I--- Buhay Istudyante ✓

The project emerged in late 2023 from a collective of student journalists and filmmakers at a state university in Metro Manila, later expanding to include contributors from provincial schools. The title uses “Iskwela” (colloquial for school/study) and “Buhay Estudyante” (student life) to emphasize authenticity over formal educational rhetoric.

“Iskwela: Buhay Estudyante” (IBE) is a grassroots student media project that documents the daily lived experiences of Filipino students across different educational levels. The series reveals critical themes: financial insecurity, mental health deterioration, academic pressure, and inadequate institutional support. Through firsthand narratives, IBE serves as both a cathartic outlet for students and a policy advocacy tool. This report synthesizes the project’s content, impact, and recommendations arising from its findings. i--- BUHAY ISTUDYANTE

October 2024 Prepared For: Educational Policy Review Board / Youth Media Research Unit Subject: Analysis of the documentary/vlog series “Iskwela: Buhay Estudyante” (working title interpreted from “I--- BUHAY ISTUDYANTE”) The project emerged in late 2023 from a