Whither Philippine cinema: A lament by a young actress

Sobreno’s comments about the Philippine entertainment industry have ruffled many feathers in the country. — Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN

“FOR all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities. This is proof that dreams do come true,” declared Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh upon winning this year’s Oscar in the best actress category for her compelling role in Everything Everywhere All at Once. Yeoh, a long-time global celebrity of Malaysian-Chinese heritage, wasn’t the only winner of Asian descent.

Her co-star, Ke Huy Quan, won the Oscar in the best supporting actor category, cementing his position as one of the greatest comeback stories in the entertainment industry. Born in Saigon at the height of the Vietnam War, Quan and his family were temporary refugees in Hong Kong, which also happens to be the place where Yeoh launched her international career.