Written by Precious Ringor
Last month, Disney UK released a 3 minute ad featuring a heartwarming story between a Filipino granddaughter and her Lola (grandmother), celebrating traditional Filipino Christmas customs like Parol making and passing down gifts from generation to generation. But what makes the ad special isn’t the portrayal of Filipinos and Filipino Americans on screen; it lies in the justified depiction of what the holidays mean to our culture and values.
Celebrating Christmas in the Philippines can truly be a unique experience. As early as September, Filipinos from all over the world start putting up their Christmas lights and blasting holiday tunes wherever they go. It wasn’t until Disney’s ad was released that I realized there are virtually zero holiday films made by Filipinos that are recognized worldwide. This realization is perhaps why the ad struck an emotional chord with me along with many other Pinoys, especially those of us miles away from home.
Still from the Disney UK ad “From Our Family to Yours”.
Holiday films are beloved all around because they often encompass heartwarming stories of joy, giving, and warmth. David Talbert’s film Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey on Netflix has shown that there is more to Christmas than “scary ghost stories or tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago.” Set in a time and place that’s primarily recognized as White, not only does the film feature an all Black cast, it also evokes conversations about proper representation in the media. Talbert notes that the film was born out of his experiences in watching movies as a child.
“It never seemed jarring that you didn’t see anyone that looked like you in those worlds until [you sat] down to watch those movies.”
This kind of representation is what I hope for the Filipino community and what I long to see more of in the future.
Filipinos take the phrase “Home for the Holidays” seriously. With so many of us living outside the country as OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) and immigrants, this time of year is often marked by the anticipation of families getting together to celebrate. Perhaps it’s our strong sense of family that makes Christmas in the Philippines so special. For example, the opening scene of Disney’s short features a child grabbing an older man’s hand and pressing it onto her forehead. This is called “Pagmamano”, an honoring gesture, used to respect our elders.
In fact, the part of the ad that resonates most with its viewers is the close relationship between the main character and her lola. Soon after the video was released, many took to social media to gush about how relatable they thought it was:
What I appreciated most about the ad was the way it showed/represented the Filipino diaspora so accurately. As a first generation immigrant myself, this story hit deeply. According to the Philippine Commission on Population, around 950 migrant workers leave the country every hour. Most of the time, Filipinos migrate in search of better living conditions and job opportunities, leaving their livelihoods and loved ones behind. Stories that feature their plights, like the one told from the lola’s point of view, are important because it gives its audience an insight into the lives of others – which is what we really need in the world right now: love, compassion, and kindness.
I’m grateful to live in a time during which representation is becoming more prominent in the narrative. Disney’s upcoming releases Soul and Raya the Last Dragon, for example, are at the forefront of representation right now, paving the road for future projects to come. Let’s hope that this ad sparks more interest in amplifying stories of marginalized and underrepresented communities; of people who often feel othered.
More importantly, I hope it continues to inspire Filipino filmmakers and artists alike to contribute to the growth of the Philippines’ film industry in international cinema. This year’s recent wave of Filipino-made films such as Yellow Rose (the first of its kind to be backed by a big Hollywood studio) and Lingua Franca ’s groundbreaking portrayal of trans woman’s experiences are a testament to our ingenuity as a community . To artists like me, this ad wasn’t just something I could relate to and be proud about. It’s evocative of the kind of stories I want to create and share with everyone else: stories about my hometown, my family and friends, what made me who I am, and stories that put me where I am today. I admit, I wasn’t immune to bawling my eyes out for a solid 10 minutes after watching the video. Rather than making me feel homesick, however, it gave me hope that in the unavoidable and ever-present uncertainty, there will be a more empathic tomorrow.
Image from Disney’s upcoming film Soul.
With stricter lockdown and stay-at-home regulations in place this holiday season, streaming services are bound to be on the rise. Holiday films are definitely a must see during this time, but if you are looking for something new to watch during the holidays in addition to Yellow Rose and Lingua Franca – or if you’re a fellow Pinoy who is missing home – here are some Filipino-made holiday films to add to your watch list:
Puso Ng Pasko (1998) – transl. Heart of Christmas
Synopsis: A Filipino comedy-drama fantasy film released on Christmas day of 1998. This film stars Emman Abeleda as Christopher, a man who cannot help but think he is jinxed. However, his luck changes when an impish Christmas elf (played by Jolina Magdangal) appears, offering him and his siblings a wish.
Directed by: Peque Gallaga, Lore Reyes
Ways to watch: TFC.tv
The Legend of Frosty the Snowman (2005)
An American/Canadian/Filipino animated film produced by Top Draw Animation, Classic Media, and Studio B Productions.
Directed by: Greg Sullivan
Synopsis: The mayor of Evergreen dismisses magic as nonsense, but when Frosty the Snowman blows through town, he shows the local children that magic is real.
Ways to watch: AMC (times may vary by provider) – 12/24 4:30am PST and 12/25 6am PST
or stream through Philo or Vudu
Ang Tanging Ina Mo (Last Na ‘To!) (2010)
This Filipino dramedy film was the 3rd installment to the Ang Tanging Ina film series. Starring Ai Ai delas Alas and Eugene Domingo, this film was co-produced by M-ZET Productions, APT Entertainment, OctoArts Films, and Star Cinema. The film was initially released on December 25, 2010.
Directed by: Wenn V. Deramas
Synopsis: Ina is told she only has a few months to live and her children rally to be better people to help her feel better.
Ways to watch: Prime Video or TFC.tv
Pakboys Takusa (2020)
Premiering on Christmas day, this comedy film is one of the official entries to the 2020 Metro Manila Film Festival. Produced by Viva Films, it features numerous famous Filipino comedians/actors such as Janno Gibs, Andrew E, Dennis Padilla, and Jerald Napoles.
Directed by: Al Tantay
Synopsis: A story about four friends who are bonded by their love for women. Photographer Justine (Gibbs), dentist John (Andrew E.), stand-up comedian Bruno (Padilla) and tattoo artist Drake (Napoles) hit on almost every woman they meet until karma catches up with them.
Ways to watch: Upstream.ph (for more details on how to watch, check out their website)
Poster for Puso ng Pasko.