SEOUL, 31 March 2022 - The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Korea capped off its month-long celebration with a film screening of the Filipino independent film “Sinandomeng” (2017).
Ambassador De Vega welcomed guests to the special screening by noting “Sinandomeng” is a simple yet powerful narrative of a woman’s story highlighting that “it is a film which explores the multiple roles of women as mother, wife, daughter, and a steward of land and a way of life.”
“Sinandomeng” was specifically chosen by Post to draw attention to women’s broadened role in agriculture as the backbone of the rural economy, especially in developing countries. The film screening was also attended by Filipino women trailblazers in the Filipino-Korean community, including former National Assembly Representative and current Korean local media personality and host Jasmine Lee and Filipino Korean Spouses Association President Fe Gimarino Kim.
The film was shown in cooperation with the Philippines’ Eduksine platform, a Department of Science and Technology (DOST) funded start-up that brings socially-relevant films to communities through screenings via a self-developed app. The start-up's goal is to make independent Filipino films accessible from the cities and in far-flung communities in the Philippines. Ambassador De Vega expressed support for the EdukSine platform and conveyed that one of the Embassy’s cultural priorities is to promote Filipino films and creatives in the Filipino film industry, as the Republic of Korea is home to many important film festivals.
After the film showing, a Q&A with Sinandomeng’s lead actress Ms. Sue Prado was held. Ms. Prado answered questions about the importance of women breaking barriers in agriculture, art, and film, challenges of equality in the creative industry, and how Filipinos as a collective can address these situations.
Consul General Romulo Victor Israel Jr. in his closing remarks also emphasized the importance of attaining gender equality as a collective, “Men must be allies against all forms of discrimination and abuse. I am one with the strong women around me, our women colleagues, friends, and partners in achieving our sustainable development goals and in realizing that gender equality is not only a fundamental human right but the necessary foundation to achieve a peaceful, thriving, and sustainable world.”
Aside from the film screening, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega also thanked everyone in attendance for helping the Philippine Embassy in Seoul celebrate women’s month. First, in prioritizing the advancement of women through health and sustainable development projects through Juanamask Tuesdays, where 300 COVID-19 care kits were provided to female clients availing of services for the month of March, through the Embassy’s flagship webinar programs designed to help women advance in entrepreneurship and be aware of their legal rights and responsibilities, and through the JuanaSays project, an information campaign highlighting women trailblazers in the Filipino Korea community.END
