WORK FOR GOOD CUT

Blackout Vows by Gabriela - Gabriela, The National Alliance of Women
Non-Profit

Shortlist

Title:	Blackout Vows by Gabriela
Brand:	Gabriela, The National Alliance of Women
Product/Service:	Non-Profit
Client:	Gabriela, The National Alliance of Women
Entrant Company:	Dentsu Creative Philippines
Agency:	Dentsu Creative Philippines
Production Company:	EQNX Studios and Caramel Studios
Editing Company:	EQNX Studios
Sound Company:	Sound Design Manila
Creative Director:	Jerry Hizon , Biboy Royong, Wacky Torres
Release Date:	2025-03-08
Individual Credits:	Biboy Royong – Executive Creative Director
Individual Credits:	Wacky Torres – Creative Director
Individual Credits:	Jonel Revistual – Associate Creative Director
Individual Credits:	Marsh Mitra and Vince Villena – Art Director
Individual Credits:	Jerry Hizon - Chief Creative Officer
Individual Credits:	Pat Sarmiento – Account Director
Individual Credits:	Gabbie Santiago – Executive Client Director
Individual Credits:	Iyah Saturno – Social Media Director
Individual Credits:	Ali Elequin – Social Media Manager
Individual Credits:	Dast Sumatra - Business Design Director
Individual Credits:	Sheila Villanueva - Production Coordinator
Individual Credits:	Flynda Dalida - Traffic Coordinator
Individual Credits:	Pamela Padilla - Traffic Assistant
Individual Credits:	Roki Ferrer - Head of Data
Individual Credits:	Aleona Baluyot - Cinematographer & Photographer
Individual Credits:	Lyle Mejia - Cinematographer & Photographer
Individual Credits:	Raze Rocha - Account Manager
Individual Credits:	Tats Paman - Account Manager
Individual Credits:	Jamie Virata - Sound Engineer
Individual Credits:	Pia Meily - Voice Caster
Notes for Judging:	The Philippines is the last country in the world without divorce aside from the Vatican. Gabriela, the National Alliance of Women, has been fighting for its passage since 1989. But at every turn, they’ve faced resistance, especially from the church. This is despite the fact that almost half of separated Filipinas suffer from spousal violence. A rate 63% higher than the global average and the most urgent reason to pass the world’s last Divorce Bill. To shed light on the stories behind these numbers, we invited the members of Divorce for the Philippines International to bravely share their painful experiences from their abusive marriages. Drawing from their stories and the art of blackout poetry, we shaded choice words from traditional wedding vows to create short yet powerful statements that reveal the reality of a cruel and life-threatening spouse. Each Blackout Vow underscores the urgent need for a divorce law in the last country without one. “Blackout Vows” was first exhibited during the State of the Divorce Bill Address at the Commission on Human Rights Philippines, a parallel event to the President’s State of the Nation Address. There, lawmakers, lawyers, students, and survivors of marital abuse joined voices to call on the government to prioritize the long-overdue passage of the bill. Online, the campaign launched on International Women’s Day through a powerful film and hard-hitting social media posts. We invited Filipinos to create their own Blackout Vows in a national broadsheet, reaching over 480,000 readers. The movement even made its way to the Senate, where it inspired key allies like Senator Risa Hontiveros to speak out and urge fellow lawmakers to pass the bill. People from all walks of life joined the movement. Further harnessing the power of poetry, spoken word artists hosted a fundraising open mic night in support of the advocates. In the Lower House, Congresswoman and Gabriela Representative Arlene Brosas took the floor to champion the Divorce Bill, asserting that it is a fundamental right of every Filipino. The campaign brought the stories of marital abuse survivors into the spotlight, awakening more Filipinos to the truth that divorce is a human right. In a recent survey, 50% of Filipino adults now support the measure. There is hope in this uphill battle. Together with the Filipino people, Gabriela and the Divorce Bill advocates will continue to fight for the passage of the world’s last Divorce Bill.