‘Gasolina’ film commended by Cebu City councilor amid fuel crisis
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Councilor Joel Garganera has commended the viral short film “Gasolina” by content creator Joseph “Ungart” Sabello, using it to highlight the burden of rising fuel costs on ordinary Filipinos and to push for urgent government intervention.
In a privilege speech delivered during the City Council session on April 7, Garganera cited the film as a reflection of the daily struggles faced by workers, particularly delivery riders and breadwinners, as fuel prices continue to climb.
The recognition comes as the country grapples with a fuel crisis triggered by global tensions, which have disrupted oil supply chains and driven up the cost of gasoline, diesel, and basic commodities.
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By bringing the film into the council chamber, the councilor noted how creative works are increasingly mirroring real-life economic pressures and amplifying calls for policy action.
Film as reflection of reality
“Gasolina,” released during the Holy Week, follows the story of a single father working as a delivery rider, quietly struggling to provide for his children as fuel expenses eat into his daily earnings.
The councilor described the film as “not fiction” but a portrayal of a typical day in Cebu City, where many workers begin before sunrise and juggle rising costs with stagnant incomes.
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“What Ungart captured on screen is not fiction. It is a Tuesday morning in Cebu City,” the councilor said.
The film, which quickly went viral online, has resonated with viewers for its depiction of silent sacrifice among Filipino breadwinners, particularly fathers who often conceal financial hardship behind reassurances of being “okay.”
Fuel crisis backdrop
The speech linked the film’s narrative to broader global developments affecting local fuel prices.
According to the councilor, escalating tensions abroad disrupted key oil supply routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil passes. The Philippines, heavily dependent on imported fuel, has since experienced sharp increases in pump prices and electricity rates.
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These increases, the councilor said, have a cascading effect on the cost of food and transportation, further squeezing household budgets.
“When big countries fight, it is always the small ones who bleed,” the councilor said. He pointed to the disproportionate impact on low- and middle-income earners.
Intervention
Alongside the commendation, the councilor urged both local and national governments to adopt immediate measures to cushion the impact of rising fuel costs.
These include exploring fuel subsidies for delivery riders and public utility drivers, expanding affordable public transportation, and intensifying price monitoring to prevent overpricing of essential goods and petroleum products.
The councilor also pushed for long-term solutions such as promoting alternative transport options, including electric vehicles and energy-efficient mobility programs.
At the national level, the speech called on agencies such as the Department of Energy and the Department of Trade and Industry to strengthen regulatory actions and consider fuel stabilization measures.
Formal recognition
The City Council moved to formally commend Sabello, a Cebuano content creator from Barangay Tinago, for using his platform to highlight social realities through film.
Sabello has also pledged to donate proceeds from “Gasolina” to fathers and delivery riders affected by rising fuel costs.
The councilor said the film demonstrates how storytelling can serve as a form of social commentary and public engagement, especially during times of crisis.
“In a time when many feel helpless, you reminded us that art is also protest,” the councilor said.
Beyond recognition
The speech concluded with a call for concrete action and emphasized that acknowledging the struggles of workers is not enough without a policy response.
“We see you. But seeing is not enough. This body must act,” Garganera said.
The council has referred the matter to relevant offices, including the Office of the Mayor and national agencies, for possible interventions aimed at easing the burden on affected sectors.
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