‘Asog’ film sheds light on plight of Typhoon Haiyan victims

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NEW YORK – Ayala Land Inc., the largest real estate company in the Philippines, has begun paying reparations to Super Typhoon Haiyan survivors involved in a disputed land acquisition, documents show.

This comes on the heels of the feature film “Asog” (a Filipino mythological creature), which has garnered international acclaim and mobilized global support for displaced families on the Sicogon Island in Northern Iloilo. The island was left devastated after the powerful typhoon ripped through the region.

The film follows a non-binary Filipino teacher on a road trip to compete in a drag pageant, who encounters residents of Sicogon Island, whose land was stolen in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan.

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Super Typhoon Haiyan, the strongest storm ever recorded at landfall, left a trail of destruction in its wake, displacing over 6,000 residents as Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) and SIDECO moved to build a luxury resort.

Typhoon Haiyan / NASA

Produced by Amanda Ernst and executive produced by Academy Award winner Adam McKay and Emmy winner Alan Cumming, the docufiction exposes this injustice and has become a catalyst for change.

Following its work-in-progress presentation at Cannes Docs and its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival, “Asog” has sparked a movement that led to ALI agreeing to pay $5.1 million in reparations to 784 families who refuse to abandon their ancestral land.

“Ayala has only implemented half of what they promised,” said Amelia dela Cruz, president of the Federation of Sicogon Island Farmers Fisherfolks Association. “We will not stop until they fulfill the agreement they signed and we receive the titles to our lands.”

While reparations have funded the construction of 474 storm-resistant houses, many families remain vulnerable, lacking the ownership titles guaranteed by the company.

Despite alleged efforts to censor “Asog” – including stalled ticket sales and misleading disclaimers during its Philippine debut – the film has gained significant traction on social media.

One viral Instagram post regarding the censorship garnered over 130,000 views, leading ALI to pay $560,000 in damages within just 48 hours.

Filipino Canadian director Seán Devlin emphasized the film’s importance.

“The families of Sicogon Island have fought tirelessly to reclaim what is theirs. ‘Asog’ exposes how climate disasters are politicized to justify corporate land grabs. Ayala Land must now honor their commitments fully,” Devlin said.

While “Asog” continues to screen at international film festivals, Ayala’s disbursements have exceeded $5 million for shelter, land rehabilitation and livelihood restoration. However, the company still owes over a million dollars in reparations, and families anxiously await the land titles that will secure their futures.

In a statement, Ayala Land said it entered into an agreement to develop Sicogon Island and its potential as a tourism destination while creating more sustainable livelihood opportunities for residents.

“Prior to this initiative, prospects for long-term employment and economic growth on the island were limited,” the company said. “In 2021, we formed a partnership with a local community group, committing substantial funds for land development, housing, construction and livelihood programs in exchange for the community’s resettlement to another part of the island.”

The disbursement of the funds allocated to the community began in 2021, and to date, most of the funds have been released, according to Ayala Land.

“This includes the livelihood fund in August 2024 and a further tranche for housing construction in early 2025,” the statement said. “Through these continued efforts, Ayala Land remains dedicated to fulfilling its commitments and supporting sustainable development on Sicogon Island, independent of any external narratives.”

Meanwhile, “Asog” has received 10 international awards, including the Audience Award at the Vancouver International Film Festival and the Grand Jury Prize at the Hawai’i International Film Festival.

Its cast, composed entirely of Super Typhoon survivors, adds unparalleled authenticity to this narrative of resistance and resilience.

McKay praised the film, stating, “This is a special movie, and Seán is a uniquely original filmmaker.” Cumming added, “’Asog’ is the film we need right now,” highlighting its urgency and passion.

“Asog” will be released theatrically in limited runs at AMC theaters, followed by a nationwide digital release, ensuring that the voices of Sicogon Island are not forgotten.