KaladKaren with her acting trophy
“This award does not only recognize my work, but also me as a person,” said transgender woman KaladKaren after winning the best supporting actress honor at the recently concluded 1st Summer Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Gabi ng Parangal for her performance in the comedy film “Here Comes the Groom.”
The Chris Martinez movie also won second best picture, as well as a Special Jury Prize for ensemble acting.
“I’ve never thought I’d win any award because, as a transgender woman, I thought I will never be enough. I share this with all transgender people, drag artists and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, whose lives and existence are being threatened all over the world right now. I want to remind all of you that we are more than enough,” said KaladKaren, whose name is Jervi Li in real life.
Diversity and inclusion
She then thanked the festival jury, headed by actress Dolly de Leon, for honoring her work. “It only goes to show that there is diversity, inclusion and equity in Philippine cinema,” Kaladkaren declared.
After the awards ceremony held at the New Frontier Theater, KaladKaren spoke with movie scribes about what she thought was the significance of the trophy she had just received. “Especially now that there’s trans aggression in America, I hope this will make us realize that we have a space in society, and that we have to uplift one another, help one another. The fight of one of us is the fight of every human being, not just as a heterosexual, or as an LGBTQIA+ member, or as a transgender.”
She continued: “Para sa mga batang beki (young gays), don’t be afraid to be you. Don’t be afraid to dream because you’ll never know, you will also get to experience this one day,” KaladKaren pointed out. “Don’t forget the message of our movie—your looks and gender are not as important as what’s in your heart and soul.”
Among those she thanked in her acceptance speech were broadcaster Karen Davila, whom she has impersonated for years, and comedian Vice Ganda, “who has broken so many barriers, opened so many doors for us to be able to enter this industry. She is one of the reasons I am here right now,” she said. “And to the love of my life (British national Luke Wrightson), who for 11 years has shown me and made me feel that I’m more than enough, thank you.”
The 1st Summer MMFF will run until April 18. INQ