Jelieta Mariveles-Ruca

An examination of poverty and violence and the influence it has on two boys who live in a slum.

A portrait of a village in the southern Philippines which combines documentary footage with staged scenes. The film follows the villagers as they go about their lives, struggle with poverty, and try to maintain traditions while the country appears to be headed for war.

Gigi from Arakan Valley is a woman rebel who teaches young comrades the facets of their struggle as they remain to be in waiting after they were ambushed. In a nearby village, Junjun and his fellow soldiers take a rest. He attempts to chance upon a girl he longs for, but instead encounters a balyan/tagbawian (shaman) in a very disturbing situation. Somewhere, two kids, Abyan and Busaw, trek the forest back to their mother. Huling Balyan ng Buhi : O Ang Sinalirap nga Asoy Nila weaves the tales of rebels in waiting, playful soldiers at rest and a troubled balyan (village healer) in a very ambiguous predicament. A quandary that will usher them all to one encounter that can bring to light the questions of transcendence.