FROM THE MARGINS

Movies are not just for entertainment. They reflect the world we live in, portraying the struggles and triumphs faced by individuals and communities. A powerful medium, movies could shape public opinion, educate, and even drive social change.  This is why I am very excited about “I Remember You,” a movie that is currently being filmed in Boracay.  It was inspired by the stories of microfinance workers and clients on the island. 

In February last year, I wrote about Boracay and how impressed I was with the microfinance clients’ resilience despite the challenges they faced when the island was shut down in 2018 and when the Covid-19 pandemic happened.   I also shared the story of Isidro Gabayno, Jr. or Isid, the branch manager who painstakingly turned around the microfinance centers in the area. He and his staff worked closely with the clients: supporting livelihoods, rehabilitating loans, mobilizing savings. Their efforts drastically reduced their high portfolio-at-risk, transforming centers with delinquency problems into high-performing ones with good repayment rates. Their stories are truly inspiring, so I am happy that a film is being made based on them. 

“I Remember You” is being produced by a microfinance-affiliated organization that in 2022 launched the SineMaya Community Film Festival which features independent short films written and produced by microfinance clients.  Harnessing again grassroots artistic talents, this film will feature the day-to-day lives of ordinary people in the community, with microfinance clients playing true-to-life roles.  

JC Santos, who won the Best Supporting Actor Award in the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival will play the lead role of a microfinance manager based loosely on Isid.  While the lead characters will be played by professional actors (JC and actress/comedienne Valeen Montenegro), most of the cast are workers and clients of different microfinance institutions (MFIs), like ASA Philippines, CARD, and USWAG. 

“I Remember You” was written by multi-talented artist, Hugo “Boboy” Yonzon III, who is also directing the film. He and the cast were in Boracay recently, with cinematographer par excellence, Roberto ‘Boy” Yñiguez, to shoot scenes for the movie.

I had the chance to interview Aylen Mercado, a microfinance saver who has been cast in the movie. She is the mother of Tiktok sensation Queenay Mercado.  Aylen once dreamed of being an actress but her conservative father prevented her from pursuing this dream. She is ecstatic that by sheer good fortune, she was cast as JC’s mother in the film.  Her sister, Alona Reyes, is a long-time microfinance member and used to borrow funds to support Aylen’s children’s education when remittances from her OFW husband were late in coming. Aylen’s family now owns a coffee shop and an RTW business.

Another microfinance client, Juan Aminoso, landed a role as an e-trike driver in the film.  He is 68 years old, and proudly told me that he and his wife, together with their six children, are all microfinance members. He said his MFI helped him support his children’s education. Most of them graduated from college and all have decent work. He is very happy to be cast in the movie. “This is a childhood dream come true,” says Juan.

Other microfinance clients in Boracay became part of the movie production in other ways. I met Helen Jimenez, 57 years old, who has been a microfinance member since 2018. She has an eatery and was tapped as one of the food providers for the crew and actors. “I am proud to provide food for them, and this is a good promotion for our business,” says Helen.

Sherlita Gardoze, another food provider for the film’s cast and crew, shares Helen’s sentiment. She has been a microfinance member since 2006. Her husband is also a member. Her first loan was only P5,000, but after completing several loan cycles, her current loan is now at P500,000.  She used the funds to grow her eatery and build a 10-room apartment boarding house. She shares that she earns a substantial monthly income from her boarding house and eatery. She employs six full-time staff.  

“I am grateful to my MFI,” says Sherlita, “because before, I used to borrow from moneylenders at very high interest rates. My MFI offers reasonable rates and other benefits.” 

I also attended the center meeting of Bantud Center 4 in Sitio Bantud, Manocmanoc, Malay. There were about 15 members in attendance, and all of them were awed that their center meeting will be included in the film. I was impressed when the center chief, Editha Dujalo, reported a 100 percent repayment rate. I was also pleased to hear the members share how their MFI is helping them grow their businesses and send their children to school. 
I cannot wait to see this film!  Shot in beautiful Boracay, with its warm people and stories full of hope, it will surely impress and inspire!

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“Cinema is a mirror that can change the world.” – Diego Luna

(Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip is a poverty eradication advocate. He is the founder of the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development Mutually-Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI).)