The film follows Chan, an environmental lawyer; Balladares, a farmer and former para-enforcer who apprehends illegal loggers and fishermen; and former El Nido Mayor Nieves Cabunalda Rosento. Together, they risk their lives to prevent politicians and business people from destroying Palawan.

The enduring struggle highlighted in the documentary also resonates with the conflicts in local communities in Brazil, Cambodia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and other parts of the world. The thread that binds them is the greediness of giant capitalist corporations and the collaboration and accountability of certain governments to these crimes against nature.

Global Witness in 2018 reported the Philippines had “the highest number of killings of land and environmental defenders”. When asked what sparked them to produce this documentary, the Delikado producer answers, “We hope to help change this narrative.”

Because of the film, Magsanoc-Alikpala has come to admire the people featured in this documentary, who bravely face libel, death threats and constant harassment from influential people in business and politics. “What they do seems ordinary and routinary to them. But from where I stand, what they do daily to protect Palawan as the country’s last frontier is heroic.”

Malakunas travelled back and forth Palawan to shoot the film, sometimes using an amateur camera. The actual filming began in 2017 and wrapped up in 2019. Among the challenges they faced was the terrain, as the filming team’s stamina was no match for the agility of the land defenders, travelling only in flip-flops and with little to no supply of food and water. The risk of encountering illegal loggers with high-powered firearms was another. Additionally, the lockdowns during the pandemic slowed their editing process, as the team had to coordinate from different time zones.

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Magsanoc-Alikpala further quotes a leader of the Tagbanua community from the film, who says that for them, “the earth is their parent. They consider the earth a family and a community member and will do what it takes to protect it”.

When the Emmys announced its nominees on July 28, 2023, Malakunas, currently based in Hong Kong, immediately texted Magsanoc-Alikpala. The latter rose from her bed past midnight, stunned and in total disbelief, feelings that exist even today. With genuine joy, she rushed to share the news with her husband, daughter and father. She also dedicated the film’s nomination to her mother, the journalist Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc, who passed away in 2015, and told Tatler it was already a win for her.

The following day, the producer shared the good news with the team behind the film and its protagonists. “They were happy for the recognition of our efforts at storytelling, but more importantly, they hope the nomination could bring more attention and support to environmental defenders who risk their lives and the future of their families to protect the environment.”

Magsanoc-Alikpala shared that attending the Emmys last September 27 was like an out-of-body experience, a feeling shared by Syjuco, Collins, Malakunas and the other production team members. It was a chance to celebrate the hard work each has put into the project and the impact it has created, says Magsanoc-Alikpala. Malakunas, after the ceremonies, gathered the Delikado team to share his gratitude for the passion and dedication of each involved and for the people of Palawan who continue to fight for their lives to save their paradise.

“We stay committed to helping them as we roll out our impact campaign in the Philippines and abroad,” Magsanoc-Alikpala says.

As an esteemed broadcast journalist, cancer patient advocate, and producer of this compelling documentary, Magsanoc-Alikpala continues to find ways to educate and invite Filipino audiences to support Philippine documentary filmmaking, especially those that exorcise social justice and other themes no one dares to tackle.

“The stories of the ordinary Filipino need to be seen and heard, or we will be a nation built on lies and illusion,” says Magsanoc-Alikpala. “We believe in telling the truth, citing facts, diversity in opinions, debate and discussion.”

She has discovered the vast powers of her vocation, storytelling, through the years, from opening up minds to bringing down authoritarianism. For fellow investigative journalists, Magsanoc-Alikpala advises, “Choose the path that you love. Pick the path where you can make the most impact and make a difference in the life of even one person or family. The road can get bumpy, but if you love what you do, stay the course because, in time, you will find yourself back on track. And you get stronger as you power through each bump. Always choose the right and just side, no matter the temptation to cross the line. When you have truth on your side, you will never fear any risk, danger, libel suit or death threat.”

Delikado (2022) was produced by Felt Films, ITVS International, Naked Edge Films, Narravi Films, POV/American Documentary, and Thoughtful Robot Productions, in association with Bertha Foundation, Doc Society Climate Story Fund, SFFilm, Sundance Institute, TIME Studios and Vulcan Productions. Executive producers include Jody Allen, Suparina Bhasin, Jim Butterworth, Daniel J Chalfen, James Costa, Erika Dilday, Sally Jo Fifer, Beadie Finzi, Alexandra Johnes, Ali Marsh, Laura Nix, Shanida Scotland, Rebecca Teitel, and Chris White.

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