God BLISS Our Home

For 10 years, Nawruz has lived in BLISS, a former government housing project that has now become a shelter for local migrants, city workers, and university students. Originally from the southern Philippines, he has decided to stay in Manila not only for work opportunities but also for the comfort and freedom of urban living. But staying in Manila isn’t easy— and it isn’t cheap either. He accepts freelance design and animation work, sells beauty products, joins a community lending scheme, and thinks of renting a whole flat in BLISS and lease its rooms to others to earn and save money. One day, his mother calls and asks him to come home. She is worried about his financial troubles and offers to help.Reluctantly, he agrees and uses this opportunity to connect again with his family, especially with his mother whose values have always been old-fashioned.

The animator and filmmaker, Nawruz, an immigrant from Southern Philippinnes, has struggled to find a better place in old housing district, BLISS, for a decade. With a high living cost and unstable jobs in Manila, he gets a financial support from his mother every two months. One day, his mother notices him to pack his luggages and come back hometown. Before he leaves BLISS, he makes all last-ditch efforts to stay more in Manila and starts recording all situation with a selfie sticks and Gopro camera. Will his plan work? Will he get a space of his own in Manila?

Director: Nawruz Paguidopon