#IWitness15: Changing lives, one episode at a time

GMA News and Public Affairs’ multi-awarded documentary program “I-Witness” celebrated their 15 years on air with a documentary festival held at SM Megamall Cinema 9 last November 30.

In line with the theme “15 Years of Life-Changing Documentaries,” “I-Witness” hosts Howie Severino, Kara David, Sandra Aguinaldo, and Jay Taruc shared how the program affected not only the lives of their case studies but also themselves.

Fulfilling dreams through education

In 2011, Sandra Aguinaldo aired her documentary “Kubling Yaman ng Cama Juan,” where five high school students of Barangay Cama Juan in Zaragoza town, Nueva Ecija shared their hopes and fears of pursuing studies in college amid lack of financial resources. After the episode aired, her team received numerous local and overseas calls and emails offering aide that eventually helped the students continue with their college education.

"Isa ito sa mga episode na masasabi kong nag-respond talaga ‘yung viewers ng ‘I-Witness,’ at I’m sure sasabihin din sa inyo ng ibang mga host na parang ‘yung viewers talaga ng ‘I-Witness,’ napatunayan na namin over the years na iba talaga. Na na-move talaga sila sa napanood nila at gusto nilang tumulong,” Aguinaldo said.

These five students also attended the festival and even shared their stories. They are now about to finish their college studies at a state university in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija.

Camille Basilio, class valedictorian of a public high school in Zaragoza, said “I-Witness” became the "bridge to fulfill and reach my dreams." Meanwhile, Arlene Jane Ramos, third honorable mention of the same class said, “I'm so proud po na na-interview kami kasi dahil do'n, makaka-graduate na kami.”

Serving as a bridge towards progress

In 2012, Jay Taruc’s documentary “Tulay” showed how an old and dilapidated bridge isolated residents of Sitio Dumulugdog in Davao City from the town center as they could not cross the vast and deep Davao river. The episode eventually paved way for the construction of a new bridge.

“Ngayon ay makakapag-aral na nang maayos ang mga mag-aaral doon at makikinabang hindi lang ang mga estudyante, kungdi ang mga kababayan nating nakatira roon at kinakailangan pang bumaba ng bundok,” Taruc said.

Changing the lives of the hosts

The hosts themselves are also affected by the documentaries they produce. As Kara David shared, one cannot help but to be moved by the stories of their case studies.

Citing her documentary “Buto’t Balat,” a feature on the high malnutrition case in Mercedes, Bicol, David said, “Mahirap siya sa puso kasi makikita mo ‘yung mga bata, payat, tapos pag-uwi mo may tatawag [na] namatay na ‘yung isa.”

“Talo niya lahat ng sakit sa katawan kasi ‘yun ipapamasahe mo lang, pero ‘yung sakit no’n sa puso, mananatili siya.” –BMS/ARP

I-Witness airs every Saturday, 10:30 PM, on GMA-7. For more information about the show, follow I-Witness on Facebook and Twitter.