Burnaby, BC, 09 March 2025 — In her powerful film Ahon/Rise, Filipino-Canadian director Trixie Pacis captures the breathtaking beauty of the mountains and the relentless spirit of the Filipino diaspora. Through the outdoorsy lives of the K8, an all-Filipino alpinist group from Alberta, Canada, Pacis provides a compelling narrative that intertwines personal struggles, triumphs, and the deep-rooted sense of community that defines the Filipino-Canadian experience.
At its core, Ahon/Rise is more than just a documentary about climbing mountains; it is a metaphor for the uphill battles that many immigrants face when adjusting to a new life in a foreign land. The members of K8, driven by their shared love for nature and adventure, embody the Filipino-Canadian struggle to overcome adversity, build new identities, and rise to success despite obstacles. Their journey reflects the diaspora’s broader story, marked by resilience, strength, and the drive to achieve despite the odds.
Like many other immigrants, the K8 alpinist group comprises individuals who left their home country to pursue better opportunities. They arrive in Canada with hopes, dreams, and an eagerness to contribute to their new home. However, they also bring a piece of their heritage—an identity shaped by their Filipino roots. For the K8, this group of climbers is not just a team but a community that reinforces their connection to Filipino culture while carving out a space in a society that often feels distant and foreign.
Ahon/Rise highlights how the alpinists’ journey up steep, rugged peaks mirrors the metaphorical mountain that Filipino-Canadians climb daily. Upon arriving in Canada, many immigrants face barriers such as systemic racism, unfamiliar cultural norms, and the challenge of finding belonging. Similarly, climbing the mountain presents physical and mental obstacles that test one’s resolve. Nevertheless, just as the K8 draws on each other’s strengths, Filipino-Canadians rely on their communities to navigate the complexities of their new lives.
Pacis masterfully weaves together stunning mountain landscape visuals with the climbers’ testimonies. These climbers are scaling peaks and battling the internal and external challenges of their diasporic experience. The K8’s story is a testament to the importance of having a supportive community and the power of perseverance. They face moments of doubt and fear, but they rise together—ahon—proving that with unity, anything is possible.
This film is also a narrative of identity. Filipino-Canadians, like the K8 climbers, often find themselves caught between two worlds—the Philippines, which they left behind, and Canada, which they now call home. This duality presents challenges: maintaining cultural ties while adapting to Canadian norms, navigating family expectations back home, and finding a place where they truly belong.
In Ahon/Rise, the K8 members discuss how they reconcile their Filipino roots with their Canadian lives, striving for success while remaining connected to their heritage. Through these intimate portrayals, Pacis captures the essence of the Filipino-Canadian experience. It is not just about climbing a mountain but about perseverance, even when the path is uncertain. The metaphor extends beyond the mountains—the struggle for Filipino-Canadians is ongoing. However, the community, just like the K8, is there to uplift one another, supporting each other through the difficulties of assimilation, success, and identity formation.
The film also explores the themes of empowerment and visibility. Filipino-Canadians often find themselves marginalized or overlooked in broader narratives. Pacis’ decision to highlight a Filipino group achieving something as bold as alpinism is inspiring; it is a powerful declaration of presence and strength. By showcasing the K8, Pacis amplifies the voices of a community constantly striving for recognition and representation in Canadian society.
Ahon/Rise is a film that beautifully captures the struggles, high points, and triumphs of Filipino-Canadians. It illustrates that, just like the K8 scaling mountains, the journey of a diasporic group is one of constant rising. Despite their challenges—overcoming cultural barriers, climbing physical peaks, or navigating the complexities of identity—Filipino-Canadians continue to rise — to *ahon*. The film serves as a reminder that the Filipino community will always find a way to overcome and thrive in their new home with unity, strength, and perseverance. (MBB)
