Sunday Beauty Queen showcase how Filipina domestic workers in Hong Kong prepare for the annual beauty pageant.

(photo courtesy of Mr. Brian De Lima Ambulo)

02 March 2020, LISBON – In celebration of International Women’s Month, a Filipino documentary film entitled “Sunday Beauty Queen” was featured as part of the Embassy’s Gender and Development Program at the Embassy’s monthly Linggo sa Embaixada held at the Embassy’s chancery on Sunday, 01 March 2020.

The documentary film directed by Director Baby Ruth Villarama is an empowering story which takes a deeper look into the lives of five (5) Filipina Overseas Workers who come from various backgrounds and form part of the Filipino diaspora working in the homes of families in Hong Kong. The film further shows the realities and struggles of OFWs and how their social life centers on competing in and supporting an annual calendar of beauty pageants which are a sense of pride for many Filipinos in Hong Kong.

The film screening, which was made possible with the support of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), was well attended by an audience of over 40 guests, which included the members of the Filipino community and Filipino graduate students in Lisbon with their Portuguese friends. The film screening ended with the Philippine Ambassador to Portugal, Celia Anna M. Feria emphasizing this year’s theme of “We make change work for women” and the importance of women empowerment in the society.

In line with the Embassy’s initiatives to protect national security and the welfare Overseas Filipinos abroad, the Philippine Ambassador gave a reminder to the audience to be vigilant of their surroundings given the rapid rise of positive cases of COVID-19 virus worldwide, including two (2) Portuguese citizens who tested positive in the northern city of Porto, Portugal.

Alcohol bottles which were distributed to all the guests to remind them of proper hygiene to avoid the COVID-19 virus.