Actress-producer Rebecca Chuaunsu proudly shares her true-to-life story in the film "Her Locket," one of the official entries to this year's Sinag Maynila Film Fest.
In an interview held at the Ibis Lifestyle Hotel August 8, Rebecca shared how she originally conceptualized it as a revenge film.
"But going through the research, and the materials, and telling the story with Direk J.E Tiglao, sometimes it's painful," Rebecca said.
Working both as producer and lead star of the film, Rebecca admitted she actually doubted her abilities.
"Honestly speaking I have doubts, even a day before the shoot," she related. "Even on the last night, while we were shooting the disco scene, because I had to bring my husband to the hospital, and my son had COVID-19, so my mind was all over the place."
Despite the challenges, Rebecca completed the gargantuan task.
"Her Locket" follows the story of Jewel Ouyang, the daughter of a wealthy Chinese businessman who suffers dementia and lost everything.
She ended up being cared for by his son, Kyle Nicolas, a lawyer, who later hires Teresa Firmante, a caregiver.
One morning, Jewel stumbles upon a locket containing an old photo of herself and her parents.
Teresa soon realizes that the locket helps Jewel in slowly recalling her past – her childhood, her mischievous adolescence, her husband, even her dysfunctional relationship with her older brother, Magnus Ouyang.
Jewel believes Magnus forged their deceased father Jasper Ouyang's last will to keep her out of the inheritance.
They would eventually face each other in court.
According to Rebecca, the film is her love letter to Fil-Chi women.
"I want the Chinese female voice to be heard because, in the Chinese-Filipino setting, the sons are always favored over the daughters. So, I just want the female's voice to be heard and to empower ourselves," she added.
Elora Españo who plays the caregiver in the film, considers working with Rebecca a great opportunity.
"I'm really glad that I got the opportunity to work with her on this film," Elora said.
A different kind of 'Mano Po' story
With her impressive credentials on several shows and films including the "Mano Po" series, Rebbeca shared what sets her movie apart from the well-known Fil-Chi film.
"I was there also in 'Mano Po 3' and 7, and they're more about the stories of the tycoon that are beyond our level, this one is a story about an ordinary Chinese female, and we break the barriers in this film," she said.
After a four-year hiatus, the Sinag Maynila Film Festival returns with seven full-length feature films, seven documentaries, and ten short films.
The comeback is made more significant as the iconic film fest founded by Solar Entertainment president Wilson Tieng and renowned director Brillante Mendoza also marks the celebration of Manila’s Tourism Month and Philippine Film Industry Month.
All Sinag Maynila 2024 finalist films will be screened in theaters from September 4 to 8.
Aside from "Her Locket", the other full-length features are: “The Gospel of the Beast” by Sheron Dayoc; “Banjo” written, directed, and starring Bryan Wong; “Maple Leaf Dreams” by Benedict Mique; “What You Did” by Joan Lopez Flores; “Salome” by Gutierrez Mangansakan II and “Talahib” (Legend of the Tall Grass) by Alvin Yapan.