In the beginning, it was meant to be a full-length narrative film collaboratively directed by Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil and Jeffrey Jeturian, both progressive filmmakers.
Along the way, though, the film "Lakambini Gregoria de Jesus," Andres Bonifacio's love of his life, experienced some challenges that it was shelved for a considerable amount of time—ten years to be exact.
Until it was jumpstarted by Ellen by transforming it into a documentary drama or in the literary sense, creative non-fiction.
Ongkeko-Marfil sought the support, not only of Jeffrey, but Rody Vera, Neil Daza and Arjanmar Rebeta as well and they completed a historical film.
Many Filipino women have identified with the project including Senator Risa Hontiveros who passed a Senate resolution to dignify the 150th birth anniversary of Ks Oryang.
"Lakambini Gregoria de Jesus" will be screened in May, the birth month of the Katipunan heroine.
According to Ellen, “…the film…took time to get completed and perhaps it’s all about timing,” she said.
“Many are working together to make this a national commemoration, with resolutions already filed in Congress! We thank Senator Risa Hontiveros in the Senate and Cong. Arlene Brosas, Cong. Raoul Danniel Abellar Manuel and Cong. France Castro at the House of Representatives for championing this important cause.
“Ongoing right now at the House is the second hearing on the resolution to honor Lakambini…,” Ongkeko-Marfil continued.
The City of San Pedro has followed suit when San Pedro City councilor Bernadeth Olivares filed a resolution with the council and has been approved on the same subject.
This is a good move for Olivares.
Lagunense women should pay attention to the contributions of Ka Oryang in the making of the nation and of San Pedro as a community.
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #OpinYonNews #Lakambini #GregoriadeJesus #Imagery