‘Sa Hamon ng Panahon’: Dark history reflected

(Published Oct. 15, PDI-Entertainment)

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit

Contributor

The disturbing docu-drama “Sa Hamon ng Panahon” states that terrible human rights violations still happen in the country, long after the end of the Martial Law era. The accounts of witnesses and victims’ families recall inexplicable acts of violence, from physical and mental torture to merciless outdoor executions.

Produced by multimedia organization Kodao, “Sa Hamon ng Panahon” runs a little over an hour, and is directed, written and narrated by Boni Ilagan. Sensitively tackling the issues surrounding the murders of United Church of Christ in the Philippines members, it raises important questions, and answers some of them with clarity.

Events are re-created to illustrate the moments leading to the UCCP members’ killing by unidentified assailants; the reenactments aren’t always smooth (understandably so, because most of the participants are non-professional actors, according to Ilagan), but the narrative works, for the most part. Such scenes are interspersed between interviews in the fashion of news magazine programs.

Initial accessibility aside, the documentary isn’t for the squeamish. While images of the recently deceased may be blurred or switched into black and white in other crime-themed documentaries or similar presentations, there are briefly shown horrific and uncensored visuals here. Startling images of actual corpses indelibly burn themselves into your brain. It can be extremely discomfiting; the images emphasize the senselessness of such acts and the seriousness of the situation.

Commentaries and accounts try to make sense of the tragic events, bemoaning and condemning the continued disappearance and elimination of religious leaders and human rights activists.

“Sa Hamon…” was recently screened at the Bantayog ng Mga Bayani in Quezon City. The crimes depicted in the documentary are compared by guest speakers--survivors of Martial Law abuses--to the atrocities of yesteryears. Ilagan added that it’s a tale that “deserves to be told,” one that’s “written in blood and tears.”

“Sa Hamon ng Panahon” is frightening, saddening and difficult to watch, but the endeavor is indeed an important one.

For screenings and DVD release information, visit www.kodao.org. In the photo: Director Boni Ilagan