7 Films from Negros Region Bring Bullying Stories into Philippine Classrooms

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – For years, children who were mocked, shoved or silenced in school often carried those wounds home with few words and even fewer places to turn. Beginning July 29, seven short films from the Negros Island Region (NIR) became part of the Department of Education’s nationwide effort to address bullying, using the stories of students who struggle with ridicule, isolation and adversity to help young people see the experiences of others – and perhaps their own. Under Advisory No. 133-26, dated July 24, the education department directed all Schools Division Offices (SDOs) nationwide to integrate the seven locally produced DepEd-NIR films into relevant learning activities, classroom discussions and guidance and counseling programs. Schools may also use the films in school-based initiatives that promote peacebuilding, conflict-sensitive education, anti-bullying advocacy, learner well-being, and safe and supportive learning environments. The films, produced under DepEd-NIR’s Powering Empathy, Acceptance and Connection Everyday (PEACE) campaign, are: “Biboy, Bat Ka Galit?” (Biboy, Why Are You Angry?) – SDO Bayawan City, Negros Oriental “Lapis” (Pencil) – SDO Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental “Ang Lima Ka Tayho” (The Five Werehorses) – SDO Silay City, Negros Occidental “The Weight of Silence” – SDO La Carlota City, Negros Occidental “Paghilom” (Quiet) – SDO Siquijor “Ranir” – SDO Escalante City, Negros Occidental “Himakas” (Struggle) – SDO Bago City, Negros Occidental The films explore the effects and causes of bullying, the importance of support systems, multiple intelligences and safe schools, and the value of grit and a growth mindset. “Biboy, Bat Ka Galit?” follows a quiet student who learns to survive by remaining silent in an environment where bullying has become part of everyday life. “Lapis” tells the suspenseful story of a pencil in a quiet classroom that uncovers an unseen truth. “Paghilom” centers on a “mean girl” and her emotional struggle with loneliness. “Ang Lima Ka Tayho” explores the deeper struggles of five students, whose misbehavior reflects their hidden challenges. “The Weight of Silence” highlights the importance of support systems while revealing the realities of extreme poverty and systemic bullying. “Ranir” follows a shy seventh-grade boy who struggles to read simple words and becomes the target of ridicule from his classmates. In “Himakas,” a mother’s voice amid disaster becomes a source of hope for a young survivor of severe storms and flooding. DepEd-NIR said it was honored that the seven films were selected by the department as learning materials to support anti-bullying efforts in schools nationwide. It said instructions on using the films had already been cascaded to regional offices, with school heads and teachers determining when to schedule screenings in their respective schools. Donalyn Lastima, chief operating officer and president of Hearticulate Psychological Center in Bacolod City, said bullying can lower self-esteem, create feelings of worthlessness and cause individuals to doubt their abilities and value. “Repeated bullying may lead to anxiety, depression, social withdrawal and poor academic performance,” Lastima said. On the other hand, a positive self-concept can help individuals become more resilient and better cope with bullying by maintaining confidence and seeking support from trusted adults and peers, she added. Bullying remains widespread in Philippine schools. More than 10,000 public schools still lack anti-bullying policies required under Republic Act No. 10627, or the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013, according to the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2). More than half of boys and 40% of girls in the Philippines reported experiencing bullying at least a few times a month, while about one in three students said they were bullied weekly, according to the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). – Rappler.com