‘I-Witness’ marks 15 years with life-changing documentaries

CEBU, Philippines - Fifteen years ago, at a time when documentaries were almost unheard of on Philippine television, GMA News and Public Affairs broke new ground and pioneered the first documentary show in the country: “I-Witness.”

For 15 years, “I-Witness” has aired around 800 stories – all aimed at telling the truth about the world we live in and at bridging the gap between the characters of the show’s stories and viewers.

Several documentaries of “I-Witness” did not end with the show’s closing billboard. Many continued to unfold and became stories of hope and selfless deeds as help poured in for the case studies.

Hosted by veteran journalists Howie Severino, Sandra Aguinaldo, Jay Taruc, and Kara David, the most awarded public affairs program on Philippine TV celebrates its 15th year anniversary this month by bringing its viewers a “life-changing” series that will air for four consecutive Saturdays beginning today. The series kicks off with this documentary from Kara about a school teacher and her students in the North who have dreams and want to achieve these.

As a teacher for 26 years, Martha Bitaga continues to pursue her life goal: to make her students capable of living independently and decently. But it has not been an easy path. There are many physical and social barriers, tests that are beyond the boundaries of their classroom. Nevertheless, they cannot let chance pass by; opportunities are rare, especially for the visually impaired like Martha and her students.

Eleven-year-old Nexiemar Abilang can still remember what she had seen as a sighted girl: flowers. Now with both her eyes snared in darkness, she contently molds clay into a blossom. White clouds may have claimed her eyesight, but not her vision. This girl dreams of becoming a teacher someday.

Kara visits this extraordinary school where dreaming is not about seeing. How do you teach those whom society have traditionally labeled as burdens? How can their lives be changed?

Don’t miss the first of the four documentaries in the month-long 15th anniversary special of “I-Witness” tonight, 10:30 p.m. after “Celebrity Bluff.” (PR) (FREEMAN)