MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Last June 16, 2022, the British Embassy Manila and the British Council in the Philippines, with support from the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) celebrated Pride month through “The Road to Pride Continues.”
“We are proud to be champions of LGBTQ+ rights because it is the right thing to do […] It is important to remember all the people who have worked so hard and lost jobs, loved ones, families, livelihoods – to do the right thing to get us where we are today,” British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils noted during her welcome remarks.
Opening remarks were delivered by HM Ambassador @LaureBeaufils .
Sponsor"Film is important, it is something to be proud of. It reflects our society, as a way to show many facets of our identities."#Pride2022#RoadToPrideUKPH#GREATLove#adobomagazine pic.twitter.com/bKhXRnsrcZ
— adobo magazine (@adobomagazine) June 16, 2022
Pride Month takes place every June to celebrate the pursuit of equal justice for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities, as well as the accomplishments of LGBTQIA+ individuals around the world.
With short films “Isaac and the Ram” (2019, directed by Jason Bradbury, UK) and “Alingasngas ng mga Kuliglig” (The Gossips of Cicadidae, 2021, directed by Vahn Pascual, Philippines) kicking off the discussion, LGBTQIA+ advocates, film enthusiasts, and artists gathered on 16 June at the British Ambassador’s Residence.
The power of film
Bradbury’s film peeks into a night in the life of Isaac, a homeless gay teenager who was rescued from a male predator, by a bouncer named Hank. In the UK, one in four gay teenagers is homeless. The film is from The Uncertain Kingdom anthology, which was launched in 2019 and featured 21 short films about British culture.
On the other hand, Pascual’s silent film features the love story of a tikbalang [elemental beast] and the son of an albularyo [healer]. “I just wanted to say that love is equal. I want my viewers to know who the real monsters are. Are these the people who are just showing their real feelings or those against it? As a filmmaker, you have the power to change people’s minds That’s why we are here – to send our personal sentiments through the arts,” Pascual added.
FDCP Chair Liza Diño talked about the role of films and her institution in elevating the discourse on equality and inclusion. “We have created platforms to empower the youth,” as she noted that FDCP recognizes Pascual as a young ambassador for film.
ASEAN SOGIE Caucus Executive Director Ryan Silverio shared how their group empowers local LGBTQIA+ communities in the region. “Hopefully, we will be able to share good practices with the government to protect the rights of the LGBTQs.”
A panel discussion was held to further talk about films & LGBT+ stories.
In the panel:
HMA @LaureBeaufils
Vahn Pascual, Director, Alingasngas ng mga Kuliglig
Ryan Silverio, ASEAN SOGIE Caucus
Liza Diño, Chairperson, @FDCPHModerated by Malaya del Rosario of @phBritish. pic.twitter.com/8QUEDQ5dRw
— adobo magazine (@adobomagazine) June 16, 2022
“It is important that every day, really, or at the very least, every Pride month, we take time to reflect on…what [the LGBTQ+ community has] achieved for us and to hold the line and to celebrate, come together in a space that is safe, that is inclusive and to remember that love is love, and love is a human right and we are all unique in so many different ways,” Ambassador Beaufils said.
