🎞️ A Piece of Philippine History Found Across the Sea

Diwata ng Karagatan (1936), the oldest surviving pre-war Philippine film, resurfaces in Belgium—now celebrated on KMJS as a priceless piece of our cultural heritage.

In a time when many of our stories were thought to be lost forever, one miracle surfaced far from home. Featured on Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS) in late 2025, the discovery of _“Diwata ng Karagatan” (1936) revealed the oldest surviving pre-war Filipino film known today—found not in the Philippines, but in Belgium.

This rare cinematic treasure, uncovered by renowned film historian Nick Deocampo, is more than an old reel of film. It is a living legacy—proof that Filipino creativity, imagination, and storytelling have long crossed oceans and generations. While earlier films like Dalagang Bukid (1919) existed, Diwata ng Karagatan now stands as the earliest Filipino film we can still see, study, and remember.

Its rediscovery is not just good news for cinema lovers—it is a moment of cultural pride. A reminder that even when history fades, it can still find its way back to us.

☕✨ Some stories refuse to be forgotten.