Ramona Diaz’s Documentary Motherland Is A Reminder Of Family And Health Issues
Motherland was first shown in 2017 and is part of FDCP’s Dokyumentado Film Festival
Documentaries have been used to record issues of a country and its people. Before It’s So Begins, the country’s entry to the 2025 Oscars, Ramona Diaz turned her camera to the Jose Fabella Hospital in Motherland, where she got to document the stories of mothers and medical practitioners on childbirth.
Motherland was first shown in 2017 and won an award at the Sundance Film Festival. It’s part of the Film Development Council of the Philippines’ Dokyumentado Film Festival, ongoing until December 7 at Cinematheque. Although it’s been eight years since it was shown, the documentary remains relevant, and here are the reasons why.
The challenges of maternity care in the country
So many things happened in the last eight years since the documentary was shown. But if there’s one thing that remains a concern, it is maternity healthcare. Equipment and machines have been donated and deployed, but is it enough?
Healthcare campaigns for moms have been done through the years. Breastfeeding programs and kangaroo mother care (KMC) have been emphasized. The challenge lies in taking care of the mother after birth. Medical experts are on top of research about postpartum depression and ways to continue taking care of the mom.
Family Planning Education is still taboo
In several scenes of the documentary, mothers and nurses are heard talking about family planning, a controversial issue in the country. One nurse was encouraging a mother about putting in an IUD, a birth control device. The young mother looked hesitant, saying that her mother was against it. The nurse told her that she has to make her own decisions.
There was another scene wherein the young mom told a nurse that she was afraid of using birth control because it was a sin against her faith. Although family planning has been encouraged, some couples are unaware they can practice it.
The documentary also shows the struggles of couples in paying for medical expenses. Although they had the help of the Department of Social and Welfare Development, some of them still resorted to borrowing from relatives to pay the hospital, reminding viewers the poverty remains a challenge for many families.
Motherland is a wake-up call for many!
Many things have changed since Motherland was first shown. A new administration is in power, but problems persist in the healthcare system. Many programs on maternity care and mental health have been launched for mothers, and research continues how to help underprivileged parents in taking care of their families.
Having a baby is a source of joy for many couples. But if there’s one lesson for parents-to-be about Motherland is that they should prepare themselves to raise the child. It’s a responsibility that you must be ready for. Today’s world is challenging for children, and the last thing they need is to be a victim in this world of uncertainty.
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