Scriptwriter recalls his own OFW past

SCENE from three-hanky drama.

RECENTLY, we met Senedy Que, screenwriter of “A Mother’s Story,” to talk about his OFW film starring Pokwang. How was the project conceived? Que explains, “I was struck by an article about a domestic helper who was ‘imprisoned’ by her employers, whose daughter helped her escape. Thereafter, she filed a case against them and won.”

Family

The script was specifically written for Pokwang because she was once an OFW. He shares, “She had a 5-year-old son who died while she was away. Hindi s’ya nakauwi. Stories about OFWs inspire me because I too was an OFW once. Damang-dama ko ang lungkot, being away from one’s family.”

For 18 years, Que was an international flight attendant. He confesses, “I was neither here nor there, so I couldn’t get TV-movie projects. Finally, in 2009, I decided to stay here and write full-time.”

What are his tips for aspiring writers? He replies, “Write for TV, if you want a comfortable and stable life; you can’t live on movie projects alone.”

He says he has learned not to be too “attached” to his scripts “so I wouldn’t get hurt or frustrated when changes are made. Just appreciate the fact that you’re working with good directors, who will hopefully tell your stories well. Don’t burn bridges, because it’s such a small industry.”