22/07/2026
On 20 July, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium in Manila, in partnership with Alliance Française de Cebu, proudly presented the Franco-Belgian evening "Voices of Tomorrow: Young Mothers, Strong Futures" a special event celebrating the values of Francophonie through cinema, dialogue, and social engagement.
The evening opened with the French short film Allez ma fille, directed by Chloé Jouannet. With sensitivity and authenticity, the film explores the evolving relationship between a father and his teenage daughter, offering a moving reflection on trust, communication, and the challenges of adolescence.
The audience was then invited to discover the Belgian feature film Young Mothers (Jeunes Mères), directed by the acclaimed Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, two-time Palme d'Or winners at the Cannes Film Festival. Faithful to the brothers' distinctive social realism, the film offers an uncompromising yet deeply human portrayal of young women facing pregnancy, motherhood, difficult family relationships, traumatic pasts, and the often painful transition into adulthood.
Following the screenings, guests took part in an engaging panel discussion moderated by Ms. Thom Tran, Representative of IECD-Institut Européen de Coopération et de Développement. The distinguished panel featured Gladys Gil A. Porminal, psychologist and maternal wellness advocate from Glory Reborn Organization; Mrs. Tricia Coleen Sandalo, Glory Reborn Ambassador; and Jessica Donaire from Les Enfants du Mékong.
Drawing inspiration from the films, the discussion highlighted the importance of providing comprehensive support to women throughout pregnancy and motherhood. The panelists shared their professional expertise and personal experiences while engaging with the audience in a thoughtful exchange on maternal care, resilience, family support, and the challenges faced by vulnerable mothers.
The event was honoured by the presence of H.E. Vladislava Iordanova, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to the Philippines, who delivered the closing remarks, highlighting the power of cinema as a catalyst for dialogue, awareness, and meaningful social reflection. Including the Mrs. Enrison Benedicto, Honorary Consul of Belgium in Cebu and Ms. Santamaria Abela, Trade Attaché.
