There’s a Filipino American Barbie in the upcoming film, and fellow Filipinos are ecstatic: ‘Now THIS is representation’
Ahead of the release of Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” on July 21, a Filipina TikTok creator is spotlighting the Filipino representation in the film.
On July 15, Krystl Fabella (@filipinaontherise) shared a video about Filipino American actress Ana Cruz Kayne, who portrays Supreme Court Justice Barbie in the forthcoming movie.
“Who is Ana Cruz Kayne, the Filipino American in the upcoming ‘Barbie’ who sported a Filipiniana in the movie and [at] the premiere?” Fabella says of the New Haven, Conn.-born actress.
A Filipiniana, also known as the Maria Clara gown or terno, is a traditional outfit worn by women in the Philippines that consists of a camisa, which is a blouse with oversize “butterfly sleeves,” a saya, which is a long skirt, and a pañuelo, which is a delicately embroidered neck shawl.
“This is so great because it seems like all eyes are on the ‘Barbie’ movie, and she used it as an opportunity to pay tribute to [her] Filipino heritage,” Fabella says.
In both the film and at the premiere, Kayne wore creations by Filipino designer Dennis Lustico. Per Lustico, the 39-year-old actress “requested to wear something Filipino.”
While chatting with JoySauce, Kayne recalls a conversation she had with “Barbie” costume designer Jacqueline Durran about what she wanted to wear for a certain scene. She chose to wear a Filipiniana to represent her mother.
“And I just remember crying when I tried it on because, if you want to be seen, you kind of have to speak up and tell them what that looks like because people don’t know, necessarily,” she said. “I don’t feel like the Philippines in general is very well represented.”
Fabella goes on to express her pride in learning that Kayne, who is of Filipino and Jewish descent, was selected for “a role that represents power and justice.”
“She’s pretty vocal and proud about her Filipino heritage and posts regularly about her Filipino family and roots,” Fabella continues, referring to Kayne’s Instagram, on which she’s made a post in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and shared a photo in 2020 that reads “Filipinos 4 Black Power” in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
The year 2021 marked another milestone for Filipino Americans, when Fil-Am physician Dr. Audrey Sue Cruz, who is based in Las Vegas, was one of six medical frontline workers from around the world selected by Mattel to have a doll created of themselves in honor of the “unprecedented courage” they exhibited amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
“This doll is a reminder that it doesn’t matter what your skin color is or what background you come from,” Cruz wrote in an Instagram post. “You matter. You can speak your mind. You can follow your dreams. You can make a difference. Cheers to diversity. And cheers to frontline workers all over the country who have fought and continue to fight this pandemic.”
Dr. Nanika Coor, a clinical psychologist, parenting therapist and consultant at Brooklyn Parent Therapy, argues that there’s a correlation between exposing children to toys that reflect ethnic and racial diversity and an increase in their emotional awareness.
“When you expose kids to other cultures and help them see the world through someone else’s perspective, it helps them develop empathy,” Coor told Maisonette. “All kids should have the opportunity to see lots of kinds of diversity: ethnic, cultural, sexual orientation, body type, religious beliefs. … There are so many types of people in the world, and it really behooves us to let our kids know how cool it is that we’re all different. It helps them become more empathetic global citizens.”
‘Omg they allowed her to wear a filipiniana dress omg!!!’
Many TikTok users, including ones that identify as Filipino, have taken to Fabella’s comment section to share their excitement over Kayne’s inclusion in the film too.
“Now THIS is representation,” @makaeyma wrote.
“Omg they allowed her to wear a filipiniana dress omg!!! This is majorrrr,” @geovanfield replied.
“I have a filipiniana barbie in a traditional Filipino gown. That I got when I went to the Philippines in the 90’s. Its now a family heirloom,” @adina58587 commented.
In The Know by Yahoo is now available on Apple News — follow us here!
The post There’s a Filipino American Barbie in the upcoming film, and fellow Filipinos are ecstatic: ‘Now THIS is representation’ appeared first on In The Know.
More from In The Know:
