Treasure of the Rice Terraces

Where to watch · United States

Not on any service here yet.

Treasure of the Rice Terraces (2025)

Directed by Kent Donguines

Documentary · 1h 15m

Filipino Canadian filmmaker Kent Donguines travels back to the Philippines to reconnect with his roots. In a nation with over 134,000 years of history and centuries of colonization — under Spanish, American, and Japanese rule — Donguines notes a shared feeling of weakened traditional identity among many Filipinos he knows and meets. A vital part of their heritage, the centuries-old practice of tattooing, was banned by colonizers and even shunned by Filipinos. Donguines travels to Buscalan, a secluded mountain community, to discover more about the revival of Indigenous Kalinga tattoos. Guided by 107-year-old master artist Apo Whang-od, Donguines learns the deep history and symbolism behind the tattoos. The revival of this Indigenous body art tradition offers a powerful way to preserve culture, spark pride, and strengthen identity, and Treasure of the Rice Terraces shows how traditions can survive, evolve, and inspire both local communities and cultural identity worldwide.

Rate it first

No account needed. Others' takes stay sealed until you rate.

?/10

Cast

Kent Donguines Self Apo Whang-od Self Lars Krutak Self Grace Palicas Self Kim Atienza Self Michelle Dee Self
M
Mark Bumgarner Self
E
Elyang Wigan Self

Crew

Director
Kent Donguines
Writer
Kent Donguines
Director of Photography
John Fleming
Editor
Elad Tzadok

Details

Release date
2025-10-05
Runtime
1h 15m
Genres
Documentary
Original language
EN
Spoken languages
English, Tagalog
Countries
Canada
Production
Moon7, Aimer Films