Glaiza de Castro, Rhian Ramos, Elizabeth Oropesa and director Sigrid Andrea Bernardo weigh in on the Bong Suntay controversy.
When the cast and director of the upcoming girls’ love film “I Fell, It’s Fine” gathered for a recent media event, the conversation naturally turned to women.
After all, the project itself is built around them.
The GL film stars Glaiza de Castro and Rhian Ramos, with veteran actress Elizabeth Oropesa in a key role. It is directed by SigridAndrea Bernardo—making it an all-female creative force both in front of and behind the camera.
But with March marking International Women’s Month, the discussion inevitably veered toward a real-world issue: the backlash over remarks made by Quezon City Rep. Bong Suntay during a congressional hearing, where he used actress Anne Curtis in a sexualized analogy while making a point about intent.
Glaiza: discussing issue in a diplomatic and respectful way
The comment sparked widespread criticism and prompted a response from Curtis herself. Asked about it, the women behind “I Fell, It’s Fine” did not hold back.
For de Castro, the issue boils down to respect. “No matter who it is, whether it’s a congressman or not, it’s not right to say that,” she said.
The actress noted that while certain jokes or comments might happen among friends, saying them in a public setting is different. “It’s a bit dismaying if you talk about it in public and actually feel proud of it,” she said. “Of course, I can only feel for the women. For me, it’s important that we talk about it in a very diplomatic and respectful way. We just want respect so they’ll be aware that it’s not appropriate.”
Rhian: ‘there’s not enough education to go around’
Ramos, meanwhile, pointed to what she described as a deeper cultural problem.
“I think this country is a very patriarchal country to begin with,” she said. “And I also think there’s not enough education to go around so that we can catch up with the rest of the world—that women are not items or something that you can own and just use at your will.”
The actress added that women deserve to be seen as individuals with their own thoughts and feelings.
“We have our own hearts, our own minds. You have no right to say that in public,” Ramos said. “I mean, do you think I don’t have fantasies? I wouldn’t tell you, though. These are the kinds of things that you keep to yourself out of respect for another human being.”
She also expressed hope that parents, especially fathers, play a role in shaping the next generation.
“I hope that all the good fathers out there can raise their sons to understand how to respect women as equals, as partners, and not as something that you own.”
Elizabeth: it all boils down to good manners, right conduct
For Oropesa, the issue was simple.
“May nanay ka ba? May kapatid ka bang babae? May asawa ka ba?” she asked bluntly. “Ganyan ba ang gusto mong marinig kapag pinag-usapan ang asawa mo, ang nanay mo, ang kapatid mo?”
The veteran actress said the Philippines has long been shaped by a macho culture, though she believes things are slowly changing. “Very patriarchal ang society natin from the very beginning,” she said. “Ngayon lang umuusbong kahit papaano ang katwiran at karapatan ng mga babae.”
In the end, she said, the issue comes down to something many Filipinos learned early in school. “GMRC. It all boils down to that,” she said, referring to good manners and right conduct.
Director Bernardo was equally direct, stressing that public officials should be mindful of their words, especially in formal settings.
Sigrid: public figures shape how others behave
“First of all, you’re in Congress,” she said. “You’re in a public forum talking about the future of the country. Tigilan mo muna ang mga pantasya mo.”
Bernardo clarified that having fantasies is normal. But bringing them up during a serious legislative discussion, she said, was another matter entirely.
“Sa dinamirami ng examples na puwedeng gamitin, iyon talaga?” she said. “Matuto tayong mag-isip, lalo na kung public official tayo. Kasi nagiging example tayo.”
For the filmmaker, the concern goes beyond one remark. Public figures, she pointed out, inevitably shape how others behave.
“Lahat ng sasabihin mo mapapanood ng taumbayan,” she said. “Magiging example siya sa mga kalalakihan na normal lang sabihin ang pantasya mo sa buong bayan habang nasa Kongreso ka. Is that normal? Of course not.”
As conversations about gender and respect continue both onscreen and off, the women behind “I Fell, It’s Fine” hope the film itself adds to the dialogue.
Set to hit cinemas on April 4, the GL project by Wide International Film and Entertainment brings together four formidable women in Philippine entertainment, each bringing her own voice, perspective and strength to the story.
I think this country is a very patriarchal country to begin with. I also think there’s not enough education to go around so that we can catch up with the rest of the world—that women are not items or something that you can own and just use at your will.
Rhian Ramos
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