Ilocana OFW in MMFF’s best docu-film says “Nawa’y magsilbi itong inspirasyon”

An Ilocana Overseas Filipino Worker who starred in the Metro Manila Film Festival’s Best Picture: Sunday Beauty Queen thanked Governor Imee R. Marcos for supporting SBQ.

“Nagpapasalamat ako kay Governor Imee sa pagbibigay sa akin ng pagkakataong i-promote ang aming pelikula.” The OFW said during an interview.

Hazel Perdido, a 33-year-old single mother from Paoay, Ilocos Norte narrated her success and struggle in the docu-film working as a domestic helper in Hong Kong.

Perdido’s will to earn money to support her family led her to leave her three children including her one-year-old son to the care of her mother. Instead of pursuing jobs related to her degree in Computer Science, she chose to work from Monday to Saturday as a domestic helper in Hong Kong.

“Nagtrabaho naman ako rito sa atin bayan pero kung ikukompara, mas malaki talaga ang sahod sa Hong Kong,” Perdido said.

However, Perdido’s life as an OFW breaks away when she and her fellow OFWs celebrate Sunday, their only “day off.” With festivals and pageantry, they are able to rest from their jobs, paving the way towards Sunday Beauty Queen.

“Nakakatabang puso na mapabilang sa mga gumanap sa SBQ. Hindi ko kasi inexpect naisasali nila sa MMFF.”

Directed by Baby Ruth Villarama, Sunday Beauty Queen is a documentary film about Filipino women in Hong Kong who joined beauty pageants and other festivities held during their common day off.

The story revolves around the lives of five OFW women who transformed into elegant queens after each week’s confinement and drudgery in their employer’s house.

In the docu-film, a glimpse of their real life is revealed, including Perdido’s scene: a mother watching her daughter’s graduation over her smartphone while away on her special day is a bittersweet reality for families who have OFW loved ones.

“Naiyak nga ang panganay ko pagkatapos niyang mapanood ang pelikula namin. Nawa’y magsilbi itong inspirasiyon sa mga anak ng OFW na meron kalakip na sakripisiyo para sa pamilya.”

MMFF movies, including SBQ, were shown in cinemas until January 7.–(Ma. Rhona  Ysabel B. Daoang, PGIN-CMO)