SWEET CEBU
by Yubing Chen
This study explores how Cebu City’s coconut waste recycling initiative balances innovation with equity; questioning who benefits from sustainability. Through a social media lens it examines tensions between tradition, tourism, and identity.
Film Logline: In a future Cebu, Philippines, where coconut recycling drives a thriving eco-tourism economy, a TikTok content creator explores a high-tech coconut-themed amusement park -- Cocoland. While exploring Cocoland, she not only discovers the story of Cebu's transformation through its most abundant natural resource but also uncovers the tensions between tradition and innovation.
This project explores the rise and evolution of a coconut recycling policy in Cebu, launched in 2025 in response to pressing issues—coconut waste burning, single-use packaging pollution, and the exploitation of coconut farmers. While the policy initially brought environmental and economic benefits, its ongoing technologization gradually alienated local workers. Set in 2050, the film follows Yannis, a curious tourist, as she visits Cocoland, a futuristic coconut-themed park that showcases the policy’s achievements. Along her journey, she encounters John, a traditional craftsman feeling displaced by automation, and Diva, a researcher who embraces innovation. Through their dialogue, the film reveals tensions between progress and cultural identity. Though Cocoland appears as a utopia on the surface, it also reflects deeper societal concerns: Who truly benefits from sustainability? And at what cost? The project invites audiences to reflect on how future policies must balance technological advancement with inclusivity and equity.