The Pillars of Our Storytelling
The Giting Ng Duyan team, the intention for this project began with the goal of understanding how national health policies affect marginalized communities, particularly those whose stories are rarely heard.
We chose to focus on the Aeta mothers in Palauig, Zambales, because they are among the most affected by the No Homebirth Policy, facing challenges that go beyond the usual maternal experience.
Through a four-part docuseries, we aim to explore not only how the policy impacts their maternal healthcare experiences but also why these stories matter, so that awareness can grow, conversations can begin, and advocacy can continue, especially among the youth.
This project was developed to give space to voices often overlooked and to encourage empathy and action through meaningful storytelling.
OUR DATA
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley.
Home birthing remains common, not as a cultural practice, but because Aeta mothers face real barriers to healthcare, such as distant facilities, an unlicensed birthing clinic, transportation challenges, and financial constraints.
According to the Aeta mothers and midwives interviewed, home birthing was once practiced as a cultural tradition. However, since the implementation of the No Homebirth Policy, it now occurs mainly because some mothers are delayed on the way to the hospital or cannot reach it in time, forcing them to give birth at home.
Upon arriving in the community, the team observed that geographical barriers significantly hindered the Aeta mothers’ access to healthcare services.
Our Journey
The creators of Giting Ng Duyan envolved through various creative directions, untimately focusing on indigenous communities. The timeline documents the projects phases over the past 3-4 months.
