“Kontra Corona” documentary film, screens in London

by Antonio J. Montalván II

JEK team with SOAS Directors and FWA ladies

“Kontra Corona”, a first of its kind documentary film that chronicled the trials and tribulations of Filipino and Euro-Pinoy health frontliners in four countries, premiered to a packed audience in London recently.

Produced by award-winning Juan EU Konek, “Kontra Corona” is a series of six documentaries on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected and continues to affect the Filipino expatriate communities in Europe.

The docu-film highlights the critical role Filipino health frontliners play in the battle against the global contagion in their host countries in United Kingdom, Spain, Italy and in the Philippines.

JEK hosts with film showing hosts.

It tells the powerful and inspiring stories of Filipino frontliners living the daily risk of infection, their struggles and resiliency to overcome the covid pandemic.

The docu-film narrates the heart-wrenching sacrifices made by Filipino frontliners in the performance of their duties, including the enormous mental and emotional pressures they face everyday.

The series are moving stories of Filipino frontline workers who were separated from their families, infected by the disease and succumbed to the deadly virus.

Dr. Adam Habib, director of the School of Oriental and African Studies of the University of London, welcomed the Filipino communities from England and Wales who watched the premier at the Brunei Gallery.

Ambassador Antonio Lagdameo giving an inspiring speech.

Diplomats from the Philippine Embassy in London, headed by Ambassador Antonio Lagdameo, Labor Attaché Amy Reyes, and Tourism Attaché Gerry Panga, graced the occasion.

Around 200 members of the Filipino community, watched the docu-film with friends such as the noted writer, Tom Sykes from Portsmouth University.

Rose Eclarinal and Kaladkaren Davila pose with audience

ABS-CBN celebrity Kaladkaren Davila co-hosted the showing with Kiara Gregorio, the youngest presenter of Juan EU Konek.

Kontra Korona was executive-produced by veteran Filipino journalist, Rose Eclarinal, with associate producer, Jay Montelibano MacLeod.

The docu-series were co-written by Gene Alcantara, Crystal Dias, Sandra Sotelo Aboy, and Mye Mulingtapang, with Thirdy Ado as the director of photography.

Behind-the-scene talents in Europe and the Philippines complete the production staff.

JEK team with ABS CBN European Director Luis Bariuan

The first part of the documentary was aired earlier in March 2021 in ABS-CBN DZMM TeleRadyo and Sky Cable Channel 26 through the support and collaboration of World Remit, Caviteños UK and the Filipino Women’s Association UK (FWA-UK).

The National Lottery Community Fund, a public distributor of money raised by National Lottery players across the United Kingdom, funded the documentary.

The NLCF awards grants, funds projects and activities that transform communities, protect heritage, and enrich lives through arts, sports and culture.

- *