Demonstrating his ongoing support for Philippine arts and cinema, Senator Bam Aquino hosted an exclusive block screening of the adaptation film Pee Mak on Friday at a mall in Mandaluyong City, cheering on lead actress and long-time supporter Bea Binene.
The screening doubled as an early celebration for Binene, whom Sen. Aquino and the audience surprised with a birthday song ahead of her special day on November 4.
Binene, who plays the titular role of Pee Nang—a wife who dies during childbirth while her soldier husband Mak (played by Wilbert Ross) is away at war—expressed her gratitude to the senator for hosting the event.
“I want to thank Sen. Bam and the Office of Senator Bam Aquino for making this block screening possible,” Binene shared, noting that the adaptation remains a work Filipinos can take pride in. “It’s an adaptation, but I’m sure it’s an adaptation that will still make you feel your pagka-Filipino.”
A Tradition of Volunteerism and Support
Sen. Aquino highlighted Binene’s longtime dedication as his office’s lead volunteer artist, supporting his initiatives from his first Senate term through the 2025 campaign.
“We’re here to support her and, of course, to support Philippine cinema,” Sen. Aquino stated. “Pee Mak is already a box-office hit, but we want to make it an even bigger hit.”
This initiative follows a previous block screening hosted by Sen. Aquino for 2 Valid IDs, starring comedienne Pokwang, another advocate for the senator’s policy work.
Empowering the Filipino Creative Industry
As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship, Sen. Aquino continues to champion institutional support for local artists:
- Senate Bill No. 2517 (PACE Act): Co-developed with P-Pop group SB19 and 1Z Entertainment, this bill proposes establishing the Philippine Agency for the Creative Economy (PACE) to assist Filipino creatives with visa mobility, international festival participation, distribution, and access to global markets.
- Senate Resolutions for Global Achievers: Sen. Aquino has introduced resolutions honoring international milestones by Filipino talents, including SB19 (first homegrown act at Lollapalooza), BINI (first all-Filipino group at Coachella), and dance crews Femme MNL, HQ, The Crew, Folk Jumpers, and Sayawatha Jr. for their victories at the 2026 World Hip Hop Dance Championship.