PCW, GSIS to release ‘All-Women Cast Lupang Hinirang Video’
The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), in partnership with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), is producing an “All-Women Cast Lupang Hinirang Video” – a first of its kind in the country.
Said project aims to pay tribute to the great women of our “herstory” and likewise presents the vital role of women in various sectors including education, culture and the arts, sports, science and technology, politics and governance, business, finance, agriculture, and fisheries, among others.
Iconic women leaders including former Senators Helena Benitez and Leticia Ramos-Shahani, Ambassador Rosario Manalo and Senator Pia Cayetano were featured in the video. Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Patricia Licuanan, Philippine Representative to the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children Aurora Javate De Dios, Journalist Che-Che Lazaro, and Filipina sports icon Bong Coo also appeared in the two-minute video.
Few Filipina Heroes in history books
Saying that Filipino women heroes occupy less than one fourth of the entire content of history books, PCW Executive Director Emmeline L. Verzosa hopes the project will create a paradigm shift that women are not mere support to Filipino men heroes, but a potent agent of change themselves.
“It has always been our dream to come up with an All-Women Cast Lupang Hinirang Video to highlight the essential role of women in our society and we are glad that we are one step away from getting that dream,” said Verzosa.
“We also want to convey our message to educators, the media and publishing companies, to equally highlight the contributions of women in our society, especially in the colorful history and rich culture of the Philippines,” she added.
In a separate statement, GSIS Senior Vice President Atty. Raquel Buensalida said that the collaboration project is just the beginning of a strong partnership leaning towards the advancement of the lives of women.
”The GSIS will continue to support the advocacy of promoting Filipino women’s rights and empowerment,” she said.
The Philippine National Anthem used in the video was sung by female vocalists from the Philippine Madrigal Singers while musical scoring was arranged by Mr. Darren Vega, with ethnic Instrumentation of Harmonya, in collaboration with Rojin Suarez of the University of the Philippines – Los Baños (UPLB) Chorale Ensemble. Legit Entertainment and Media Company, composed mostly of women staff, was engaged by the Commission to film and edit the video.
The “All-Women Cast Lupang Hinirang Video” is set to be launched in the last quarter of 2015. PCW plans to make said video the official National Anthem Video every March, which is the National Women’s Month.
“The Philippine Commission on Women is the lead agency that makes government work for the promotion of gender equality, women’s empowerment and women’s human rights.”
