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Deep Dive: Asog (2025)

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Asog
Asog is a 2023 docufiction film that combines fictional and documentary elements to tell the story of Typhoon Haiyan survivors on Sicogon Island. The film features an entirely non-professional cast made up of individuals affected by the storm, including Filipino transgender comedian Rey 'Jaya' Aclao and co-star Arnel Pablo. The narrative follows Aclao and Pablo on a road trip to a drag competition, during which they encounter various people whose lives were impacted by the typhoon and the subsequent land disputes with Ayala Land Inc. The film addresses the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, particularly the forced displacement of 6,000 residents by a private militia to make way for a luxury resort. Following the film's success at various film festivals, Ayala Land Inc. paid $5.1 million USD in reparations to 784 displaced families, with most funds used to build new storm-resistant homes. The film's production was marked by a guerrilla approach, made on a micro budget of $255,000, and directed by Seán Devlin, who relied on a translator to communicate with the cast in their preferred Filipino dialects.

Why Watch

  • •Meet Typhoon Haiyan survivors on Sicogon Island
  • •See a film with an all non-professional cast
  • •Find out about land disputes with Ayala Land Inc.

Did You Know

•Asog was made with a micro budget of $255,000.
•Ayala Land Inc. paid $5.1 million USD in reparations after the film's success.
•The film features an entirely non-professional cast of Typhoon Haiyan survivors.
•Asog had its World Premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2023.

Perfect For

Documentary enthusiastsFilipino cultureClimate change narratives