Promising filmmaker Carla Pulido Ocampo of ‘Tokwifi’ and ‘Walang Rape sa Bontok’ fame. Photos compiled by Rogelio Medina
CARLA Pulido Ocampo, daughter of indefatigable Leah Pulido Ocampo (executive director of the Department of Trade and Industry’s Center for International Trade, Expositions and Missions), is a film editor, screenwriter, documentary filmmaker, and cultural worker residing in the indigenous territory of Bontoc, in the mountainous region of the Philippine Cordilleras. She is a co-founder of groups that are purveyors of alternative cinema culture in Northern Philippines: Habi Collective, Balay Habi Studio, and Pelicula Union.
She started out in film by composing theme songs and guitar-based scores for her classmates’ shorts, at the then Film Department of the College of Mass Communication, University of the Philippines – Diliman, where she graduated cum laude in 2005 (Bachelor of Arts in Film and Audio-Visual Communication).
As tourism officer of Sanchez Mira Municipality in Cagayan, she is best known for her filmography centering on the culture and lore of the indigenous Bontok Igorot people. She is writer, researcher and editor for the seminal documentary “Walang Rape sa Bontok” (2014), which won the 38th Gawad Urian award for Best Documentary in 2015, and which was shown in the Festival Internacional Signos da Noite in Portugal for two consecutive years (2016 and 2017) as well as in film festivals in the United States, Thailand and France.
Her short film “Tokwifi” (she’s the director, screenwriter, editor and colorist) won the Special Jury Prize at the 7th QCinema International Film Festival in 2019. It also won the Best Short Film in the 16th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, 43rd Gawad Urian, and 68th FAMAS Awards. It was shown in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Spain, Myanmar, Chile, and Taiwan film festivals.
Tokwifi (pronounced “tok-wee-fee”) is a short film that explores the what-ifs of differing love languages. But more than that, it is also a parable reflecting two significant issues in Philippine media – (1) how women characters are “boxed” within men-dependent stereotypes throughout the history of local television; and (2) how famous Philippine personalities – labeling our indigenous mountain people as “primitive”, “uncivilized” or perennially unkempt – has time and again broken the indigenous heart.
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During the last Sunday of February, Pastor Ken Jensen at non-denominational Northgate Church on Lake Herman Road in Benicia, California talked about Matthew 26:31-32 which states that “Tonight you will all desert Me; for it is written, ‘I shall strike the shepherd and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up I will precede you to Galilee.” He mentioned about our flaws and failings are no surprise to God. Our pride can blind us to our flaws.
There is the portion in a song that has ingrained into my mind: “Who else is worthy? There is no one. Only Jesus.”
After the church service, I happened to see at Northgate my niece Angela Valdez with her hubby Jose and her talented daughter Tali as we had a little talk.
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Even though I am here in the U.S., I extended my birthday greeting to Senator Jinggoy Estrada (February 17). I asked him about his three wishes on his birthday.
“Good health especially for my parents. Enact more bills that can help our marginalized sector of our society. To have a REAL UNITED country,” he said.
I hope and pray there will be real unity in the Philippines.
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Deanne Marie Mate, or Dia, from Cavite was crowned recently as Miss Reina Hispanicoamericana 2025 in Bolivia. She is the granddaughter of Justice Secretary Boying Remulla.
A singer-songwriter, Dia is in a relationship with OPM singer Juan Carlos Labajo.
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President Donald J.Trump signed an executive order to protect all women and end the war on female athletics.
“From now on, women’s sports will be only for women,” said the president who wants to keep men out of the women’s sports.
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The late Au Kumano was a member of the famous Vicor Dancers and Solid Gold Dancers. She appeared in a Dolphy produced movie with Alma Moreno and Rolly Quizon. She was also seen in rapper-comedian Andrew E and Queen of All Media Kris Aquino’s films. She was a choreography instructor of the defunct German Moreno’s That’s Entertainment show on GMA7 and was a part of a dance group at Eat Bulaga noontime show. Singer Yeng Constantino used to call her “Ate Au” as a sign of respect.
Au came from a family of artists. Among them were National Artist for Dance Leonor Orosa-Goquingco, Father of Philippine Glass Sculpture Ramon Gahol Orlina, and LVN Director Felicing Constantino.
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When I interviewed Kris Aquino during the taping of her show directed by Jose Javier Reyes some years ago, she was kind, accommodating and humble. I was then working during the day at Malacañang Palace and at night as a freelance journalist in a broadsheet.
Years have passed and Kris Aquino remains strong and and firm to go on with life. I am praying for her recovery.
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Paulo Xavier Ilano from the Philippines recently attended Alorica’s 2025 kickoff event in Las Vegas, Nevada, where company leaders gathered to celebrate achievements, discuss the future of the organization, and strengthen partnerships. The event brought together more than 120 leaders from across Alorica, led by co-CEOs Michael Clifton and Max Schwendner.
Pictured in a group photo somewhere in this column are Alorica’s Co-CEOs Max and Michael, alongside company leaders Anastasia Bellos, Jesse Rodriguez, Alexandra Spredemann, Cielito Merriam, Carlos Tala, Sarah Le Blanc, Ricardo Cantú, Annette Tucker, Luis Morales, Paulo Xavier Ilano, Lauren Cox, Maddie Kunik, Grace Chiu, Scott Karlin, Alejandro Vela, Lourdes Gallero, Michelle Fernando, Ross Ong, Eduardo Heart, and Austin Levine.
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I was fortunate to be inside the office of Philippines’ First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos in the Bahay ng Pangulo (Presidential Residence) in Manila.
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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