UK, Singapore send Philippine-themed films to Oscars

MANILA, Philippines - Filipinos may possibly see a lineup of films that hit too close to home competing for the foreign language category at next year's Academy Awards.

Foreign-produced Metro Manila and Ilo Ilo are the United Kingdom's and Singapore's official entries to the Oscars, respectively, both coincidentally about Filipinos traveling to other places in search for higher-earning jobs.

Entirely spoken in Filipino, Metro Manila follows a couple played by Filipino actors Jake Macapagal and Althea Vega who moved into the gritty capital city in an attempt to escape poverty as rice field workers in the province. The two find themselves grappling with the city's darker side.

Directed by Academy Award-nominated Sean Ellis, Metro Manila has been one of the most acclaimed British-made films of the year and dubbed by The Guardian as "poetic, honest  and at times almost upsettingly real." It also won the Prix du Public at this year's Sundance Film Festival.

Ilo Ilo, meanwhile, explores the dynamics of a Singaporean family and their newly hired Filipino maid, Teresa, played by indie actress Angeli Bayani. She and her troublesome ward Jiale form a special bond.

The film was the recent hype at the Singaporean movie scene after having bagged the Camera d’Or for best first feature film at the Cannes Film Festival.

Hannah Espia's Transit is the Philippines' own entry to the Oscars also tells the story of a migrant Filipino family in Tel Aviv, Israel facing the threat of law ordering the deportation of children below five years old.

Related: Transit is Philippines' entry for 86th Oscars