By NEIL RAMOS
Jennifer Laude made headlines in 2014.
Amid the ongoing pandemic, it seemed already quite a long time, and given the hardships we are all going through, it is understandable how most have seemingly forgotten about it.
But should we really?
For those not in the know, here’s the short version of Laude’s story:
Laude was a transgender woman from Olongapo.
She was set to marry a German national but was killed by Joseph Scott Pemberton, a US marine.
it all started with Pemberton and Laude meeting at a bar, October 2014. They got cozy and eventually ended at a motel.
It was there that Pemberton discovered Laude was a transgender woman.
In a rage, Pemberton ended up drowning Laude in a toilet bowl.
The case hogged headlines with Laude’s friends and loved ones, human rights organizations, women’s groups and the LGBTQ community making sure the whole world knew about it, taking to the streets calling for justice.
Pemberton was eventually convicted of her murder.
It could have ended there but for President Duterte granting Pemberton absolute pardon after only serving 6 years of his 10-year sentence.
So again, should we really just forget all about it?
We think not.
Laude’s story should be remembered not only because it highlights the continued discrimination and violence being faced by many, particularly the poor, the marginalized; it also put a spotlight on politics and how it has dunked Philippine sovereignty and democracy deep in the dirty toilet bowl of hell.
Thankfully, all these are recalled in “Call Her Ganda,” a documentary streaming on VivaMax starting Feb. 12.
“Call Her Ganda” allows viewers a deeper view of the whole case, as told through the eyes of Meredith Talusan, a transgender journalist.
Talusan paints an intimate portrait of what Laude was like, her family and friends, the men and women who fought for her, and the movement her death sparked.
Directed by PJ Raval, and produced by Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala, Marty Syjuco, and Lisa Valencia Svensson, “Call Her Ganda” had its World premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival and its International Premiere at Hot Docs in 2018.
It won the Grand Jury Award, Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival 2018; Best Documentary Audience Award, Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film Festival; Grand Jury Special Mention, Outfest Los Angeles 2018; Audience Choice, Best Feature Film, Seattle Asian American Film Festival 2019.
