MANILA, Philippines – Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea is now approved for public viewing after it was granted an exhibition permit by The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), the board announced on Tuesday, July 15.
The documentary directed by Baby Ruth Villarama is one of the 287 local and foreign films that have just been approved for exhibition during the first half of 2025. This comes just after it won the Tides of Change award during the Doc Edge Festival in Auckland, New Zealand on July 3.
Insight 360 Consultancy Services Inc. had earlier applied for an exhibition permit for the documentary in March 2025, and the MTRCB gave it a Parental Guidance (PG) rating, which means that it is suitable for viewers aged 13 and below who are accompanied by adults or their parents.
In June 2025, the documentary’s film producer Voyage Film Studios Inc. then reapplied for a review, receiving the same PG rating. The MTRCB said the documentary contains themes and scenes that younger audiences would be able to appreciate better if they are accompanied by supervising adults.
Before this victory, however, Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea, had a turbulent run.
It was initially slated to screen at Puregold Cinepanalo 2025, but was pulled just two days before the local film festival was set to open back in March.
Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea follows the struggles of Filipino fisherfolk, the Philippine Coast Guard, as well as some Navy personnel, in delivering food and aid to communities, all while defending the tensions that arise in the waters.
It also highlights the journey of brave fisherman Arnel Satam, who had been tailed by the China Coast Guard near Scarborough Shoal.
Notably, China had even requested the film to be pulled from the Doc Edge Festival “in the interest of public accountability and China-New Zealand relations.” Festival organizers confirmed that Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Auckland had sent them a formal request.
Doc Edge Festival rejected China’s request and stood by its “independence and curatorial freedom.” – with reports from Patrick Cruz/Rappler.com
