By J. C. Laquiores-Burgos
THE FAT TEAM : The talented people behind the success of Fat You
I can still remember how an unlikely moment in my childhood got me injured and insulted at the same time. Eager to play outside, I was charging out of our house when a handlebar of a passing tricycle hit the right side of my head. The woman driving apologized to me as I felt my right ear pulsating in the reddest possible color I could ever imagine. But what came next out of her mouth was more hurtful than the punch on my head: “Ang taba ng bata. Napabayaan ka ba sa kusina? (This boy is so fat. Were you abandoned in the kitchen?)”
My story somehow resonates with that of Ronnel Rivera III, a third year college student from Far Eastern University (FEU). His first short film Fat You won first prize in the 19 to 21 age group (further/higher education) category of the Manila Student Film Festival (MSFF) recently held at the International School Manila (ISM) Fine Arts Theater, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. A freelance commercial model since a kid, Thirdy, as he is casually called, wrote and directed Fat You out of his advocacy and curiosity as to why some people would treat fat people like him the way they would.
“I experienced a lot of ‘sorry bawal (not allowed) chubby’ kind of rejections. In my first year at FEU, I thought of a way I could possibly raise awareness about the fat people. I talked to some fat students about their experiences of discrimination, and asked what we could do about them. I started to contact organizations dealing with this kind of advocacy; most of them were from other countries, mainly US, because there are no current organizations here in the Philippines catering to the 'fat' community. They gave me some advice on how to deal with insensitive people and also how to accept yourself. From there, I thought of a way to at least raise our voice, incorporated with my program, Communication Arts. Then that’s where I started to write a story, and turn it to a film. Fat You is my first ever film,” says Thirdy.
THE FAT TEAM : Marry Grace Yagi as the lead character Trixie
RECLAIMING THE SLUR AND CONFIDENCE
Fat You tackles the story of a fat girl named Trixie who is afraid to attend her class reunion due to the bitter experiences she’s had from her bullies who belittles her outward appearance. The vulgar overtone of the title is a manner of reclaiming the word ‘fat’ from the people who contemptuously use it. Thirdy explains, “‘Fat’ is like a curse for some of the fat people. It makes them annoyed or angry. But in our film Fat You, it tries to reverse its purpose. It is an expression that we say, and we recommend you to use it, to the people who discriminate and disrespect us for being fat.”
As for the issue of body politics or beauty politics, Thirdy claims that the film aspires to empower the plus-size community by uplifting their self-esteem. He also dreams of addressing the lack of diverse representations of the fat community in mainstream media and pop culture. “It is palpable in the mainstream media the stereotypes for the fat people . . . recognized as antagonists or bad people, comedic type of person, lazy, and the likes. With hope, I could make a film again that will tackle ‘fatphobia’ on a deeper level,’” he claims.
GO FULL FIGURE From left Thirdy Ravena (center) accepts the first prize award at MSFF
SYMBOLICALLY SIGNIFICANT
Marginalization of fat people in society does take its heavy toll on the affected members of this community, with some resorting to drastic changes in their lifestyles that may prove fatal—and even suicidal. Some, however, undergo a dramatically introspective moment of realization just like in the film. Before the big, pivotal, and climactic revelation in the story, a scene shows a contemplative Trixie wallowing in deep thought as she weighs herself on a scale. And this has affected Thirdy. “To be honest when we were filming that scene, when she realizes and accepts herself, I stopped and became emotional. It’s just that before, I felt tired hearing the same comments about me: ‘Napag-iwanan sa kusina (Left in the kitchen),’ ‘Magpapayat ka, gwapo ka pa naman (Lose weight, too bad you’re handsome),’ and so on. I kept blaming myself for being fat. But then I questioned myself, what’s wrong with being fat? Is it a requirement for us to have a toned body to live happy? So I started to stand with my view and accept myself,” he recalls.
The symbolism of that scene proves to be as significant as its goal for the audience. Thirdy claims that scene is aimed at encouraging self-acceptance among the viewers. “That scene was intended for the audience to at least have a moment of realization about themselves. We all have our own flaws, but if we just try to accept them and flaunt them, we’ll not worry about it,” he says.
