A film delves on the experience of Filipino LGBTQIA+ migrants living and thriving in the Netherlands
By IETH INOLINO IDZERDA
Tulips may be an internationally recognized Dutch symbol. But did you know that it’s not originally from the Netherlands but from Asia (Turkey, to be specific)? The same can be said for Chris Sta Brigida Kopp, Kaye Candaza, Godwin Guido Sol Dumagat Yosalina-Bouman, and Amay Coz who headline Tulipa, a film about Filipino LGBTQIA+ migrants living
and thriving in the Netherlands.
Tulipa shines the light on Filipino LGBTs who sought life outside the Philippines to assert their rights to gender equality, representation, and freedom of expression, giving the audience a glimpse of their personal experiences and life stories about survival, hope, and continuous struggle of Filipino LGBTs living in the Netherlands. It also features the participation of Filipino LGBT Europe during the 2019 Amsterdam Canal Pride Parade where Filipino LGBTs from various parts of Europe came to Amsterdam and marched (or sailed) together.
“Through this film, we want to show that Filipino migrants leave the Philippines, not due to financial reasons alone. There are other reasons talented, skilled Filipinos choose to leave the country and this is also to find security, a sense of belongingness, protection, freedom to be themselves, and freedom to love and be loved,” says Chris Sta Brigida Kopp, chairperson of the Filipino LGBT Europe Foundation and the executive producer of the film. “At the same time, we also want to highlight that many Filipino migrants still have this aspiration to return home to the Philippines but the lack of law that would recognize and guarantee protection remains a hindrance to many. Although we have lived in Europe for many years, we still consider the Philippines our home, too.”
In Manila, Tulipa will be screened at the University of the Philippines Film Institute (UPFI) at UP-Diliman in Quezon City on Wednesday, Oct. 26, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free.
The Filipino LGBT Europe have been a staunch supporter of the SOGIE (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression) Equality Bill, which aims to legalize measures to prevent various acts of discrimination against people based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. Tulipa is the extended version of #SOGIEForward campaign launched in November 2021 in preparation for the Philippine National Election in May this year. Its goal was to put the LGBT agenda on the national debate and election discussion.
“This film is intended for the equality movers in the Philippines, to show that they are not alone in the movement. They have allies in the diaspora,” adds director Rhadem Musawah, an indigenous Moro gay documentary filmmaker and human rights activist. “With hope, the audience will have the strength to create international pressure to pass the anti-discrimination law in the Philippines. Rarely in Europe are Filipino LGBTs recognized and acknowledged. This film will immortalize their stories of hardship and aspiration for the Philippines. This will ignite their sense of nationalism, that the fight is not yet over, and that they still have a country to fight for.”
Tulipa premiered on Oct.14 at the EYE Film Museum in Amsterdam. This film is made in collaboration with The Filipino LGBT Europe Foundation, The Netherlands Embassy Manila, Commission on Human Rights Philippines, ASEAN SOGIE Caucus, and MUJER LGBTQ+.
In Manila, Tulipa will be screened at the University of the Philippines Film Institute (UPFI) at UP-Diliman in Quezon City on Wednesday, Oct. 26, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free. www.FilipinoLGBT.eu/Tulipa.