ILOILO Film Poster
Auntie Terry together with the men who she took care as a boy in the 1990s - Director Anthony Chen (left) and his brother
Auntie Terry recalling her fond memories with the Chen boys
Teresita "Auntie Terry" with Angeli Bayani the actress who portrayed her in the film
While the
critically acclaimed film ILO ILO is making waves around the world receiving
accolades and earning rave reviews from film critics and movie fans, the real
nanny behind it Teresita "Auntie Terry" Sajonia was never given due
recognition by the Congress or Philippine government. Sajonia who hails from
San Miguel town in Iloilo is portrayed as a loving, kind, patient and
understanding nanny who took care the cute boy of a Singaporean couple during
the tumultuous Asian economic crisis of the 1990s. The boy happens to be the
director itself Anthony Chen. The poignant film warmed the cold hearts of many
because it showcased the modern beautiful Singapore with very warm affectionate
family and how they treat people including their servants and workers. Angeli
Bayani whose exemplary portrayal of Auntie Terry in the film epitomizes the warm
hearted, kind, patient, hard-working and the sunny disposition of Filipino
workers worth recognizing by the government because Filipino migrant workers
are the driving force of the Philippine economy pouring in billions of dollars
of overseas remittances every year. I wonder why these crappy corrupt
politicians never dare to submit resolutions giving her at least an honor and
due recognition if not really help her uplift her miserable situation. There is
less media attention to her that these corrupt politicians want to make
themselves feel good in front of the camera to consider giving her such an
honor. All they want is to steal billions of pesos from taxpayer's money. So pathetic!
