ABS-CBN News is bringing longform storytelling back to the forefront with a new series of monthly news documentaries on YouTube and iWant, beginning with “Mothballed: The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, 40 Years Later”, produced and hosted by journalist Jeff Canoy.
The initiative marks a renewed commitment to in-depth reporting, offering Filipino audiences a closer look at national issues, human stories, and the evolving Filipino experience. Each month, a new documentary will explore critical topics that go beyond headlines, combining investigative rigor with compelling storytelling.
“There’s a growing appetite for longform content,” said ABS-CBN Chief of Reporters Jeff Canoy. “People are willing to invest time in stories that help them understand the context, the challenges, and the nuances behind events and experiences.”
“Mothballed” revisits the country’s only nuclear facility, the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), built but never activated. The documentary traces decades of debate surrounding nuclear power in the Philippines and examines its renewed relevance following the passage of the Philippine Nuclear Energy Safety Act (RA 12305).
The documentary also features a global perspective, with footage from Vienna, Austria—the home of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)—and Zwentendorf, Austria’s own mothballed nuclear plant, now a tourist site.
“I attended a journalism seminar in Austria focused on nuclear reporting, and visiting Zwentendorf immediately made me think of BNPP,” Canoy shared. “Separated by thousands of miles, they share a strikingly similar history. This sparked a broader reflection on ambition, accountability, and safety in how nations approach nuclear energy.”
The film balances global insights with local voices, highlighting both proponents of nuclear energy and environmental advocates who have raised safety concerns for decades. Canoy’s goal is to make complex scientific and political issues accessible:
“Nuclear energy isn’t always top-of-mind for Filipinos, but through this documentary, I hope viewers can weigh the pros and cons and form their own informed opinions.”
The launch of “Mothballed” coincides with ABS-CBN News Documentaries’ ongoing exploration of new formats, including narrator-less storytelling, black-and-white visuals, and features in regional languages.
Upcoming documentaries will delve into Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea, the PNP Special Action Force training, and a new investigative report on corruption following the acclaimed “Lubog sa Katiwalian.”
Through this series, ABS-CBN News continues its legacy of reporting stories that inform, explain, and spark meaningful public conversations.
Catch “Mothballed: The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, 40 Years Later” on iWant starting October 29, on ANC Thursday, October 30 at 10 PM, and streaming now on the ABS-CBN News YouTube Channel.
