LOGLINE
In Filipino, “ahon” means to rise, emerge, or break through a surface. “Ahon” recounts the rise of the K8 Mountaineering Club of Alberta, a non-profit organization that breaks barriers and helps Filipino Canadians reach new heights in the Canadian Rockies by providing access to education, equipment, and community.
RUNTIME
21 minutes
THE STORY
Deep-dive into the world of K8, a non-profit organization that provides access to education, equipment, and community to ~30 Filipino-Canadian members and counting. he film follows K8 Founder Levi Ramos and current President Leonard Maglalang over the course of a season with the K8 Mountaineering Club. The film blends hiking, scrambling, mountaineering, ice climbing, and social gatherings with stories of the club's humble beginnings and the struggles Filipino Canadian immigrants must overcome to reach a place of comfort and belonging in Canada's mountains.
The film showcases Filipino food, culture, games, and even backcountry karaoke before culminating with K8's attempts to push their capabilities and summit Howse Peak, an iconic objective in Banff National Park. Using climbing as a metaphor for the hurdles immigrants must overcome, the film explores themes of identity, community, and Filipino representation in the outdoors.
This project is made with the support of the VIMFF Film Grant presented by Arc’teryx.
“This elevation of culture and community is foundational to Ahon. The film boasts an entirely Filipino crew, including editors Carlo Alcos and Jomarie Anza. While for Trixie, working with K8 and reconnecting to her roots has transformed the original motivation behind the project from a love for the outdoors to a deeper sense of purpose and belonging.”