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Trans film forces multibillion-dollar corp to break silence
Feature film exposé ASOG forces corporation to acknowledge millions paid to victims and unmet obligations.
March 31, 2025 - Manila, Philippines – For years Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) - the Philippines largest real estate corporation - has remained silent about a reparations agreement signed with land grab victims on Sicogon Island. Over the weekend they broke their silence after The Philippine Daily Inquirer obtained a copy of the agreement and published a detailed account of how the corporation was publicly pressured into the deal by the feature film exposé ASOG. In response ALI issued rare press statements publicly acknowledging that they have not fully complied with the agreement between the corporation and 784 displaced families. This marks the first time ALI has publicly addressed the issue since signing the agreement four years ago. The increase in public scrutiny is unfolding in advance of the company’s April 25th annual stockholder meeting.
A Bilyonaryo report has advised investors to closely monitor ALI’s handling of the Sicogon dispute. Publishing under the headline “Must watch for shareholders: How ASOG shamed Ayala Land into paying up Yolanda victims”. In a statement to Bilyonaryo, ALI confirmed that it has disbursed the majority of its pledged funds for land rehabilitation, shelter, and livelihood programs. However, the company admitted that 19% of the agreed-upon reparations remain unpaid.
According to The Inquirer report. “Ayala’s disbursements have exceeded $5 million (USD) for shelter, land rehabilitation and livelihood restoration. However, the company still owes over a million dollars in reparations, and families anxiously await the land titles that will secure their futures.”
“ALI has delivered just a portion of what they committed to,” said Amelia dela Cruz, president of the Federation of Sicogon Island Farmers Fisherfolks Association (FESIFFA) the organization representing the 784 families. “We won’t give up until they fully comply with the agreement they signed and we have been given the titles to our land.”
After gaining global traction at over 40 international festivals, ASOG is now set for a limited U.S. theatrical release (starting April 2nd in NYC) followed by an American digital release via New York based distributor Film Movement. (As reported in Deadline) With the American release of the film pressure is expected to intensify as ALI’s stockholder meeting approaches. The film’s supporters are demanding full transparency on the remaining unpaid reparations and the undelivered land titles. For now, the residents of Sicogon—and the investors of ALI—await decisive action.
A Bilyonaryo report has advised investors to closely monitor ALI’s handling of the Sicogon dispute. Publishing under the headline “Must watch for shareholders: How ASOG shamed Ayala Land into paying up Yolanda victims”. In a statement to Bilyonaryo, ALI confirmed that it has disbursed the majority of its pledged funds for land rehabilitation, shelter, and livelihood programs. However, the company admitted that 19% of the agreed-upon reparations remain unpaid.
According to The Inquirer report. “Ayala’s disbursements have exceeded $5 million (USD) for shelter, land rehabilitation and livelihood restoration. However, the company still owes over a million dollars in reparations, and families anxiously await the land titles that will secure their futures.”
“ALI has delivered just a portion of what they committed to,” said Amelia dela Cruz, president of the Federation of Sicogon Island Farmers Fisherfolks Association (FESIFFA) the organization representing the 784 families. “We won’t give up until they fully comply with the agreement they signed and we have been given the titles to our land.”
After gaining global traction at over 40 international festivals, ASOG is now set for a limited U.S. theatrical release (starting April 2nd in NYC) followed by an American digital release via New York based distributor Film Movement. (As reported in Deadline) With the American release of the film pressure is expected to intensify as ALI’s stockholder meeting approaches. The film’s supporters are demanding full transparency on the remaining unpaid reparations and the undelivered land titles. For now, the residents of Sicogon—and the investors of ALI—await decisive action.
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