‘1521’ producer shares insights on showcasing Filipino heritage through film

Screencap from ‘1521’

In a world where cultural diversity is being celebrated and embraced, Francis B. Lara Ho, the producer of “1521: The Quest for Love and Freedom,” sheds light on the significance of sharing Filipino heritage through historical biopics. In a recent interview with Just the News, he discussed why these films are resonating so well, particularly in North America, and their role in shaping a positive cultural identity.

Ho started the conversation by acknowledging the contemporary wave of interest in cultural diversity that has swept across the United States, notably within the realm of Hollywood:

“America is set in an area like Hollywood where everyone is trying to go back to their cultural diversity, and it’s very important for people to go back to their roots, and that’s what made America great because it’s a country where culturalism is being celebrated.”

You may also like: ‘1521—the Movie,’ Olivia Rodrigo and Me

The producer’s vision for “1521” is specially tailored for Filipino Americans and individuals who may have become estranged from their cultural heritage due to their American upbringing. 

Ho postulated that a robust cultural identity empowers individuals to effect positive change within society. “The more secure you are in your identity as a culture, the more you will be in a great position to have a positive impact in society. If you are proud and feel good about your culture, you can contribute well to America.”

Ho continued by expounding upon the importance of rectifying historical inaccuracies. “The narrative is that we are savages, we are barbarians before the Spaniards came, nothing can be further than the truth. We are a highly civilized nation when Spain went to the Philippines, and we just want to correct the narrative that we are not hanging on the trees when Spain went to the Philippines, we are a highly advanced nation.”

You may also like: Hollywood actor Danny Trejo will play Magellan in film ‘1521’

Drawing attention to the significant contributions of Filipinos worldwide, Ho pointed out that we are “one of the underrecognized, under rewarded people, and yet we are the second largest in the United States. We just want the United States to know that we love this country, we want to contribute, we have contributed so much to the table. We just want our stories to be heard, to be seen, to be known.”

“1521: The Quest for Love and Freedom” and similar historical biopics stand as powerful means to celebrate and share the rich heritage of Filipino culture, fostering a sense of pride and identity among Filipino Americans and the broader society.