10 April 2015 – In commemoration of International Women’s Month, the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto, in partnership with the Kalayaan Cultural Community Centre (KCCC), held a free movie screening of the critically-acclaimed movie “Thy Womb” (Sinapupunan) on March 29 at the KCCC Grand Hall in Mississauga, Ontario. 

Brillante Mendoza, the film’s director, gave the Consulate General in Toronto to run the film and to use the official movie poster for the film screening, which was free admission and open to the public. Some 135 people attended.

The event served as the last official function of outgoing Philippine Consul General Junever M. Mahilum-West. In her opening remarks, Consul General Mahilum-West tied the film screening to the commemoration of International Women’s Month. She also took the opportunity to bid farewell to the Filipino community in Ontario prior to her departure that evening for her new post as Philippine Ambassador to Jordan. 

Also present was Consolacion “Mamaching” Quejas, founder of the KCCC and pillar of the Filipino Canadian Community in Ontario. The KCCC, in its closing remarks, expressed its intent to undertake similar activities in the future that highlight women and their role in society.

 “Thy Womb” is about the nature of a woman’s sacrifice and unconditional love as dramatized through the dilemma of a badjao midwife, portrayed by Nora Aunor, as she copes with the irony of her own infertility.  The movie has won numerous awards including Best Actress for Ms. Aunor and Best Director for Mr. Mendoza at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards in 2012.  “Thy Womb” was produced by Center Stage Productions and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP). It is considered one of the best Philippine films of the decade. END