Thirdy Ravena holding their award with Jamilla Chua and Pj Munoz
SELF-ACCEPTANCE IS THE KEY
Dedicated to all the fat people in the Philippines and all over the world, Fat You has enjoyed a lot of screenings at various schools and events. During the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, it won the Amazing By Choice Award at the Sine Kabataan 2017. But for Thirdy and his team of talented people, winning the first prize at the MSFF gave them more meaning to their advocacy for self-acceptance and campaign against ‘fatphobia.’ “This competition was the first ever film competition Fat You has won first prize. And it made me and my team realize that we are capable of making a film, and there are people who believe us. It is great proof that fat people are now making a voice in the Philippines,” the writer-director asserts.
As a message to the plus-size community, Thirdy believes, “It’s all a matter of acceptance; it’s all about choosing your happiness. Accepting your body does not mean accepting diseases. Acceptance comes with body positivity and healthy lifestyle. Do not try to lose weight just because you want to conform to the idealism that the media and society have taught you. Just accept yourself, live at least a bit of healthy lifestyle, and be positive toward your body. Remember, the size of your clothes, how people look at you, and the numbers in the weighing scale cannot dictate who you are. And if someone disrespects you, just look him in the eye and say, fat you!”
As for me, that episode in my childhood only remains a vivid memory of how harsh the world could be sometimes, even to small kids. But we are in charge of our lives—and our bodies. Yes, we can joke about our flaws with people we’re close to, but not with everyone. So the next time a stranger comes up to you and say, “You gained weight” or “You look fat,” just turn the other cheek, or say, “Thanks for the unsolicited description.”
Fat You stars Marry Grace Yagi and Lexcel Quina, with Robby Delgado, Ron Christian Alos, and Sydney Allison Crespo. The Plus Size Production film was created with PJ Muñoz, director of photography and editor; Jamilla Chua, production manager; Winter Delos Reyes, production designer; Diana Manguiat, assistant director; Neo Torres, associate producer; and Roselene Ariola, location manager.
THE FAT TEAM : The talented people behind the success of Fat You
I can still remember how an unlikely moment in my childhood got me injured and insulted at the same time. Eager to play outside, I was charging out of our house when a handlebar of a passing tricycle hit the right side of my head. The woman driving apologized to me as I felt my right ear pulsating in the reddest possible color I could ever imagine. But what came next out of her mouth was more hurtful than the punch on my head: “Ang taba ng bata. Napabayaan ka ba sa kusina? (This boy is so fat. Were you abandoned in the kitchen?)”
My story somehow resonates with that of Ronnel Rivera III, a third year college student from Far Eastern University (FEU). His first short film Fat You won first prize in the 19 to 21 age group (further/higher education) category of the Manila Student Film Festival (MSFF) recently held at the International School Manila (ISM) Fine Arts Theater, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. A freelance commercial model since a kid, Thirdy, as he is casually called, wrote and directed Fat You out of his advocacy and curiosity as to why some people would treat fat people like him the way they would.
“I experienced a lot of ‘sorry bawal (not allowed) chubby’ kind of rejections. In my first year at FEU, I thought of a way I could possibly raise awareness about the fat people. I talked to some fat students about their experiences of discrimination, and asked what we could do about them. I started to contact organizations dealing with this kind of advocacy; most of them were from other countries, mainly US, because there are no current organizations here in the Philippines catering to the 'fat' community. They gave me some advice on how to deal with insensitive people and also how to accept yourself. From there, I thought of a way to at least raise our voice, incorporated with my program, Communication Arts. Then that’s where I started to write a story, and turn it to a film. Fat You is my first ever film,” says Thirdy.
THE FAT TEAM : Marry Grace Yagi as the lead character Trixie
RECLAIMING THE SLUR AND CONFIDENCE
Fat You tackles the story of a fat girl named Trixie who is afraid to attend her class reunion due to the bitter experiences she’s had from her bullies who belittles her outward appearance. The vulgar overtone of the title is a manner of reclaiming the word ‘fat’ from the people who contemptuously use it. Thirdy explains, “‘Fat’ is like a curse for some of the fat people. It makes them annoyed or angry. But in our film Fat You, it tries to reverse its purpose. It is an expression that we say, and we recommend you to use it, to the people who discriminate and disrespect us for being fat.”
