Treasure of the Rice Terraces (2025)
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.
Cast
- Kent Donguines - Self
- Apo Whang-od - Self
- Lars Krutak - Self
- Grace Palicas - Self
- Kim Atienza - Self
- Michelle Dee - Self
- Mark Bumgarner - Self
- Elyang Wigan - Self
Screenplay
Trailer
Treasure of the Rice Terraces TrailerFrequently Asked Questions
- What is Treasure of the Rice Terraces about?
- 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.
- Who directed Treasure of the Rice Terraces?
- Treasure of the Rice Terraces was directed by Kent Donguines.
- Who stars in Treasure of the Rice Terraces?
- Treasure of the Rice Terraces stars Kent Donguines, Apo Whang-od, Lars Krutak, Grace Palicas, Kim Atienza, Michelle Dee.
- How long is Treasure of the Rice Terraces?
- Treasure of the Rice Terraces has a runtime of 1h 15m (75 minutes).
- What genre is Treasure of the Rice Terraces?
- Treasure of the Rice Terraces is a Documentary film.
- Where was Treasure of the Rice Terraces produced?
- Treasure of the Rice Terraces was produced in Canada.