About This Lesson
Teach about protecting democracy with the And So It Begins Learning Guide.
And So It Begins follows a quirky people’s movement to defend a nation against deepening threats to truth and democracy. This award-winning documentary from acclaimed Filipino-American director Ramona Diaz presents a microcosm of the modern struggle to protect democratic government against authoritarianism — with lessons for concerned citizens and activists around the world. Our learning guide for this powerful, uplifting film can help you inspires students about civic engagement, democracy, the power of journalism, and women who make history.
This learning guide features six sections:
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The Philippines: Grounding Context, A Brief History
Subject: Geography, U.S. History, World History
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Filmmaker Profle: Ramona Diaz
Subject: Media Literacy
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Journalist Profile: Maria Ressa
Subject: Journalism, Media Literacy
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Literary Connection – Maria Ressa Commencement Speech
Subject: English Language Arts, Speech
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Journalism, Disinformation, and Social Media
Subject: Journalism, Media Literacy
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Political Corruption & Civic Engagement
Subject: Civics, Current Events, Government, Political Science, Social Studies
This guide also includes a Country Profile Worksheet.
About the Film
Filmmaker Ramona S. Diaz follows key players from two sides of an increasingly dangerous war between press and government. Representing the journalists is fearless Rappler CEO Maria Ressa, who, despite arrests and harassment, continues to publish articles holding a lawless regime accountable. On the other side, influencers such as pop-star-turned-government-secretary Mocha Uson start incendiary social media movements and General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa spearheads a public execution campaign against addicts. As each side digs in, we become witness to an epic and ongoing fight for the integrity of human life and truth itself—a conflict that extends beyond the Philippines into our own divisive backyard. Learn more about teaching with And So It Begins.
