‘Elevator': A tale of love, ambition and the OFW life

MANILA, Philippines — What I like about streaming platforms, particularly Netflix, is that I can still watch content, initially screened in cinemas, that I’ve missed.

“Elevator” is one example.

Shown last April in theaters, it offers a refreshing take on Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) or migrant workers stories captured on film. Most of them are usually set in (family) drama genre and touch on the character’s struggles with adapting to the host culture and hiding from authorities because of overstaying.

All this, in a way, is different from the tale of Jared (played by Paulo Avelino) in the production from Viva Films, Studio Viva, Cineko Productions and Rein Entertainment. He works legally and lives decently as the elevator guy in Singapore.

Prior to his job in the city-state and island country, Jared worked for a bitcoin company in Qatar and used his IT degree to make a living in Taiwan.

His earlier lines “Andito rin ako para baguhin ang tadhana ko. Sawa na akong maging empleyado kaya oras na para ako naman ang maging amo (I’m also here to change the course of my life and fate. I’m tired of being an employee, and it’s now time for me to become a boss),” reveal the internal conflict and personal goal that the male lead character has to deal with.

However, the “Love or Money?” advertisement in the waiting shed, where he and his multi-cultural circle of friends meet, hints at another conflict that he soon deals with. It will involve another person or even fate may come into play.

These co-workers-turned-friends believe in his dream of creating and launching an app that will connect migrant workers, from around the world, to their prospective employers. They’re supporting him all the way.

Jared, still a representation of every Pinoy’s search for greener pastures and the selfless calling to better his or her family’s social standing in contemporary times, has a bigger dream for himself and needs to bet on it. He must believe in himself and create possibilities.

“Elevator” has an empowered character in Jared whose dream will also change the lives of his friends and also those dispersed worldwide as stakeholders in the app.

In a way, the elevator, where Jared is “confined” or stationed for most of his working time, symbolizes his aspiration to reach the apex of his full potential, professional-wise. What he only needs is the right person, who will invest in the app, and the right time that will allow him to pitch his idea.

Big-time entrepreneur-investor Byron (portrayed by Singaporean actor Adrian Pang), who’s staying in the hotel where Jared works, gives the latter that chance and hope. Given Byron’s busy and full schedule, Jared has to communicate with Bettina (Kylie Verzosa), the Pinay executive assistant to Byron. She is another empowered OFW character, with business acumen and instincts to boot — and bank on.

Will she help Jared or intercede to make things happen for him?

At the start, she might be viewed as a typical jealous kababayan of another Pinoy’s success abroad or a plain skeptic, but surprise, surprise, Bettina is the biggest cheerleader of Jared.

They’re simply two Filipinos who work for their families and support each other abroad.

Jared and his friends, including the new hotel worker, speak about the global phenomenon that sees different nationalities living and working abroad. It contributes to every national economy.

I think it’s common knowledge that remittances from OFWs or Pinoy migrant workers help keep Philippine economy afloat, resilient and robust, along with the presence of BPO industry and micro-small-medium enterprises in the country. Definitely, there are more specific industries and policies that make up an economy.

Bettina, Byron and the character Alice, on the other hand, represent the regionalization and globalization of the economy.

The film is also a glimpse of the digitalization of employment recruitment and the further leveling of the playing field via the flat-world platform discussed by author Thomas Friedman in his book. Yes, more people can now work together regardless of their geographical locations and time zones. But, there are many, many individuals who still migrate to work in another country or elsewhere on the globe. We indeed live in exciting times, technology-wise.

Since Jared and Bettina are in talks about the app, they’ve grown close to one another. Special feelings have been developed.

Told through the “he and she points of view,” one gets into the thoughts of Jared and Bettina, who kissed him after a night out with Byron and his friends. Besides being an executive assistant to Byron, she is his girlfriend. She’s also looking forward to the divorce of Byron and his wife Alice, who attends meetings with him to talk about the division of assets and joint businesses in Hong Kong and Singapore.

With that, “Elevator” makes viewers consider the idea that personal issues should not get in the way of professional decisions, as one may recall a conversation between Byron and Bettina.

Bettina and Alice have spoken to Byron on two different occasions, saying, “We grew our money more than our love.”

I think it’s a nice piece of advice from them on how to keep a relationship intact. These women seem ready to move on, and they only wish the best for the man they’ve once loved.

Kudos to the convincing and engaging portrayals of Paulo, Adrian, Kylie and Amy Cheng. Same goes to the ensemble acting of Chai Fonacier, Shrey Bhargava, Shahid Nasheer, Shaun Lim, and Rishi Vadrevu, and congratulations also to the direction and story of Philip King.

As a rom-com narrative film about Pinoy diaspora, “Elevator” has beautifully interspersed and put together the stories about chasing one’s dream and finding one’s love.

I also adore and love watching content that features Asian and Southeast Asian characters and talents.

And Netflix is on point to describe it as “inspiring,” and “romantic.”

Please watch “Elevator” on the streaming platform.