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May puso para sa mga transgender ang Fil-Am director-producer na si Ms. Janice Villarosa. Maitituring na advocacy na niya na mas makilala at matanggap ng lahat ang mga transgender. Si Direk Janice ay nakabase sa US at director ng pelikulang Shunned na nanalo na sa iba’t ibang film festival sa abroad.
“My focus now is directing and producing. I directed a transgender film, Shunned. Tungkol sa mga transgender sa Pilipinas. It has received a lot of awards. I am honored that it is nominated for Best Picture of 2015 at New Filmmakers. Monthly festival yun. But it was selected as one of five Best.
“I started in 2010. Nag-aaral ako ng filmmaking sa Cebu at that time. I noticed that madaming transgender women sa Pilipinas. At that time, wala akong alam tungkol sa kanila. I noticed how people treated them. Lagi silang pinagtatawanan, madaming nagja-judge sa kanila. I must admit ako rin, nag-judge rin dati, kasi wala akong alam tungkol sa kanila. I wanted to change how I felt. The only way I knew how is to immerse myself at talagang ilubog ang sarili ko and find out about the transgender community,” mahabang esplika niya.
Ang Shunned ay naging kalahok na sa dalawang film festivals, sa Cebu International Film Festival at Quezon City Pink Film Festival. Ito’y tinatampukan nina Beyonce Amago, Jimmy Lou Antepuesto, Paolo Apilado, Mimi Juareza, at iba pa. Ito’y documentary ukol sa trauma and struggles na kinakaharap ng grupo ng trans women sa Pilipinas habang nakikipag-compete sa isang pageant.
Dagdag pa ni Direk Janice, “The film has also gone to France and Italy. Because of the film, I have been meeting a lot of transgender men and women, gays, lesbians, bisexual community. That is also the reason why naapektuhan talaga ako sa massacre ng miyembro ng LGBT community sa Orlando, forty nine ang pinatay at fifty three ang injured.
“It sent me chills to know na baka nangyari din yun sa pamilya kong LGBT sa Los Angeles. I am an ally and LGBT worlwide are family. I promised the cast to use Shunned and me as their voice. Especially back then when the community did not have much of a voice. I will continue to keep that promise. I was supposed to be there kaya lang I had to go to New York. I was honored na I was one of eight judges (and the only female and minority) who selected Miss LA Pride, Mr LA Pride, and Ms La Pride this year. Miss LA Pride is Filipina transgender woman, Sabela Gonzalez. “
Sa ngayon, si Direk Janice ay bahagi ng Los Angeles Philippine Film Festival na pinamumunuan ng Fil-Am Hollywood actor na si Sir Abe Pagtama. May niluluto rin silang project nina Gabe Pagtama at Direk Chris Ad Castillo titled The Night Driver. Plus, another possible project with Direk Brillante Mendoza.
“Actually my friend, Eduard Bañez is now in talks for possible future collaboration with Brillante Mendoza,” saad pa ni Direk Janice.
Ano ang masasabi niya sa The Los Angeles Philippine Film Festival? “It is the only one in Los Angeles that focuses on the Philippines. It gives filmmakers worldwide with Filipino blood to have their work be seen. This festival is not only for Filipino filmmakers but also foreigner who films in the Phlippines or its story or characters are somehow Filipino. It is another avenue for Los Angeles to find out about the Philippine culture and at the same time for Filipinos in Los Angeles, something that they can see that reminds them of home.
“Syempre maraming tao naho-home sick di ba? There are a lot of talented filmmakers in the Philippines. This is another venue for them to have their work be seen. I am excited to be in the middle of it. I not only admire and get inspired by the master filmmakers, but I also get inspired with the films I see that have been submitted. But the festival needs the support of the Filipinos especially to spread and encourage them to come to the festival. That is the only way the festival will survive and be able to carry out its mission to promote Philippine cinema in Los Angeles.”
ALAM MO NA! – Nonie V. Nicasio
