A Month-Long Documentary Across the Visayas
Stories hold immense power.
They capture not only milestones and outcomes, but the spirit, struggles, and hopes behind every journey.
They capture not only milestones and outcomes, but the spirit, struggles, and hopes behind every journey.
Stories of the Seas is a feature documentary produced over the course of one month, filmed across several islands in the Visayas. The film documents FISH Visayas Project Phase II, bringing forward the voices of coastal communities whose lives are deeply intertwined with the sea.
Rather than focusing on programs alone, the documentary centers on people—their lived experiences, their leadership, and their role in shaping a more sustainable future.
The Story We Set Out to Tell
This project was built on listening.
We travelled across Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor, embedding with communities, local leaders, fisherfolk, and partner institutions. The goal was not to simplify their stories, but to honor their complexity—the challenges they face, the systems they navigate, and the resilience they demonstrate every day.
Our Documentary Approach
From a production standpoint, this was an immersive, multi-location documentary shoot that required:
Extended fieldwork across multiple islands
Community-based storytelling
Coordination with local government units, national agencies, and people’s organizations
Sensitivity to cultural, social, and environmental contexts
Our role was not just to document outcomes, but to translate lived realities into a cinematic language that remains honest, respectful, and accessible to diverse audiences—communities, partners, policymakers, and donors alike.
Why This Film Matters
Stories of the Seas is more than documentation.
It is a recognition of fisherfolk, community leaders, and partners who believe that protecting our seas is inseparable from securing livelihoods and futures.
It is a recognition of fisherfolk, community leaders, and partners who believe that protecting our seas is inseparable from securing livelihoods and futures.
By grounding policy and development work in real human stories, the film aims to inspire understanding, accountability, and action—today and for generations to come.