Film challenges Pinay stereotype

DUBAI, UAE – Under the patronage of the Philippine embassy in Abu Dhabi, Filipino lifestyle magazine Illustrado has joined forces with Dubai-based Filipino film director Kamil Roxas, winner of the Hayah Film Competition at the Middle East International Film Festival in 2008, to create “The Empowered Filipina,” a mini-documentary film that provides a compelling message of Filipina empowerment. 

Illustrado magazine’s publisher and editor Lalaine Benitez says, “This film carries the message of empowerment which is the core of our Women of Substance Project – a call for Filipinas to uplift themselves despite prevalent negative stereotypes.”  

She adds, “The film has been created not only to make Filipinos aware of the effects of Pinay stereotyping, especially here in the Gulf, but most importantly to create that spark of positive action that will encourage each Filipina to carve a better future for herself by further enriching her talents and skills and developing love for self, confidence and self-respect.” 

According to director Roxas, “I think a documentary has always been a beautiful medium and a vitally necessary form of information. Even more so when the subject is something that you can really respond to. And so on my part, it was a choice to capture not only the exploitation and stereotyping but also to change the incorrect mindset some people have of Filipinas and to share that with as many people as we possibly can.” 

He continues, “Luckily for us, the need to make it, and the need to raise awareness, resonated with everyone involved in the production and has propelled us through the very long process of shooting this film.”

?“The Empowered Filipina” had its premiere at Illustrado’s Women of Substance event in Dubai last March 27 and has been released on Youtube and other social networking sites.  The mini-documentary has drawn excitement and anticipation in Filipino communities around the world and will be rolled out in independent screening events through links with Filipino schools, community organizations, Philippine government offices, NGOs, women’s groups, socio-civic as well as spiritual groups.  To date, the film is slated to be shown in the UAE, Bahrain, Thailand, Malaysia, Ireland, Norway, Canada, Germany, and the Philippines. 

“The Empowered Filipina” was produced in collaboration with Dove Unilever Gulf, Nikon Grandstores UAE, and is supported by Emirates Airline, London Dairy and Liali Jewellery.