Award-winning actress Dolly de Leon expressed how the recent run of Filipino tennis superstar Alex Eala at Wimbledon made her realize the importance of international recognition for her fellow countrymen. In an interview with King of Talk Boy Abunda on Fast Talk, the Golden Globe nominee shared how nice it would be if a Filipino were in the running to win an acting category at the Oscars.
Dolly serves as one of the members of the actors’ branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) where she is eligible to cast her vote for the possible winners of the award-giving body.
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“That would be such an honor… Dati, hindi importante sa akin noong nangyayari yan pero ngayon nakikita ko yung importance kasi,” she shared.
The Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed actress added how Alex helped her see the importance of these international accolades. Alex made a deep run in Wimbledon–– defeating defending champion Iga Swiatek in the third round. She eventually bowed out of the competition in the fourth round to Italian Jasmine Paolini.
“Lalo na yung nangyari kay Alex Eala, yung pride na experience ng buong country noong nanalo siya a few times sa Wimbledon… Parang kailangan natin ng ganung enthusiasm at ganung motivation para mas galingan pa natin,” she expressed.
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Dolly recalled receiving the email that allowed her to become a member of AMPAS.
“Siyempre, it’s really an honor kasi parang bukod sa importante para sa akin marinig yung boses natin bilang artists, importante din marinig yung boses natin bilang Pilipino. Minority tayo–– I have always said this many times–– minority tayo within a minority group,” she said.
She is hopeful that this would be a step towards more Filipinos having a seat at the AMPAS as she asserted the importance of having more representation.
“Ngayon, masasabi kong hindi na, hopefully, and in the long run hindi kasi may right tayong bumoto at may right tayong mag salita kung sino sa tingin natin karapat dapat na manominate. Kaya diligent ako pag dating diyan,” she ended.