Angeli Bayani represents OFWs in Singapore via film ‘Ilo-Ilo’

MANILA, Philippines - Angeli Bayani is proud to represent the Overseas Filipino Workers in Singapore through the film ‘Ilo-Ilo.’

This film, which is the debut film of Singaporean director Anthony Chen, won the Camera d’Or award in this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

“There’s a lot of pressure, sa totoo lang,” Angli described her plight in representing OFW’s in Sinagpore, in an interview Wednesday night, Nov. 13.

“Siyempre pagpunta ko pa lang dun ang naisip ko dala ko ang bandera ng Pilipinas. Pero nung nakita ko sila at paano sila mamuhay, it became na I have to give justice to these people’s stories," she added.

“Walang nakakaalam ng everyday lives ng mga taong ‘to and I have been privileged to do that. Sana sa pelikulang ‘to napakita ko yun, sila ang pinaka-importanteng audience. Kapag napanood nila masasabi nila na ganun nga ang buhay nila.”

Though a lot applauded Angeli’s performance in the film, some criticized her as well.

“Ilo-Ilo” is Singapore’s entry at the 86th Oscars award, making it a rival of the other Philippine entry “Transit.”

Yet, the Filipina actress brushes off these criticisms and instead sees this in a positive light.

She also added that after doing this film, Filipinos could try or go back on the days when films focuses on the story rather that its cast.

“Ang problem kasi, I think generally, takot tayo sa simple lang, takot tayo sa silences, gusto natin lagyan ng something pa,” she comments. “But I don’t believe that the Filipino audience will be just content with that kind of thing.

“They’re ready for something more, they’re ready for something different, and I really hope that this film will make a lot more noise para hindi lang ang mga kapwa ko na aktor o di kaya mga kasama ko sa industriya ang makapanood kundi pati ibang tao para ma-realize nila na totoo yun, na it’s okay to make a film like this.”

Meanwhile, the film’s director Anthony Chen says he’s excited to see the reaction of the Filipinos after watching his film.

“I’m very excited because everywhere this film was screened there are Filipinos. So I want to know how they will react to the story.”

‘Ilo-Ilo’ is a film about a Filipina who worked as a maid in Singapore and was first bullied by Jaile, the boy she’s taking care of. But as the economic crisis gravely affects the family she’s working for, she has to leave the country as well the boy who she treated almost like her own son.

‘Ilo-Ilo,’ which is a special feature of Cinema One Originals Festival this year, will have a Philippine screening on December.