Empowered women in politics

Curtain-raisers:

Readers (names withheld upon request) have contributed pieces of advice as rejoinder to this corner’s “20 Things to Do in 2019” story (Jan. 1, 2019 issue):

• Reader No. 1 (quoting Anthony Hopkins): It’s none of my business what people say of me and think of me. I am what I am and I do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything.

• Reader No. 2 (quoting Albert Einstein): Stay away from negative people. They have a problem for every solution.

• Reader No. 3 (forgot where he got the quotation rephrased): I have no formula for success but I have a formula for failure: Try to please everybody.

And from Your Funfarer: Leave your bad mood or personal problems at home; don’t bring them to work lest you infect your co-workers. Your time at work is paid by your employer and don’t waste it by sulking or grumbling.

* * *

Missed out in this corner’s New Year wishes is Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos’ plan to establish a Creative Philippine Charter which she discussed during two separate free-wheeling lunch chats with the movie writers in whose presence she felt so at ease that she could talk freely.

But before that, Imee mentioned half-joking that the age of strongmen was being replaced by the age of strong women…yes, empowered women who are at the helm of various branches of government.

“In many ways,” explained Imee, “women’s style of leadership is more millennial. It’s more inclusive and more consultative. More nanay-nanayan, order-order everyone around. In local government, you have to consult everybody until you arrive at a consensus.”

Besides Imee (and, as she mentioned, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel), empowered Filipino women who also hold important positions in government include (as they come to mind) Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, Davao City Mayor Sarah Duterte; Senators Cynthia Villar, Nancy Binay, Loren Legarda, Grace Poe and Risa Hontiveros; and Congresswomen Vilma Santos, Rosemarie “Baby “ Arenas, Sol Aragones, Imelda Marcos, Pia Cayetano and Lucy Torres.

And with other ‘empowered women’ in government like Davao City Mayor Sarah Duterte, shown in right photo with Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte who is running for Mayor in May’s mid-term elections wth Q.C. Councilor Gian Sotto as runningmate.

“We are the Powerpuff Girls,” said Imee tongue-in-cheek.

If and when Imee pushed through with her plan to establish a Creative Philippine Charter, she would surely get full support from her fellow “empowered women” as well as from the members of the entertainment industry.

“The way things are produced now, and with the state of technology, there’s a need for a multi-media platform. Projects start from graphic novels and evolve into teleserye, to film, to merchandise and to theme park. Star Wars is now even into furniture. South Korea has a flourishing Koreanovela tour (that includes a visit to the Korean Village where most of the Koreanovelas are filmed).”

Incidentally, Imee’s turf has its own movies-inspired tour.

“Our homegrown attractions include those inspired by the FPJ-starrer Panday, the Nora Aunor starrer Himala, Mad Max, Bagani, etc. Not only local films but also those by Hollywood have been shot in Ilocos, such as Born on the Fourth of July (with Tom Cruise). In fact, we are now known as the Teleserye Capital of the Philippines.”

It’s understandable why Imee (who has theater background) has a soft spot for the entertainment industry. Back then, she produced the kiddie show Kaluskos Musmos and headed the Experimental Cinema of the Philippines (ECP) which produced such classics as Oro, Plata, Mata; Himala; Soltero; Misteryo sa Tuwa; Isla; and Scorpio Nights which were shown uncensored during the 1982 Manila International Film Festival (MIFF).

“That film festival was way ahead of some similar events in Asia,” noted Imee. “We were ahead of the Busan Film festival (in Korea).”

Aurora screened in several US cities

After winning Second Best Picture in the ongoing Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), the Yam Laranas-directed/Anne Curtis starred Aurora is set to be screened in the US starting Jan. 18 after a round of screenings in several Middle East countries on Jan. 3.

Here’s the schedule:

• Califorina: Burbank, 30; Century Tanforan, 20; Union City, 25; Cinemark Carson, 13; Elk Grove Laguna, 16; Milpitas Great Mall, 20; Richmond Hilltop, 16; Century River Park, 16; Orange Stadium Promenade, 25; Roseville, 14; Cerritos Stadium, 10; Ontario Palace Stadium, 22; West Covina Stadium, 18; and UA Horton Plaza, 14.

• Illinois: Century Stratford Square, 16.

• Nevada: Century Orleans, 18; and Village Square Stadium, 18.

• Florida: Tinseltown, 20; and Cinemark Orlando.

• Maryland: Egyptian, 24.

• Alaska: Century Anchorage, 16.

• Virginia: Military Circle, 18.

• Arizona: Cinemark Mesa, 16;

• Washington: Parkway Plaza Stadium, 12.

• Hawaii: Pearl Highlands, 12.

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