By THEPHILBIZNEWS STAFF
A Philippine-produced documentary highlighting the resilience of Ukrainian schoolchildren amid war has been approved for public exhibition by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), earning a PG-13 rating for its inspirational and educational value.
Titled Hope for the Dawn to Come, the non-commercial documentary was funded and produced by The Philippine Business and News (THEPHILBIZNEWS) and filmed over three and a half years, underscoring the sustained commitment of a Philippine media organization to responsible and impactful storytelling.
Filming took place across three countries—the Czech Republic (Prague), Poland (Warsaw and Krakow), and Ukraine, including Donbas, Kharkiv, Poltava, Kyiv, Lviv, Bucha, and Chernihiv—capturing both international perspectives and on-the-ground realities of life in a war zone.
The documentary unfolds against the backdrop of Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022. As the war approaches its fourth year on February 24, 2026, the film underscores the prolonged and devastating impact of the conflict on children, families, and the education sector.
Despite relentless missile and drone attacks, air raid sirens, and constant security threats, Ukrainian schoolchildren continue to pursue their education with extraordinary courage and determination. Their stories—told through candid interviews and on-site recordings conducted with full consent—show how learning persists even under the most dangerous conditions.
The film also documents the fate of Honey Academy in Kharkiv, where many of the interviewed students once studied. The school was later destroyed by repeated Russian missile and drone strikes, serving as a stark reminder of the war’s toll on civilians and educational institutions.
In its official assessment, the MTRCB review committee—composed of Ricardo M. Salomon Jr., Jose E. Romero IV, and Evylene V. Advincula—approved the documentary for public exhibition, recognizing it as an inspirational real-life film produced by a Philippine media company. While noting its hopeful and educational message, the Board recommended parental guidance due to the realities of war depicted on screen.
“Hope for the Dawn to Come is an inspiring documentary highlighting children’s resilience amid war. While its message is hopeful and educational, the real-life conflict context and potentially distressing visuals warrant a PG classification, with parental guidance recommended for younger audiences,” the reviewers stated.
For his part, Monsi Alfonso Serrano, founder of THEPHILBIZNEWS, who went to Ukraine several times to painstakingly complete the documentary said, “This film was made not for profit, not for ratings, but out of a shared responsibility to bear witness—and to tell the truth with humanity. In a world shaped by conflict and disinformation, independent storytelling remains one of the most powerful bridges between nations and people. THEPHILBIZNEWS may be far from the country’s largest media organizations, but despite limited resources, this non-commercial documentary proves that even micro media can illuminate stories the world ought to see. This is a story that does not ask for our attention—it asks for our conscience.”
The documentary will be showcased through a private screening in the Philippines, made possible through the presentation of the Araneta Group of Companies, Araneta City, Gateway Cineplex, and UniProm Inc.
GCash, RCBC, FintechAlliance.Ph, Meralco, ES Print Media Inc., Asia Manila Prime Properties, Megaworld Hotels and Resorts, Hotel Okura Manila further support the non-commercial production.
With MTRCB approval secured, Hope for the Dawn to Come stands as a testament to responsible Philippine documentary filmmaking and the enduring power of storytelling to foster empathy, awareness, and solidarity across borders.