Desaparecidos Hails Alipato at Muog for Nomination at the 2025 Gawad Urian
KARAPATAN Public Information
PRESS RELEASE
7 September 2025
Reference:
Isabel Batralo, Desaparecidos vice-chairperson, 0917-7148245
Desaparecidos
Hails Alipato
at Muog
for Nomination at the 2025 Gawad Urian
Desaparecidos, an organization of families of the disappeared, proudly congratulates Alipato at Muog for its multiple nominations at the 48th Gawad Urian Awards.
The film is nominated for Best Film, Best Direction, Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, and Best Production Design.
“We congratulate our chairperson, director JL Burgos—brother of Jonas—in yet another recognition that affirms how this film has become a powerful testament of the families and friends of the desaparecidos who continue to seek justice for all victims of enforced disappearances,” said Isabel Batralo, vice-chairperson of Desaparecidos.
The documentary, first featured at Cinemalaya 20 last year, tells the story of the Burgos family’s search for missing activist Jonas Burgos, who was abducted in a crowded Quezon City mall on April 28, 2007.
“Since its release last year, it has amplified the voices of those silenced by repression and shared with the greater public the enduring search for truth and accountability,” Batralo said.
Desaparecidos emphasized that while the film’s recognition is a triumph for truth-telling, it also underscores that justice remains elusive for Jonas and for all others abducted by state security forces.
“It is a continuing cry for justice and accountability, especially now that those behind Jonas’s abduction remain in power, such as National Security Adviser General Eduardo Año. We continue to ask General Año: Where is Jonas Burgos?” Batralo declared.
General Año, then chief of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, was implicated in Jonas’s disappearance.
“Aside from being promoted and rewarded for impunity, it is deeply alarming that a human rights violator like Año holds a key position under the Marcos Jr. administration. With at least 15 victims of enforced disappearance already documented under Marcos Jr., we have every reason to continue demanding justice. This is not only for our disappeared loved ones, but for all who have become victims after them,” Batralo added.
Alipato at Muog previously won Best Director and Best Picture at the 73rd FAMAS Awards.
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