Global COE Program - Kyoto University - In Search of Sustainable Humanosphere in Asia and Africa

Organized by: Da MSG（Dubai Migrants Study Group）
Contact: Masako Ishii

Let’s watch two Filipino films: “The Flor Contemplacion Story” & “The
Sarah Balabagan Story

We will show two Filipino films that are based on the actual incidents
in 1995, and are remarkable in the Philippine migration history.
 The first film is “The Flor Contemplacion Story.”  Flor
Contemplacion, who was a　domestic worker in Singapore, was subjected
to capital punishment for murder.  Despite of the Filipino people to
rescue Flor as her accusation was dubious, she was executed.  Her
death invited a nation-wide protest, and developed into diplomatic
level issue between the Philippines and Singapore.
 The second film is “The Sarah Balabagan Story”.  Sarah Balabagan,
hiding her real age of 15 years old, was working as a domestic worker
in the UAE.  She killed her employer in the UAE by stabbing him 34
times as he attempted to rape her in July 1994.  She alleged that it
was an act of self defence.  However, she was sentenced to death by
the second court. It happened just 6 months after Flor was subjected
to capital punishment and frustration of the Philippine people against
the Philippine government for its poor performance to protect its
nationals was increasing.  Nation and world-wide campaign was
developed to support Sarah.  As a result, her sentence was reduced to
1 year long imprisonment, and 100 strokes of the cane, along with
payment of blood money.  President F. V. Ramos further negotiated to
reduce her term of imprisonment for 3 months.
 The two incidents clearly showed that the lack of protection of
overseas Filipino workers would destabilize the Philippine government.
 We will invite Ms. Haruko Uchida (ASAFAS, Kyoto University), a
specialist of Philippine politics with wide knowledge also on
Philippine cinema, as a commentator.  The films do not have English
subtitle.  Kabayan, join us!

1. The Flor Contemplacion Story
Directed by Joel Lamangan, 1995, 123min, Tagalog (Filipino）
２．The Sarah Balabagan Story
Directed by Joel Lamangan, 1995, 123min, Tagalog (Filipino）