2 Valid IDs

2 Valid IDs

by Ma-an L. Asuncion-Dagñalan and Abet Pagdagdagan Raz

90:00 minutes | Social Drama | PG | Strong Language

CAST

Marietta Subong, Meryll Soriano, Joey Marquez, Zaijian Jaranilla

PRODUCTION

DIRECTOR – Ma-an L. Asuncion-Dagñalan, DGPI; SCREENPLAY – Abet Pagdagdagan Raz

EDITOR – Vanessa Ubas-De Leon; CINEMATOGRAPHER – Neil Daza, LPS

PRODUCTION DESIGNER – Mao Fadul, PDCP

ORIGINAL MUSICAL SCORE – Mikey Amistoso, Jazz Nicolas

SOUND DESIGNER – Jannina Mikaela Minglanilla

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS – Geo Lomuntad, Claudia Diaz Cojuangco, Ben Tsai, HJ Li, Paolo Fernandez, Mitch Fernandez, Jim Baltazar, Lydia Gapas

PRODUCERS – Geo Lomuntad, Ma-an Asuncion-Dagñalan

LOGLINE

A poor farmer, unable to claim a remittance because she lacks the required two valid IDs, finds herself in a situation that challenges her character, beliefs, and morality.

SYNOPSIS

Sylvia, a poor farmer, is asked to provide 2 valid IDs to claim the money sent by a relative at the remittance center for the medical treatment of her husband, Ramon, who has severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). But there is a problem: she doesn’t have a single ID. A requirement that looks simple but impossible for someone like her. Against her will, she resorts to a “fixer” to help her secure 2 valid IDs. Weighed down by exhaustion, hunger, and endless lines of bureaucracy, the little money sent to her is nearly drained because of their daily expenses. As the days pass, her husband’s condition declines, and Sylvia’s hope begins to fade. In trying to prove her identity, Sylvia is forced to confront the limits of her faith, her conscience, and her humanity.

FILMMAKER’S PROFILE

MA-AN L. ASUNCION-DAGÑALAN

Ma-an L. Asuncion Dagñalan is an award-winning filmmaker recognized for her acclaimed feature Blue Room, which won Best Foreign Film at the 2023 LA Femme International Film Festival. She took home Best Director honors at both the 2022 Cinemalaya Film Festival and the 2023 FAMAS Awards. Trained under National Artist for Film Ricky Lee, Dagñalan currently serves as the Board Secretary of the Directors Guild of the Philippines (DGPI) and is a core member of the Filipino Screenwriters Guild (FSG).

ABET PAGDAGDAGAN RAZ

Abet Pagdagdagan Raz is an award-winning television and film writer with nearly 20 years of experience in storytelling. In 2023, he received the FAMAS Award for Best Screenplay for La Traidora. His latest feature film, In Thy Name, features McCoy De Leon. Throughout his career, he has been driven by a passion for stories that explore the human spirit. Beyond writing, he is an avid lover of cinema, live theater, and travel, drawing inspiration from diverse cultures, performances, and real-life experiences. He believes that every journey, every encounter, and every story has the power to deepen our understanding of life and one another.

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

It’s only in the Philippines that we are asked to show 2 valid IDs to get another ID. What happens to those who don’t have any? What happens to the people trapped in a chaotic and inhumane system?

2 Valid IDs is more than a story of bureaucracy, it is a reflection of the truth where access to basic needs is hindered by poverty, excessive red tape, rigid rules, and a system that demands documentation rather than urgency and compassion. Hence, many Filipinos are pushed into a world of “fixers”, forged identities, and moral compromise. They are doing this not because of selfishness, but out of necessity and love.

In this film, we confront these questions we often ignore: What is the value of a human life in a broken system?; How far would you go to save the one you love?; And why do we ask for “2 valid IDs” before we even ask what help someone needs?

Ultimately, the film 2 Valid IDs is a cry for empathy, reform, and a more humane way of treating the most vulnerable. It’s a film that calls us to look at our institutions and ourselves with a greater kindness, some added sensitivity, and more humane concern.