In recognition of Filipino American History Month, Punahou School welcomed filmmakers Larry Daguino Lariosa and Terrence Marcotte on Oct. 27 for a discussion about their documentary, Searching for Kapwa: A Story of Identity, History, and Belonging.
Hosted by the Filipinos in Hawaiʻi Ke Kilohana course, Filipino Club and Davis Democracy Initiative, the event brought students together for a lunchtime conversation about cultural identity, family history and the filmmaking process.
Following an introduction by two Filipino Club members, students watched the opening 15 minutes of the documentary, which explores the Filipino concept of kapwa, a shared sense of identity and interconnectedness. Through Lariosa’s personal journey, the film examines Filipino heritage, the lasting effects of colonization and the search for belonging.
During a question-and-answer session, Lariosa shared how researching Filipino history, interviewing family members and reflecting on his experiences growing up in the United States helped shape the documentary. He described cultural identity as an ongoing journey of discovery and emphasized the importance of embracing both differences and shared experiences.
For Malia Carganilla ’28, the film resonated on a personal level. “It allowed me to reflect and continue my journey of searching for Kapwa as a teenager,” she shared. “I am still trying to connect with my Filipino roots, and identity is a significant part of my life.”
The filmmakers also discussed their collaboration as partners, the challenges of independent filmmaking and the connections they have formed with audiences since completing the documentary in 2023.
The visit concluded with a screening of the full 63-minute documentary in Luke Lecture Hall, offering the Punahou community an opportunity to further explore themes of identity, history and belonging.
