Director of the upcoming Vivamax film, Bekis On The Run (BOTR), Joel Lamangan on August 26 addressed the issues tackled by the movie regarding the LGBTQIA+ community, while its cast members realized what they are really fighting for.
“Well, unang-una dapat humane treatment sa mga kakaibang mga nilalang kagaya ng mga sinasabi nating mga bakla.
“Kailangan hindi binubully, kailangan hindi pinagsasamantalahan, kailangan hindi inaapi. Yung pagtrato sa iba nating kasama dapat fair, dapat mahusay,” the director said during the film’s press conference.
The cast of BOTR also took turns sharing their realizations about the reality that members of the LGBTQ community experience.
Diego Loyzaga supports the community, noting that it is wrong for gays, lesbians, trans, bisexuals, and queers to be bullied for trying to be themselves.
“People should be more aware na it’s not a choice, na it’s not something na parang they just want to be something else, it’s not like that. They just want to show people who they really are. They shouldn’t be treated any different.”
Sean De Guzman realized what members of the LGBTQ community are fighting for—equality.
“Dapat nating tignan yung mga tao na pantay-pantay. Gumawa man ng mali, gumawa man ng tama, dapat ‘di natin tintignan sa kasarian ng isang tao dahil may kanya-kanya tayong pagkakaiba sa isa’t-isa. So sana, ayun tumingin tayo ng equal.”
Beauty queen-turned-actress Kylie Versoza further understood what these members are trying so hard to achieve.
“Ako siguro mas napalawak yung pag-intindi ko sa LGBTQ community. Malalim kasi yung pinaghuhugutan nila ng mga advocacy nila.
“Sabi nga ni Direk Joel, dapat hindi natin binu-bully. At mas nakikita natin at mas naiintindihan pa natin yung pangangailangan nila ng acceptance sa community natin,” she answered.
For Christian Bables, who had portrayed gay roles before, this is his way of showing his support to the sector’s aspirations.
“Ako naman, since I did Die Beautiful, I feel na proud alay of the community… patuloy ko lang tinutulungan yung komunidad upang patuloy na ipahayag kung ano man yung gusto nilang sabihin,” declared the actor.
Meanwhile, incorporating the message in a comedy film became a challenge for Lamangan since most Filipinos are “close-minded” on topics that involve the LGBTQ community.
“Pero sapagka’t ito ay comedy, kailangan lamang na gagawin mo na hindi maging katawa-tawa ang ginagawa ng mga tao kundi nakakatawa sa paraang nakaka-kuha sila ng mga aral na p’wede ibahagi sa mga manonood,” he explained.
Despite the nature of the film is a comedy, Lamangan said it should not be taken lightly given the issues that surround the movie were serious.
“Bagama’t hindi seryoso ang pag-atake sa mga problema, hindi naman pinagtatawanan ang mga problema. Ibig sabihin, seryoso din na ginawa lamang sa paraang hindi masyadong seryoso kundi comedy,” he stressed.
Lamangan also stressed that one thing a movie like BOTR could teach its audience is to “love one another” rather than fostering hatred because some people are “different.”
“Kailangan makita natin, bagamat may mga kakaibang tao, na iba sa atin, dapat nating bigyan ng pagkakataon na mapakinggan sila, bigyan ng pagkakataon na makilala sila, at hindi sila mapagsasamantalahan at ibu-bully. So ‘yon ang pinakalaman ng pelikula.”
Lamangan then advised future film directors to research thoroughly when doing this kind of film since most people were waiting for moviemakers to make mistakes whenever they delve into the world of the LGBTQ community.
“Sa panahon ngayon, may mga lumalabas na dapat politically i-correct na pagtrato sa LGBTQ o kung anu-ano pa man ‘yon.
“May mga tumitingin na gano’n kaya yung mga gumagawa, ay dapat pag-aralan nila kung ano yung mga panuntunan, kung ano ang mga dapat hindi gawin kapag nang isang karakter na LGBTQ+, kasi marami yun eh.
“Kaya dapat alam ng gumagawa at sumusulat ang mga dapat gawin upang maging politically correct ang kanilang mga sinasabi dun sa kanilang pelikula.”
Bekis On The Run will be available on Vivamax starting September 17.
