GIGIL rallies comedians to stand up for the issue of mental health.
In the Philippines, mental health is an ongoing issue. For us, crying is a sign of weakness. Instead of expressing our emotions, we bottle them up and pretend that we’re okay. But in this time of pandemic, we need to remind Filipinos that it’s okay to express their feelings, it’s okay to not be okay, and it’s okay to cry.
To celebrate World Mental Health Day 2020, Padayon PH wanted to remind Filipinos that sometimes laughter is not always the best medicine…crying is. In partnership with the ad agency GIGIL, Padayon PH, a local mental health resource hub headed by Dr Gia Sison, rallied local stand-up comedians to stand up for this issue.
The campaign was launched in October 2020 via Facebook Live. At first, the event looked like a regular stand-up comedy show of Victor Anastacio and James Caraan hosted by Dr Gia Sison and Ramon Bautista.
The stand-up comedy performances turned into something unexpected when the video was launched showing comedians crying. The film features Ramon Bautista, Victor Anastacio, James Canaan, Macoy Dubs, Albert Nicolas, Pepe Herera, Jerald Napoles, Kim Molina, Juliana, Red Ollero, Aldo Cuervo, Winer Aguilar, Ramon Cabochan, Adren Bernardo, Rex Millora, Muman Reyes, Alexio Tabafunda, Ned-Ned Villaruel, Jim Morales, and Blair Madamba.
In the viral film, they show their real emotions for the first time, crying out to Filipinos that it’s okay to cry. Their call: Let’s stand for mental health, and fight the stigma that issues from it.
After the video, Dr. Gia Sison shared to the viewers the importance of expressing one’s emotions especially in times like these. Dr Gia Sison also launched the website itsokaytocry.ph to ensure that the reminder will live beyond World Mental Health Day.
Visit itsokaytocry.ph to see a directory of institutions and doctors. You can also visit padayon.ph to know more about their programs on mental health.