Ahon

Ahon

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 helps Filipino Canadians reach new heights in the Canadian Rockies by providing access to education, equipment, and community. The 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. Honorable Mention - Diwa Filipino Film Festival of Seattle 2025. Official Selections 2025: BANFF, VIMFF, San Diego Filipino Film Festival, Vancouver Asian Film Festival.

Ahon