Alipato at Muog is an ode to mothers and family members of the desaparecidos. As Edita Burgos, the mother of Jonas Burgos and the main subject of the documentary, mentions, “It is better to see your family member die in front of you because you have a body to bury and a place where you can light a candle on the ground. But in our case, we don’t know if Jonas is still alive or not.” Despite this uncertainty, she holds onto the hope that her son will one day knock on their door, alive.
JL Burgos, the filmmaker and brother of Jonas, provides an impactful narrative approach to his brother’s disappearance, presenting information from various sources, making it easy to follow despite the painful details, especially for those familiar with Jonas’ case. The documentary also raises concerns about the rising number of abducted individuals, including community leaders, activists, and other personalities since the time of Martial Law. Many of these cases remain unresolved in court and with the Human Rights Commission.
Alipato at Muog serves as an eye-opener to the political situation and system, highlighting the struggles of every family still calling for justice and hoping their abducted loved ones will finally return home.
Alipato at Muog by JL Bugos is a documentary chronicling the forced disappearance of his brother, Jonas Burgos, an activist who has been missing since April 28, 2007. Following Jonas’ trail from his last sighting at Ever Gotesco Commonwealth, JL and his mother, Edita, embark on a journey to trace his steps. Their search connects them with other families of the desaparecidos, individuals who have gone missing since the time of Martial Law, all seeking their loved ones.
The documentary features testimonials from various key figures, including their lawyer, a journalist, a former Justice Secretary, the Human Rights Commission Chair, and anonymous witnesses. The film combines these personal accounts with animation and never-before-seen footage of the family’s relentless search. Together, these elements weave a compelling narrative that seeks to uncover the painful truths behind Jonas’ disappearance.
Alipato at Muog is part of the 2024 Cinemalaya and will be available until August 11 in selected Ayala Cinemas, including Trinoma, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, U.P. Town Center, Greenbelt 3, and Market! Market!, and also at The Metropolitan Theater.
