#BinibiniBiyernes: Aijalonica Lei

For today’s Binibini Biyernes we introduce you to Aijalonica Lei! A 21 year old cis-bisexual woman. She acts, does photography and makes music! but she’s ultimately an aspiring filmmaker. These are some of the stills in the music video of The Power by Duke Dumont and Zak Abel, where Aija acted in!

Tell us a ‘lil bit about yourself! Your age, gender, and your work!

Hi! Aija here I'm a 21 year old cis-bisexual woman. I act, photograph and make music but I'm ultimately an aspiring filmmaker.

How can you empower our Filipino women through the work and advocacy you have?

In an industry that's saturated with work that favors western influences, I'd like to show that we can create something true to the narrative of where we're from and that it's just as visually captivating. My most frequent collaborator in film, Paco Raterta, share the same ideals when it comes to shooting locally.

October is the month of halloween, known for a time where people put on spectacular costumes and makeup. What role does make up serve during halloween and for all other occasions?

With all the political turmoil thats been happening all around the world, I'd like to use as much of my platform to provide learning resources through boosting human rights organizations, much of which I find the most impactful is through film documentaries. Encouraging participation in these urgent discussions is a responsibility that I feel strongly about. 

Any quote from a film or artist that you would like to share in celebration of spooktober?

I don't necessarily have a favorite quote from a horror movie since I tend to remember more of the visuals so I'll share one of my favorite Filipino horror films to watch instead — Lumaban Ka Satanas (1983) by Efren C. Piñon. It's not actually scary, as much as it is kitschy, which is what I love so much about it.

Interview by Gaby Catahan