Legazpi City became one of the first in the Philippines to screen the film “Firefly” with audio description for visually impaired audiences, which was held on Saturday, March 22, in SM Cinema Legazpi City.
The event allowed nearly 100 participants to experience an audio-described version of the film Firefly, providing contextual awareness to viewers, including those with partial vision impairment and completely blind as well as seniors and autistics who prefer listening over watching.
Through detailed narration of key visual elements, such as facial expressions, settings, and silent actions that occur without dialogue, the cinema becomes more accessible to visually impaired individuals to fully immerse themselves in a cinematic experience without relying on sighted companions.
In a heartfelt interview, one of the attendees, Thomas Jefferson Togores, a 12-year-old boy with visual impairment from Albay, expressed his happiness through the experience that he had at the cinema.
“I really enjoyed it, and I’m very happy because there is now a movie like that for people with visual impairments,” Thomas said.
According to his mother, Josefina Togores from Albay, it was his first time experiencing such cinema with audio description, and she was grateful for the opportunity. She also realized that as his son grows up, she must always support him.
When Thomas was asked about the emotional challenges of his condition, he shared, “But I still cannot fully escape the sadness of not being able to see. However, through it all, I’m still thankful because I am alive.”
Thomas also reflected on the valuable lesson he gained from the film, saying, “In the midst of the darkness of life, there is still a light that will guide you to where you want to go.”
This initiative was made possible through Project ADAM (Audio Description Awareness Movement), in collaboration with the Philippine Blind Union (PBU), GMA, SM Cares, and several organizations advocating for accessibility.
According to Ronnel Del Rio, convenor of Project ADAM, Legazpi City was chosen as one of the first screening locations due to the high population of visually impaired individuals in the Bicol Region.
“This is not just for the blind; it’s also for senior citizens, people with dyslexia, and those with autism who may prefer listening over watching. Movies should not be exclusive to those who can see,” Del Rio explained.
This movement also serves as an awareness campaign advocating for the enactment of the Filipino Audio Description Act.
Jose Rañola, the President of Blind Union, is pushing for legislation that would mandate audio description services in cinemas nationwide, similar to the closed captioning laws implemented in other countries.
“The visually impaired are active members of society,” Rañola said, urging lawmakers and government agencies to recognize this as a basic human right and ensure equal access to entertainment for people with disabilities.
With this groundbreaking event, Rañola, together with Del Rio, hopes that audio-described films will soon become a standard offering in cinemas across the Philippines, ensuring that no one is left behind in the movie-going experience.I Nicole Castillo