In an interview on the program Scenezone, Baby Ruth Villarama, an internationally acclaimed documentary filmmaker, highlighted the enduring struggles and sacrifices of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) as she reflected on the impact of her award-winning documentary, Sunday Beauty Queen.
Nearly a decade after its release, Villarama admitted she was still a young storyteller when she created the film, but emphasized that the realities faced by OFWs remain deeply relevant today.
“Isang dekada na yung ‘Sunday Beauty Queen.’ I was such a very young storyteller, and I was still figuring out things. I mean, there are still more than 10 million Overseas Filipino Workers, at isa siya sa number one export natin — human labor,” she stressed.
According to Villarama, the Philippines continues to rely heavily on human labor as one of its top exports, with millions of Filipinos working abroad to support their families.
“Guys, human labor. Nagpapadala tayo noon. So, sa akin, kailangan siyang busisiin. Hangga’t maraming challenges na kinakaharap ang mga kababayan natin, ang daming kuwento,” she said.
She stressed that as long as OFWs continue to face hardships and sacrifices overseas, stories like Sunday Beauty Queen will continue to resonate with audiences around the world.
The filmmaker also expressed her desire to shift away from narratives centered solely on victimhood and instead focus on empowering stories of Filipinos abroad.
“Gusto ko lang ding ibahin na yung victimhood ng mga kuwento natin… Let’s empower ourselves through these empowering stories ng ating mga kababayan,” she said, while citing the global contributions of Filipino nurses, caregivers, and domestic workers who continue to earn admiration for their compassion and dedication.
Beyond highlighting struggles, Villarama hopes future documentaries will further celebrate the resilience and heroism of modern-day Filipino workers across different industries.
For the director, storytelling is not only about exposing realities but also about honoring ordinary Filipinos who continue to do extraordinary things for their families and for the nation.
