WORK-IN-PROGRESS Ramona Diaz, known for her riveting cinematic stories, reaches new heights, as she takes us to the Philippines’ largest maternity ward. Using her expansive field of vision and open ears, Diaz immerses us: up and down the narrow rows, bed upon bed; revealing the soggy heat and constant discomfort; celebrating the quiet joy of a newborn being laid on her mother’s chest. Then she adds a dash of wit and surrealism, including an on-duty head nurse announcing her daily hygiene lesson over the floor’s loudspeaker. Diaz captures the heart and soul of a culture grappling with the stressors of an exploding population. And yet, our heroes, the harried but dedicated nurses, provide the newborns an unexpectedly warm welcome into the world. (PC)