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Mangyan Ambahan: Wisdom for Our Filipino Soul

“Mangyan Ambahan: Wisdom for Our Filipino Soul” is a powerful documentary by Chiara Cox created in collaboration with the Mangyan Heritage Center. This film is a deep dive into one of the few surviving ancient Filipino writing systems—the Hanunuo Mangyan script. As one of only four pre-10th-century indigenous scripts still in use, it remains an essential part of Mangyan culture through the 'ambahan'—beautiful, sung poetry that shares wisdom across generations. Chiara’s documentary brings this unique tradition to life through interviews and stories, revealing its enduring impact on Filipino heritage and the global diaspora.

Tim Brookes, a global leader in script endangerment and revitalization, described it as fascinating and outstanding, and award-winning director Dr. Teresa Mular praised it as an engaging examination of an important part of our history.

  • Chiara Cox
    Director
    Evelyn Mandac: The Filipina Soprano Who Broke Opera Glass Ceilings
  • Chiara Cox
    Producer
    Evelyn Mandac: The Filipina Soprano Who Broke Opera Glass Ceilings
  • Chiara Cox
    Editor
    Evelyn Mandac: The Filipina Soprano Who Broke Opera Glass Ceilings
  • Chiara Cox
    Writer
    Evelyn Mandac: The Filipina Soprano Who Broke Opera Glass Ceilings
  • Chiara Cox
    Key Cast
    "Narrator, Interviewer"
    Evelyn Mandac: The Filipina Soprano Who Broke Opera Glass Ceilings
  • Quint Delgado Fansler
    Key Cast
    "Founder of Mangyan Heritage Center"
  • Emily Lorenzo Catapang
    Key Cast
    "Executive Director of Mangyan Heritage Center"
  • Lolita Delgado Fansler
    Key Cast
    "Former President of Mangyan Heritage Center"
  • Resti Pitogo
    Key Cast
    "Ambahan Researcher and Mangyan Heritage Center Trustee"
  • Uyan Daay
    Key Cast
    "Mangyan Culture Bearer"
  • Anya Postma
    Key Cast
    "Ambahan Chanter and Bamboo Whispers Mangyan Script Writer"
  • Romy Daay
    Key Cast
    "Ambahan Chanter"
  • Bangay Bugnot
    Key Cast
    "Ambahan Chanter"
  • Rita Luna
    Key Cast
    "Ambahan Chanter"
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    56 minutes 2 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 5, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    7,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Philippines
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English, Tagalog
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, Zoom Recording
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Mangyan Wisdom: A Glimpse into the Filipino Soul
    Columbia, SC
    United States
    October 5, 2024
    North American Premiere
  • Mangyan Ambahan: Wisdom for Our Filipino Soul
    BGC, Taguig
    Philippines
    November 9, 2024
    Philippines Premiere
Distribution Information
  • YouTube
    Distributor
    Country: Worldwide
Director Biography - Chiara Cox

Chiara Cox is a Filipino American music artist, writer, and video producer. You can find her various classical music performance videos, articles, and documentaries on www.chiaracox.com.

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Director Statement

In my spiritual search, I have found wisdom in many different religious and secular texts but I was never introduced to sacred Filipino written words until I discovered the Mangyan Ambahan (sung poetry). Written in Mangyan script that can be dated back to before the 10th century AD, their age old beautiful words, full of simplicity, sincerity, and sagacity, move me to tears. It is their poems that inspired this documentary. I believe the Filipino diaspora who watch my film will find the ancient indigenous Mangyan Script and Ambahan to be a source of pride and others will discover a Filipino tribe that encourages strength through peace and non-violence. The world premiere of "Mangyan Ambahan: Wisdom for Our Filipino Soul" was on October 6, 2024 to open the Filipino American Association of Greater Columbia's celebration of Filipino American History Month in South Carolina. It has since been screened twice in November 2024 in the Philippines. There are currently plans for two events in partnership with the Philippine Embassy in DC and the National Museum of Languages on World Endangered Scripts Day in 2025.