MAESTRANZA, hiram na lupa.

• Main Authors: Evangelista, Jocelle Anne, Ramos, Paolo Emmanuel Espiritu, Cabuang, Denise Marie
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1999
• Subjects: Documentary films; Squatter settlements
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/10304
• Institution: De La Salle University

The documentary is in VHS format with a running time of approximately 20 minutes and is edited on non-linear format. It is about how informal settlers in government properties in Intramuros prepare for an impending eviction and relocation. Our main objective was to observe what measures the squatters would make if the land they were living in, would be reclaimed by rightful owners. We wanted to capture their various sentiments, opinions and reactions on their dilemma. We chose the Walled City as a backdrop for it proves ironic that in a place where people find pleasant, spectacular and beautiful structures and scenery, there lies-beyond viewing distance-squatters of their own land nearly as old as history which Intramuros represents. We then chose the Maestranza compound, which is located in the outskirts of the Walled City, right next to the bank of Pasig River. In the following months, we went there everyday to film and interview them regarding their daily lives and their impending eviction and relocation. In the process of our documentation, our major finding is that none of these illegal settlers prepare for their eviction and relocation. They simply go on with their daily lives, in the hopes that the government would postpone or even cancel their eviction. We also found out that there are also people living in the squatter's area who are sensible enough to know they don't have the right to claim what is not theirs. Some people don't resort to violence from ignorance in stating their plea to right of ownership. Gerry Silla knows that his stay there is only temporary-and he accepts it. He knows that the government has every right to evict them. And when that time comes, he would have to leave. However, he is still thankful for all those years that the government allowed him to reside on their land. And yet, as human nature dictates, there is still hope in his heart that he and the rest of his community would be allowed more time to reside in the place they have lived in for years. Furthermore, we found out that the people have lost their trust in the government in giving them an alternative place, which they can afford and adequately live in. The people refuse to accept what the government gives them due to, what is to them, unreasonable and unaffordable prices and inadequate social facilities. Thus, the government can't claim their land due to the no relocation, no demolition rule. We then realized that the gap between the government and the poor is continuously widening. In protecting their own respective interests, they failed to achieve a reasonable compromise.