Give Up Tomorrow

The story traverses the Philippine archipelago, centering on Cebu, a tropical island in the Visayas, and Manila, the political and media hub. Cebu is depicted as a close-knit setting where family and local networks shape events. Manila represents the nerve center of the case, where witnesses, authorities, and journalists collide in a high-stakes spectacle.

⚖️ Justice

Give Up Tomorrow exposes how a legal system can be swayed by perception as much as by evidence. The film follows a lengthy case where capital punishment is used and then debated within society. The narrative questions whether truth can survive in a climate of media frenzy and political interests. It underscores the human cost of a miscarriage of justice, especially for families seeking clarity.

🏛️ Power

Power dynamics across race, class, and politics drive the investigation and trial. The subject is linked to a prominent mestizo political clan that includes a former president, showing how influence can shape institutions. The film contrasts privileged status with the experiences of ordinary people, illustrating bias and selective enforcement. It suggests that power can distort the pursuit of truth.

🗞️ Media Circus

The story portrays a frenzied media circus that swarms the arrest and trial. Journalists become players in a drama that feeds sensationalism and public opinion. Headlines and narratives threaten to eclipse the underlying facts and evidence. The film questions the ethical responsibilities of the press in high-stakes cases.

👩‍👧‍👦 Family

Two mothers, angry and sorrowful, devote more than a decade to pursuing or preventing a death sentence. The intimate family drama grounds the societal critique in the real cost of injustice. It shows how families navigate a hostile public sphere while seeking truth and accountability. The film links maternal love and resilience to the larger political struggle surrounding the case.