‘The Flor Contemplacion Story’ is a call for safe spaces for women
The safety and security of women, especially those working abroad, continues to be a significant issue in modern society, as reflected in the classic 1995 film The Flor Contemplacion Story.
To celebrate National Women’s Month, CCP Cine Icons screened the film about the Filipina domestic helper who was executed in Singapore after being convicted for murdering a fellow Filipina and a three-year-old boy she was babysitting, and in part, unveiled the plight of Filipina overseas workers.
Directed by Joel Lamangan, written by National Artist Ricky Lee and Bonifacio Ilagan, and starring National Artist Nora Aunor, the film was both controversial and critically acclaimed for its intense portrayal of Contemplacion’s life and tragedy.
“Napagkasunduan namin na anuman ang nangyari, based sa na-research namin, inosente si Flor, and we would take that stand,” said Lee during a Q&A after the CCP Cine Icons screening of the film held recently at the GSIS Theater. Together with his co-writer Ilagan and a team of researchers, they conducted extensive interviews and data-gathering during the production of the film.
As a well-documented film backed by extensive research and firsthand accounts from Contemplacion’s family and friends, the film continues to echo the labor migration happening in the Philippines even after 29 years since it first premiered.
Quoting data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, writer and feminist Beverly Siy shared that about 57 percent of OFWs, estimated at 1.9 million, were women in 2023.
“Sa lahat ng espasyo na ginalawan ng ating kababayan na si Flor Contemplacion, nakita natin na wala siyang safe space — sa pamilya, sa lugar na kanyang pinagtrabahuhan sa Singapore, sa ospital na kanyang pinuntahan, sa presinto, at siyempre, sa kanyang huling hantungan,” shared Siy.
The film’s portrayal of the total disregard for Contemplacion’s situation sparked resistance and conversations when it first premiered. The film reflected the current state of civil unrest during that time, having begun production just over a week after Contemplacion’s execution, as various groups were clamoring for justice.
Lee emphasized that this was not just Contemplacion’s story, but the story of a whole community—the story of every Filipino.
“Sa katunayan, ang istorya ni Flor ay isang panandang bato sa kasaysayan ng kilusang masa sa Pilipinas,” stated Ilagan. He elaborated how Contemplacion’s case paved the way for easier organizing of migrants abroad and their families in the Philippines, with the common people hanging dolls outside their houses to symbolize their support. Ilagan also added that some of the mass action scenes in the film consisted of actual footage captured in San Pablo, Laguna.
“The working class really found a common call. Naunawaan din ng sambayanan na sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaisa ng organizers at ng mga karaniwang tao, lumakas ang ating kilusan,” shared Ilagan.
Actor Julio Diaz, who portrayed Efren Contemplacion, husband of the departed OFW, emphasized the importance of showing the truth in filmmaking: “Kung ang ipinaparating mo ay katapatan o katotohanan, maraming Pilipino ang maeenganyo na manood ng ganitong pelikula. Yun pa rin ‘yung hinahanap ng mga manonood, ‘yung realidad ng isang storya.”
Siy agreed, saying: “Ang pelikula na ito ay napakagandang ebidensya ng napakaraming sakripisyo na ginagawa ng mga babae para sa kanilang pamilya at sa kanilang bayan. Isa rin siyang panawagan para sa kaligtasan ng babae sa domestikong sphere — sa pamilya.”
For its successful first year, CCP Cine Icons has screened numerous films by newly-minted National Artists Ricky Lee, Nora Aunor and Marilou Diaz-Abaya in different screening venues and partner schools nationwide. A special program of the CCP Film, Broadcast and New Media Division-Production and Exhibition Department (FBNMD-PED), this program aims to honor and popularize the life and works of the featured National Artists.
Catch the next screening of CCP Cine Icons, featuring the award-winning films Anak by National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee and Bagong Buwan by National Artist for Cinema Marilou Diaz-Abaya and screenplay by National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee and Jun Lana, at the Pier Giorgio Frassati Auditorium, University of Santo Tomas this April 15. Bagong Buwan will premiere at 9 a.m. and Anak will premiere at 1 p.m.
To get the latest updates on future film screenings from CCP Cine Icons, follow the official CCP and CCP Film, Broadcast and New Media Division social media accounts on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.