Senator Bam Aquino expressed his support for actress Bea Binene and her latest movie, “Pee Mak,” by hosting a block screening on Friday at a mall in Mandaluyong City.
Sen. Bam attended the screening with Bea, who portrays the titular character, Pee Nang, a wife who dies during childbirth while her soldier husband, Mak (played by Wilbert Ross), is away at war.
Before the screening, Sen. Bam and the audience surprised Bea with a birthday song ahead of her birthday on November 4.
“Gusto ko munang pasalamatan si Sen. Bam and the Office of Senator Bam Aquino for making this block screening possible. Alam n’yo po, palagi kong kinukulit si Sen. Bam. Noong premiere night pa lang, ini-invite ko na siya. Kaya lang, ang tagal matapos ng impeachment,” Bea said.
(I would first like to thank Sen. Bam and the Office of Senator Bam Aquino for making this block screening possible. You know, I always keep inviting Sen. Bam. I had already invited him since the premiere night. Unfortunately, the impeachment proceedings took so long to finish.)
“It’s an adaptation, pero I’m sure it’s an adaptation that will still make you feel your pagka-Filipino. (It’s an adaptation, but I’m sure it’s an adaptation that will still make you feel your Filipino identity.) It’s something that we, as Filipinos, can be proud of,” she added.
The actress is an avid supporter of Sen. Bam, having joined him when he filed his certificate of candidacy for the 2025 senatorial race before the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).
“Alam n’yo naman, guys, si Bea is our number one volunteer. Actually, mula pa noong first term ko, hanggang sa panahong wala ako sa politics, at hanggang sa 2025 campaign, kung saan marami rin sa inyo ang tumulong, Bea has always been there for us. Until today, si Miss Bea Binene po ay tumutulong pa rin sa ating opisina. Sa lahat ng volunteer artists natin, I think si Bea na ang may pinakamaraming na-volunteer sa ating opisina,” Sen. Bam said.
(You know, guys, Bea is our number one volunteer. Actually, from my first term, through the time when I was no longer in politics, and up to the 2025 campaign, where many of you also helped, Bea has always been there for us. Until today, Miss Bea Binene continues to help our office. Among all our volunteer artists, I think Bea has volunteered the most at our office.)
“We’re here to support her and, of course, to support Philippine cinema.
“Alam n’yo po, ang ‘Pee Mak’ ay box-office hit na, pero nais nating maging mas malaking hit pa ito. ‘Di ba? Binubulong sa akin ni Bea na may mga goals sila for the film, and we’re hoping na maabot natin iyon (You know, ‘Pee Mak’ is already a box-office hit, but we want it to become an even bigger hit. Right? Bea has been telling me about their goals for the film, and we’re hoping we can achieve them),” he added, expressing hope that the screening and social media efforts would help sustain the film’s success and further boost its performance.
As part of his continuing efforts to support the local film industry, Sen. Bam also recently hosted a block screening of the movie “2 Valid IDs,” starring comedienne Pokwang, who has also been supportive of Sen. Bam and his policies.
In the movie, Pokwang plays Sylvia, a farmer who must obtain two valid IDs to claim a money remittance to help pay for her hospitalized husband’s treatment. The movie is directed by Ma-an L. Asuncion-Dagñalan and produced by Geo Lomuntad.
As a strong advocate for Filipino talent, Sen. Bam, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship, is pushing for the establishment of a Philippine Agency for the Creative Economy (PACE) to provide stronger government support for Filipino artists and creative workers and help them access opportunities in international markets.
He recently filed Senate Bill No. 2517, or the Philippine Agency for the Creative Economy (PACE) Act, which he developed in collaboration with the “Kings of P-Pop,” SB19, and 1Z Entertainment, the group’s talent management company.
The PACE Act aims to help Filipino creatives go global by addressing barriers to international travel, participation, and professional opportunities. It also seeks to provide mobility support for visas, travel, logistics, and participation in international festivals, tours, showcases, markets, and other creative engagements.
The measure also aims to help Filipino creatives access global markets through international promotion, business matching, partnerships, distribution, and expanded market access for Philippine creative goods and services. It further seeks to strengthen government support through the establishment of PACE and the bolstering of the Creative Industries Development Fund.
Sen. Bam has also recognized the achievements of Filipino talents through resolutions, highlighting their contributions to the country’s creative industries and their success on the international stage.
He recently filed Senate Resolution No. 545 commending SB19 for becoming the first homegrown Filipino act to perform at Lollapalooza in Chicago, and Senate Resolution No. 370 honoring the Nation’s Girl Group, BINI, for making history as the first all-Filipino group to perform at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California.
He likewise submitted Senate Resolution No. 591, congratulating and commending Femme MNL, HQ, The Crew, Folk Jumpers, and Sayawatha Jr. for their outstanding performances at the 2026 World Hip Hop Dance Championship held from July 25 to August 1 in Phoenix, Arizona. [PR]
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