I-Witness' Alkansya wins Lasallian award

MANILA, Philippines – Kara David’s I-Witness documentary Alkansya was awarded as Outstanding Televised Feature Story on Youth and Education in the ninth Lasallian Scholarum Awards held last Aug. 29 at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

The docu tells of the story of Anthony, a 12-year-old boy from Eastern Samar. Anthony works all week without rest — setting out in the wee hours of the morning to catch fish and collect sea shells, and washing cars in a nearby town in the afternoon. But Anthony’s toughest task is done at night when he dives and scours the seabed for hours, searching for a sea creature used in Chinese recipes and traditional medicine — the sea cucumber. 

Anthony’s hard work is rewarded with a measly income — few coins that he saves in his alkansya (piggy bank). But nonetheless, the boy works to fill his money box in hope of someday fulfilling his dream of finishing his studies.

“This documentary is very special to me and my I-Witness team because it tackles two issues that are both close to my heart: Child labor and education,” says David. “I am thankful for Anthony’s determination. In the same manner, I am also very thankful for the Filipinos’ compassion and for the gift of education.”

In 2004, David also won the Lasallian Scholarum award for Outstanding Televised Feature on Youth and Education for her I-Witness docu Gamu-gamo sa Dilim.