The Philippine Film Industry is thriving! This year, the Metro Manila Film Festival finally held its first-ever summer edition; as expected, it did shine a light on some real gems! Among the standout stars was Kaladkaren, who just made history as the first transgender woman to win the Best Supporting Actress award for her outstanding performance in Here Comes the Groom. Can I get a round of applause for this incredible achievement?!
It's a momentous occasion for the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies, as it represents another step forward towards acceptance and inclusivity. But let's not forget the trailblazers who paved the way for Kaladkaren and all the other transgender personalities who've made it to the top! Let's give credit where credit is due and acknowledge those who came before us!
Let us start off with the one already introduced, Kaladkaren!
Jervi Li, also known as Kaladkaren Davila, or simply Kaladkaren is the first-ever transgender woman who received Best Supporting Actress in the MMFF category. She is a well-known TV host, impersonator, actress and LGBTQIA+ rights advocate. She appeared in the film Here Comes the Groom, a comedy film. The film is considered as the "funtastic sequel" to the 2010 box-office hit "Here Comes The Bride". This is written and directed by Chris Martinez.
“The comedy begins when the family members of Dee’s character figure in a collision with KaladKaren’s group of "konteseras" in a magnetic field during a solar eclipse.” Keempee de Leon, Maris Racal, Awra Briguela, Gladys Reyes, Eugene Domingo, and Xilhouette also starred in the said film.
Oh my gosh!!!!!!! First part of my speech! This is for all transgender people, drag artists and members of LGBTQIA+ community!
— KaladKaren (@jervijervi) April 11, 2023
Mabuhay tayo! Mabuhay ang pelikulang Pilipino!
❤️🌈🏳️⚧️ pic.twitter.com/6qkNkiNBnx
According to KaladKaren in one of her interviews, she mentioned that she had expressed so much gratitude for Enchong Dee, for helping her “act like a man” in her role. She also said “Sa totoo lang napakahirap sa isang transgender woman tulad ko na magpakalalaki. Tinalikuran ko na 'yan!” - cited in Mario Dumaual’s news article titled Why Enchong said 'I love you' to KaladKaren after film screening, posted Mar 30 2023.
Kaladkaren stated too that she shared her achievement with the transgender people, drag artists and members of LGBTQIA+ community!
Iyah Mina
Iyah Mina was the first transgender woman who won “Best Actress Award” at the 2018 Cinema One Originals Film Festival. It was an award for her breakout and debut film 'Mamu, and a mother too’ where she played the role of a transgender sex worker, and at the same time took the role of being a mother, after adopting “Bona", played by EJ Jallorina. Iyah Mina is a well-known comedienne and actress. She is indeed an icon, "'Di Ba True?!"
its like iyah mina, a trans woman, winning best actress in cinema one originals. pic.twitter.com/Fr7fg01TTB https://t.co/kT4xC7Xrn6
— max (@romcomwon) August 25, 2020
Rod Singh
Rod Singh, a director, writer, and an actress is popularly known for Mamu: And a Mother Too (2018), Isang tula para sa nawawala (2018) and Drag Den (2022). She was awarded as the Best First Feature director of the same film participated in by Iya Minah 'Mamu, and a mother too’ in the Young Critics Circle, Philippines in 2019. What makes it more of an amazing milestone was the fact that she was once a first-time festival entry director competing against the veterans of the film industry directors. She is also a LGBTQIA+ advocate.
After the Drag Den queens' individual runway walk posted on their own social media accounts, Drag Den's director Rod Singh posted her runway walk with the caption:
— Philippine Drag Updates (@DragUpdate) December 3, 2022
"Pwede mag-angas? Excuse me lang ha, dadaan kasi kami. Keme! Haha @dragdenph song now on spotify! Stream now!" pic.twitter.com/OdxJNRSZ9L
One of her most notable films, Mamu: And a Mother Too (2018), was not only a fan favorite but also a nominee for several prestigious awards. This gem of a film received nominations for Best Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Picture at the Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival. Can we get a round of applause for this amazing feat? It's clear that this filmmaker knows how to make quality cinema that resonates with audiences. And just when we thought she couldn't get any more impressive, Singh has also shown overflowing appreciation and support for her fellow nominee, Kaladkaren. It's inspiring to see such support and encouragement within the film industry!
As Elektra once said, “we fought for our place at this table, and that has made us stonger than they’ll ever be”
— rod singh (@iamrodafrog) April 11, 2023
Sending love and support for our mmff best supporting actress nominee, @jervijervi ! You got this, sis! We’re right behind you 🏳️⚧️
Moreover, Rod Singh, showrunner of Amazon Prime Video original series Drag Den Philippines, and her inspiration in creating more spaces for drag comes from her being a transwoman.
These women are not only the embodiments of the awards recipient’s excellence, but also the mark of the transgender personalities’ capability. Indeed they can shine with God-given talents, and they are able to take up space.
These recognitions are pillars of acceptance and equality in general: what we aim for, as they remain a minority sector. Amidst all the challenges that come along the way, this is also hoped and expected to grow as more and more transgender women will exude their confidence drawn from the inspirations brought by these spectacular women, which is find their places not only in films but in many fields.
Gender was never an issue to become a notable personality, at least that is what these people have proven, but rather it is our guts that allow us to rise like phoenix in the fire and erase the notion that we are not susceptible to such recognition, however unique we are.
