Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

Actress. Fashion Model. Wife. Mom. Cancer Survivor. Indie film producer. Carnaval Queen. Friend.

The name Bessie Badilla evokes a string of emotions and adjectives, particularly to the people who know her well. Through the years, she has amassed a wealth of friends she holds near and dear her heart. To those who haven’t met her, Bessie can be described as the queen of reinvention.

Bessie’s charmed life has gone through its ups and downs but that didn’t stop this feisty lady to remain positive and upbeat. From a hot career as a haute couture model in Paris to health and domestic problems, she has deftly maneuvered her way around.

At her recent 52nd birthday bash (and yes, she doesn’t deny her age), Queen Bessie unveiled and screened her latest project—Dance of My Life, a documentary on her life.

"It’s all about me," Bessie says with a loud, infectious laugh.

The film is centered on how one Filipina penetrated the all-Brazilian festival and became the first-ever Filipina Carnaval Queen.

"To be a destaque (star), one has to be very strong physically, so I had to be strong. I learned Portuguese, I lost a few pounds and I learned a lot of the dances," she shares.

Beyond the carnaval though, writer-director Lyca Benitez-Brown ventured into the multi-layered and colorful life of Bessie Badilla and created an engaging masterpiece that is sure to touch the viewers’ hearts.

"I’m just so happy with the outcome. Lyca did such a great job. I’m major, major happy," she says in between giggles.

The always-happy Bessie claims she is shy—though none of her friends would agree—so when they began to talk about coming up with a documentary, she was a bit apprehensive. Her friends Jorge Ortoll and Ralph Pena told her to come up with a documentary when she was chosen to be carnival queen. She acquiesced.

Let’s just say that Bessie Badilla bared her heart and soul in this film, and her friends, while surprised, were pleasantly moved.

"The documentary is very compelling. I thought I knew Bessie already but watching this made me know her even more," describes businessman Edwin Josue.

Lyca and her team made a concerted effort to show Bessie’s roots and the path she had to go through to attain her dreams. From Tondo, Manila to Paris, France and from Stamford, Connecticut to Sao Paulo, Brazil, Bessie Badilla indeed, conquered them all.

"She made Filipinos very proud. For a non-Brazilian to be a carnaval queen, that’s amazing. It’s a milestone and a grand achievement," says event designer Jerry Sibal.

Ruben Nepales, Hollywood Foreign Press Association board member and a friend of Bessie’s describes her as a "caring, generous and absolutely down-to-earth human being."

"She’s a riot! Sometimes I wonder where she gets these streetwise, quick, spontaneous, bull’s eye puns. You certainly wouldn’t expect those off-the-cuff, hilarious remarks from such a glamorous, sophisticated-looking woman," Ruben says.

Ruben’s wife Janet couldn’t agree more.

"Tunay siyang tao. No thread of hypocrisy in Tita Bessie," she remarks, "She goes out of her way to help the oppressed and the needy. Her Gawad Kalinga houses that she built and the scholarships that she gave to the Bakal Boys are truly commendable."