As for the issue of body politics or beauty politics, Thirdy claims that the film aspires to empower the plus-size community by uplifting their self-esteem. He also dreams of addressing the lack of diverse representations of the fat community in mainstream media and pop culture. “It is palpable in the mainstream media the stereotypes for the fat people . . . recognized as antagonists or bad people, comedic type of person, lazy, and the likes. With hope, I could make a film again that will tackle ‘fatphobia’ on a deeper level,’” he claims.
GO FULL FIGURE From left Thirdy Ravena (center) accepts the first prize award at MSFF
SYMBOLICALLY SIGNIFICANT
Marginalization of fat people in society does take its heavy toll on the affected members of this community, with some resorting to drastic changes in their lifestyles that may prove fatal—and even suicidal. Some, however, undergo a dramatically introspective moment of realization just like in the film. Before the big, pivotal, and climactic revelation in the story, a scene shows a contemplative Trixie wallowing in deep thought as she weighs herself on a scale. And this has affected Thirdy. “To be honest when we were filming that scene, when she realizes and accepts herself, I stopped and became emotional. It’s just that before, I felt tired hearing the same comments about me: ‘Napag-iwanan sa kusina (Left in the kitchen),’ ‘Magpapayat ka, gwapo ka pa naman (Lose weight, too bad you’re handsome),’ and so on. I kept blaming myself for being fat. But then I questioned myself, what’s wrong with being fat? Is it a requirement for us to have a toned body to live happy? So I started to stand with my view and accept myself,” he recalls.
The symbolism of that scene proves to be as significant as its goal for the audience. Thirdy claims that scene is aimed at encouraging self-acceptance among the viewers. “That scene was intended for the audience to at least have a moment of realization about themselves. We all have our own flaws, but if we just try to accept them and flaunt them, we’ll not worry about it,” he says.
Thirdy Ravena holding their award with Jamilla Chua and Pj Munoz
SELF-ACCEPTANCE IS THE KEY
Dedicated to all the fat people in the Philippines and all over the world, Fat You has enjoyed a lot of screenings at various schools and events. During the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, it won the Amazing By Choice Award at the Sine Kabataan 2017. But for Thirdy and his team of talented people, winning the first prize at the MSFF gave them more meaning to their advocacy for self-acceptance and campaign against ‘fatphobia.’ “This competition was the first ever film competition Fat You has won first prize. And it made me and my team realize that we are capable of making a film, and there are people who believe us. It is great proof that fat people are now making a voice in the Philippines,” the writer-director asserts.
As a message to the plus-size community, Thirdy believes, “It’s all a matter of acceptance; it’s all about choosing your happiness. Accepting your body does not mean accepting diseases. Acceptance comes with body positivity and healthy lifestyle. Do not try to lose weight just because you want to conform to the idealism that the media and society have taught you. Just accept yourself, live at least a bit of healthy lifestyle, and be positive toward your body. Remember, the size of your clothes, how people look at you, and the numbers in the weighing scale cannot dictate who you are. And if someone disrespects you, just look him in the eye and say, fat you!”
As for me, that episode in my childhood only remains a vivid memory of how harsh the world could be sometimes, even to small kids. But we are in charge of our lives—and our bodies. Yes, we can joke about our flaws with people we’re close to, but not with everyone. So the next time a stranger comes up to you and say, “You gained weight” or “You look fat,” just turn the other cheek, or say, “Thanks for the unsolicited description.”
Fat You stars Marry Grace Yagi and Lexcel Quina, with Robby Delgado, Ron Christian Alos, and Sydney Allison Crespo. The Plus Size Production film was created with PJ Muñoz, director of photography and editor; Jamilla Chua, production manager; Winter Delos Reyes, production designer; Diana Manguiat, assistant director; Neo Torres, associate producer; and Roselene Ariola, location manager.