On Our Own Time
Director
Country
Category
Digital Rights Issue
Synopsis
On Our Own Time follows “Dave”, “Johnnie”, and “RA” as they document a long work day as delivery riders in Metro Manila. In the process, the riders reveal the problems they usually face with the delivery app and how they work around exploitative schemes and technical issues.
Like many Filipinos, the three riders went into app-based delivery companies such as Lalamove to cope with the job losses and economic shock brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as the economy returned to “normal” and more digital platforms emerged as competition, they found their earnings cut in half despite following stricter standards and working longer hours.
To relieve their stress from a day’s work, they usually come together with other riders in their respective tambayan (resting spot) and swap stories – from how they deal with technical glitches in the app to frustrations with customers and company management. As they search for solutions, they weigh the possibilities of organising platform workers and building a community in both digital and physical spaces.
The short documentary film offers an inside look not only into the platform workers' daily struggles but also their perspectives on finding hope and solidarity with each other to demand better working conditions.
Learn more about the film's digital rights issue in
'Gamified Lives in the Gig Economy.'
About the Director
Kat Catalan is a young labour rights advocate and filmmaker in the Philippines. She graduated from the University of the Philippines Film Institute and joined independent productions and local film festivals since she was a student. In 2020, she won 3rd Place in the Documentary Category of Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video. She currently works as a freelance video editor and animator. She is a member of the political film collective Mayday Multimedia, a community media outfit focusing on workers’ issues.
