Movie Review: Sunday Beauty Queen part 2

In the first part of my Movie Review of Sunday Beauty Queen, the first documentary film ever in Metro Manila Film Festival, I enumerated why it's an investment or worthy of your money to watch it. In this part, its 3 compelling reason why it's worthy of your time?

• You will wait for months or years before you watch another movie like this. What makes Sunday Beauty Queen (SBQ) special from other films, especially among 2016 MMFF entries, is definitely a non-fiction story.  You will cry not because the artists insinuate dramatic feelings, but because the subjects touch your heart.  You also don't have to be an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) or domestic helper in Hong Kong to feel its heartwarming stories.

·         It features you, your relatives' and your culture- the lifestyle of Filipinos is indeed dynamic with the advent of social media, changes in politics, and various crazes. But if you think you are working to earn money wherever you are. Well this movie will remind you that you are probably not. Like hundred thousand OFWs, it's natural for us to think first of our love, our family, and our hope. We struggle in life here or abroad, but we don't lose hope and we fight till the last ounce of our energy.  This what Rudelyn Acosta’s (If I am not mistaken) story, which tells that she went to Hong Kong to work, but was terminated by her employer and bounced back. Luckily, she finds a new kind and supportive employer.

·         It makes your movie time a pleasure with purpose- I am self-confessed mild cinephile and moviegoer.  I, myself, cherish my movie time as it takes me away from my stress and boredom. Watching Sunday Beauty Queen, cut my long hours of researching or reading OFWs stories, Hong Kong, and beauty contest/ event organizing.  The shots are not typically shaky, stiff, and artificial.  IMHO, the blend of artistic approach and docus of Mylyn Jacobo, Leo Selomenio, Cherrie Mae Bretana, Acosta, and Hazel Perdido is just right.  I commend that they also edited it well that you get ample amount of details of the 5 subjects.  You know, we see a lot movies about beauty pageant, OFWs, and nannies but not like this. It's not interpretation of the director or creation of the writer.

    

·         It provokes you to think who are as an employer or employee.  The late Jack Soo, a Hong Kong filmmaker who employed Jacobo, commented that perhaps their country couldn’t stand without the help of DHs from Philippines.  Well, not all employers are appreciative like him or supportive like Acosta’s new employer. Just like us, Filipinos, some us may probably treat our “kasambahay” or employees not well because of our self-centered demeanor. We neglect that they also have own concerns that we don’t necessarily to shoulder, but hopefully understand.  On the other hand, being employed means sacrificing our other self.  Hazel is a single mom and IT graduate, but she has to bear the demands of her work in Hong Kong to provide for her family.  Joining beauty pageants may give her diversion, but every day for six days of her life for so many years make her joy the domestic helper mom.

These are only four of the instant reason I could think about why Sunday Beauty Queen is worthy both your time and money. Mabuhay sa lahat ng  manggagawang Pinoy!