Ilonggo film director Jay Abello wants a not-so-serious discussion on Filipina beauty in a new film called Pinay Beauty (She’s No White), which is an official entry to the second edition of Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino that runs from Aug.15 to 21.
In a nutshell, the film, produced by Quantum Films, MJM Prods and Epic Media, is a satire on the average Filipino’s desire to have fairer skin, a relatable story that underscores a culture of women who stop at nothing just to make sure they’d look like a typical Caucasian.
“I wanted to do a story on that subject because nobody in the film industry talks about it. And I thought of making it a comedy to give it a lighter treatment,” Abello, who is also directing the MMFF 2018 entry Girl in the Orange Dress, told MS Entertainment in an interview.
The film, according to the director, doesn’t patronize the kind of beauty most people desire. It wanted to send a solid message that beauty is really skin deep.
“Filipina beauty is not actually in the color of the skin,” Abello started. “Her beauty is highlighted by her being loyal, caring, prayerful and helpful, her being able to make sacrifices. You see, the real beauty of a Filipina is not in the physical, it’s how she carries herself.”
The regional film maker added that Filipina beauty is seen when she’s around with her friends, “It is what you will do for your friends, for your man. It’s really the character.”
Abello said that viewers will find something interesting at the beginning of the film—a chant that they will also hear at the end of the story.
“The chant kase is ‘I’m happy when I’m beautiful.’ Then, sa dulo it becomes ‘I’m beautiful when I’m happy,” he said.
In a tale jointly penned by Allan Habon and Rod Marmol, Migs (Edgar Allan Guzman) is in a fix on how to settle his P180,000 debt from a loan shark named Tito Val.
He incurs debt upon debt because of his love for his girlfriend, Annie (Chai Fonacier), who has this dream of being flawlessly beautiful with big bosom and pointed nose.
Annie has gotten an aesthetic plan to fix herself and fulfill her ultimate dream to be Snow White in Hong Kong Disneyland and be a princess on a parade.
Migs does all he can to pay off his debts. But instead of heeding pleas, Tito Val gives him a mission he must accomplish in three days’ time—to find Lovely G (Maxine Medina), a popular celebrity.
Accompanied by four of his friends to accomplish the mission, Migs begins the difficult quest to find and meet the celebrity. They all get themselves into different kinds of misadventures in their quest to help Migs carry out this mission.
Pinay Beauty (She’s No White) also stars Nico Antonio, Janus del Prado, Mariko and Hanna Ledesma.