Sundance Grand Jury Prize in 2022, he only experienced that moment virtually. But this time around, he was proudly representing the Philippines in person.
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Set against the breathtaking landscapes of his homeland, "Vox Humana" is a poignant exploration of humanity's connection to nature. Eblahan's inspiration? The Cordilleras, where he grew up surrounded by natural beauty — and the devastation of natural disasters.
Set against the breathtaking landscapes of his homeland, "Vox Humana" is a poignant exploration of humanity's connection to nature. Eblahan's inspiration? The Cordilleras, where he grew up surrounded by natural beauty — and the devastation of natural disasters.
He explained: "I'm from the Cordilleras, I'm Ifugao-Visayan but I grew up mostly in the Baguio area. My hometown is La Trinidad. Part of my imaginations and my ramblings when I was growing up there were reflecting on natural disasters that somehow hit our area. I try to interrogate through my cinema why these things happen: Is it man-made problems or is it really the will of our ancient gods?"
He explained: "I'm from the Cordilleras, I'm Ifugao-Visayan but I grew up mostly in the Baguio area. My hometown is La Trinidad. Part of my imaginations and my ramblings when I was growing up there were reflecting on natural disasters that somehow hit our area. I try to interrogate through my cinema why these things happen: Is it man-made problems or is it really the will of our ancient gods?"
Through the lens of a zoologist character, "Vox Humana" dives into this complex web of questions, reflecting Eblahan's own inner dialogue about his culture and environment. But it's more than a film about the past — it's a call to action for the future.
Through the lens of a zoologist character, "Vox Humana" dives into this complex web of questions, reflecting Eblahan's own inner dialogue about his culture and environment. But it's more than a film about the past — it's a call to action for the future.
With the climate crisis decimating various places in the world, I asked Eblahan if he thinks there's still hope in saving the planet.
With the climate crisis decimating various places in the world, I asked Eblahan if he thinks there's still hope in saving the planet.
"It's easy to feel like it's too late," he said, adding, "but even small changes can have a big impact."
"It's easy to feel like it's too late," he said, adding, "but even small changes can have a big impact."
In what specific ways? I prodded. He said: "Sa amin, of course, sustainable farming and supporting land workers especially the indigenous land workers in the Cordilleras, all over the Philippines, kasi sila 'yung nakakaalam talaga nung terrain ng lupa natin."
In what specific ways? I prodded. He said: "Sa amin, of course, sustainable farming and supporting land workers especially the indigenous land workers in the Cordilleras, all over the Philippines, kasi sila 'yung nakakaalam talaga nung terrain ng lupa natin."
He emphasized the importance of empathy, listening, and preserving indigenous knowledge — values central to his storytelling. "It's a reflection on my culture, my landscape, and our role in this world," he added.
He emphasized the importance of empathy, listening, and preserving indigenous knowledge — values central to his storytelling. "It's a reflection on my culture, my landscape, and our role in this world," he added.
His films' power also lies in its authenticity.
His films' power also lies in its authenticity.
"I've only mostly worked with non-professional actors. Pero ang hinahanap ko pa rin talaga are masters in their own craft," Eblahan shared. "Kasi lumalabas 'yung talagang tunay na personalities and the imperfections, and the little movements na nakikita mo sa hindi talaga trained na actors."
"I've only mostly worked with non-professional actors. Pero ang hinahanap ko pa rin talaga are masters in their own craft," Eblahan shared. "Kasi lumalabas 'yung talagang tunay na personalities and the imperfections, and the little movements na nakikita mo sa hindi talaga trained na actors."
This year, "Vox Humana" stands as the sole Filipino entry at Sundance.
This year, "Vox Humana" stands as the sole Filipino entry at Sundance.
"It's such an honor to represent the Philippines," he said. "I hope this inspires more indigenous filmmakers to share their stories. Gusto ko ring ipakita na gumagawa kami ng films na pwedeng makarating sa mga ganitong lugar, just by being small-scale, pwedeng gawin."
"It's such an honor to represent the Philippines," he said. "I hope this inspires more indigenous filmmakers to share their stories. Gusto ko ring ipakita na gumagawa kami ng films na pwedeng makarating sa mga ganitong lugar, just by being small-scale, pwedeng gawin."
For the Filipino artist, filmmaking is deeply personal and intimate, but his impact is anything but small. From the mountains of the Cordilleras to the global spotlight of Sundance, Eblahan's voice is one the world is ready to hear. With "Vox Humana," he reminds us to listen — not just to the earth, but to each other.
For the Filipino artist, filmmaking is deeply personal and intimate, but his impact is anything but small. From the mountains of the Cordilleras to the global spotlight of Sundance, Eblahan's voice is one the world is ready to hear. With "Vox Humana," he reminds us to listen — not just to the earth, but to each other.
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