Quezon City cites Mano Po 6 for gender sensitivity

MANILA, Philippines - Quezon City conferred its 2009 Most Gender Sensitive Film Award to “Mano Po 6: A Mother’s Love,” which also won as Best Screenplay in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

Mano Po 6 is a story of a mother, portrayed by 2009 MMFF Best Actress Sharon Cuneta.

“This year, Mano Po 6 was Quezon City’s choice among seven notable and highly publicized entries for the effective portrayal of a woman who exemplified the traits of a strong and inspiring mother,” the city Gender and Development Resource and Coordinating Office (GADRCO) said.

The city government gives yearly recognition for exemplary films that promote empowerment and equality between women and men.

In the selection process, jurors based their choice on cinematic technique and content, timeliness of issues, and the roles men and women portrayed in the context of gender equality, said GADRCO.

The award was conceptualized in 2003 under the initiative of Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr., who chairs the Quezon City Film Development Commission with Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista as vice chairperson.

As part of the city’s gender mainstreaming program, the award is intended to promote this advocacy through the cinema.

The steering committee on the Most Gender Sensitive Film Award is chaired by Joy Belmonte of the Quezon City Performing Arts Development Foundation and co-chaired by Mary Ruby Palma of the GADRCO.

The committee members are Dr. Meleda Polita, representing the division of city schools; the city council committee on women and family relations, chaired by Councilor Joseph Juico; the city council committee on cultural affairs and tourism, chaired by Councilor Candy Medina; the city cultural and tourism affairs office; and the city public affairs and information services office, headed by Gregorio Bañacia. – Perseus Echeminada