And So It Begins

This documentary examines the political climate of the Philippines during a period of national elections. It focuses on a unique grassroots movement that uses collective joy as a means of resisting autocracy and protecting democratic values and truth.

The film was written, produced, and directed by Ramona S. Diaz. Within her directing history, this work precedes her 2026 film, Sheesh, A Taylor Love Story. A joint production between the United States and the Philippines, the project involved several companies including Independent Lens, Creative Capital, ITVS, and CineDiaz. The cast features several prominent figures appearing as themselves, including Maria Ressa, Leni Robredo, and Manuel L. Quezon III, as well as political figures Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., Rodrigo Duterte, and Sara Duterte. The completed film has a runtime of 113 minutes.