The first Philippine-produced documentary on Ukraine, “Hope For The Dawn To Come,” has been selected to vie for Sinag Maynila Festival.
The documentary highlights the resilience of Ukrainian schoolchildren amid war and serves as a powerful learning tool for Filipino children and global audiences alike, offering real-life lessons in resilience, the value of education, courage in adversity, and the enduring strength of hope amid conflict.
Completed after three and a half years, the film offers Filipino youth profound lessons in courage, perseverance, the enduring power of hope, the value of education, and a deepen love of country.
The 38-minute film chronicles the resilience of Ukrainian schoolchildren continuing their education amid missiles, air raids, and the constant threat of war. Filmed over several years across Ukraine, Poland, and the Czech Republic, it captures both the courage of its young subjects and the profound human toll of prolonged conflict.
Produced by THEPHILBIZNEWS, the documentary received a PG-13 rating from the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) for its inspirational and educational value. It premiered inlate January to critical acclaim at a screening attended by diplomats, journalists, and civil society leaders.
Ukraine’s Ambassador to the Philippines Yuliia Fediv called it “a vital counterbalance to misinformation and war fatigue,” while international diplomats praised its ability to “give human faces to numbers and statistics.”
Being shortlisted at Sinag Maynila, a festival known for spotlighting thoughtful and impactful Filipino cinema, affirms the documentary’s artistic and cultural significance.
“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,” said Monsi Alfonso Serrano, founder and publisher of THEPHILBIZNEWS, and the director of the film.





