Meet The Phenomenal Women Of ‘Malamaya’
“They say they still can’t see. I say, It’s in the arch of my back, The sun of my smile, The ride of my breasts, The grace of my style. I’m a woman. Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me.”
That’s “Phenomenal Woman,” written by Maya Angelou in 1978 that sends out an important message to the world: empowerment comes from being confident in your own female skin.
I always admire female voices, female figures, female styles. I love everything about woman. Including female directors who are speaking their truest selves, who are unapologetic, who are brave, who are changing the nature of storytelling.
I met these millennial directors: they are Danica Sta Lucia and Leilani Chavez, who almost gave up finishing ‘Malamaya.’ But thank you young women for still pushing and now, finally, it’s their full-length directorial debut.
They described, “The story navigates the gray areas of love and relationship, sexual politics, inter generational dynamics and creative ownership.”
Danica is a producer and video editor while Leilani is a soap writer and journalist. I said to them, “You guys are the future.” The thing about being a woman, directing a woman, is that they have the same “energy” and “flow.”
For me, Danica is more of the strong one while Leilani is the sweet one. But they were able to find that same energy and flow to finish the film that stars Sunshine Cruz, who’s also phenomenal.
The millennial directors admitted that, “Hindi namin napanood ‘yung mga past sexy films ni Ms. Sunshine. But we know she’s that huge actress.”
Sunshine played Nora, a 45-year old unmarried visual artist who is in an undefined relationship with a fellow artist named Jim (Raymond Bagatsing).
Nora’s dull and and uninspired life takes a colorful turn when she pays a visit to the university where her friend Alice teaches.
Here, Nora meets Migs (Enzo Pineda), young, upcoming photographer. The attraction between the two is instant. Visual artist and photographer then embark on a passionate love affair that ignites their respective lives and artistic endeavors.
In Philippine showbiz, Sunshine is a sex symbol. Every man loves her. She got that sweet face, sexy body, and remarkable acting. She has done several award-winning movies. She doesn’t mind showing her whole skin.
‘Malamaya’ is her first Cinemalaya. It’s always her dream to be part of the said festival. This year is her year as everything is going well: love life, personal life, career life.
“This is my first Cinemalaya. Hindi ko nga alam e, kasi nakikita ko ‘yung ibang artista part ng Cinemalaya, sabi ko, bakit ako hindi,” she shared.
The film needs to be seen as it conveys the idea of inner self-belief. Once this is accepted, you will be a happier and more complete person, a phenomenon.
Woman is more than the sum of her parts, much more. She is enigmatic, magnetic and is also capable of defining her own beauty. She needs to love, and be loved. She needs to find that connection, and be connected. She needs sex, and there isn’t dirty about it.
Danica, Leila, and Sunshine are pretty, phenomenally, phenomenal women!
‘Malamaya’ is produced by Spears Films, ALV Films, and Cine Likha.
