A Stylish Transformation: The Role of Filipino Design in Guilty Pleasure
By Shaira Joy Nacino and Santi Buenviaje
January 21, 2025
Alexis Miranda (Lovi Poe), a bright-eyed, ambitious lawyer, navigates the corridors of her new workplace, Atticus, her arms stacked with files and books. Dressed in modest, everyday office attire, she blends into the hum of corporate life—until criticism from her superior about her uninspired wardrobe sets the stage for transformation. Given a clothing budget to elevate her style, Alexis seizes the opportunity to redefine herself, and the results are nothing short of remarkable.
As she strides into the office after her makeover, she has become a vision of confidence and charisma. Draped in the vibrant Piña Bolga Top by LOKAL Home + Art + Fashion, her bold new style mirrors her fiery spirit–fierce, dynamic, and unapologetically expressive. The colorful patterns and striking design command attention, making her presence impossible to ignore.
This transformation isn’t just skin deep. As Alexis rises through the ranks at Atticus, her newfound poise becomes her hallmark. Eventually, as the head of her own firm, Miranda and Associates, she commands the courtroom with the same fearless energy she first revealed in that daring top. Every step of her journey is a testament to her tenacity, intelligence, and the power of embracing her authentic self—inside and out.
This is the power of Filipino fashion—bursting with personality and ready to steal the spotlight. The 2024 film Guilty Pleasure showcases this beautifully, highlighting the brilliance of Filipino design in mainstream media.
Directed by Connie Macatuno and produced by Regal Films and C’est Lovi Productions, Guilty Pleasure is a gripping legal drama that explores the complexities of ambition, love, and betrayal centering around the characters of Alexis Miranda, Adam Lucero (JM De Guzman), and Matthew Caliente (Jameson Blake).
Role of Creative Industry in Elevating Filipino Craftsmanship
Macatuno highlights the vital role of the creative industry in supporting Filipino craftsmanship and culture. By consistently integrating Filipino elements like native food, music, and designs into mainstream media, the industry can help elevate these traditions on a global stage. She emphasizes the need for sustained exposure and collaboration to keep Filipino craftsmanship visible and appreciated.
The impact of such initiatives is that they provide audiences with relatable, visualized representations of Filipino heritage, and they encourage creators to integrate these elements into their work. Macatuno believes that showing how Filipino craftsmanship can be used and incorporated into projects allows audiences to connect more deeply with their cultural roots. "It really allows both the audience and creators to say, “Oh, I can relate to that now, seeing how it’s been used and visualized."
Responsible Storytelling: Honoring Culture and Community
For Macatuno, creating films that showcase Filipino culture goes beyond aesthetics—it's a responsibility. She believes that every creative project must honor the communities and places it features, emphasizing the importance of respect and diligence throughout the process.
“When you’re filming, especially with a large crew of 50 to 100 people, there’s planning, research, and coordination involved,” she explains. “You don’t want to leave behind any mess—literally or figuratively.
Avoiding cultural appropriation, she notes, is also crucial. This means going beyond merely using cultural symbols or settings as props, and instead integrating them meaningfully and responsibly into the story. “You have to approach it with due diligence,” she says. “Respect the living and non-living, whether it’s a cultural artifact or a location. Everything has value because it was created with effort, and it serves to illuminate your storytelling.”
This attention to detail is about more than professionalism—it’s about preserving the trust of the communities involved. By fostering this respect, she ensures that her projects not only tell meaningful stories but also build lasting connections with the people and places that inspire them.
Keeping Filipino Culture Alive: Macatuno's Advocacy for Local Films and Craftsmanship
Supporting local artisans is a cornerstone of Macatuno’s work as she incorporates Filipino designs and ensures that their craftsmanship takes center stage. In all her projects, she reimagines traditional pieces, styling them for contemporary narratives. Designers are often amazed at how their products, typically seen in glossy magazines or formal events, are transformed into wearable modern ensembles in media formats.
For Macatuno, every piece of clothing is a narrative, weaving together identity, culture, and the vibrant heritage of Filipino artistry. She envisions Filipino fashion as a seamless part of daily life, not merely reserved for special occasions. This perspective resonates with her acclaimed works in Glorious (2018) and The Broken Marriage Vow (2022), where she showcased Filipino artisan products and fashion on television and in mainstream films. Macatuno aspires for this deep appreciation to extend beyond stakeholders, buyers, and cultural communities, reaching the hearts of all who encounter the artistry and creativity behind these designs.
Even after Guilty Pleasure finished its theatrical run, she continues to encourage people to host block screenings to bring the movie to communities that might not have had access to it in theaters, emphasizing the importance of these shared experiences that foster deeper connections to Filipino culture and crafts.
While her upcoming projects remain under wraps, she is committed to creating more stories that celebrate the strength of women and the beauty of Filipino designs. "I want to make more stories about women, showcasing Filipino wear and weaves," she shares. "It’s about keeping them visible and encouraging people to connect with and support them."
Much like Alexis Miranda, the film's protagonist, audiences will come to appreciate the significance of supporting local brands. They’ll witness the ripple effect it creates—challenging the status quo and inspiring meaningful change, allowing more individual to feel empowered to weave a touch of local artistry into their everyday wardrobe, making a statement that goes beyond fashion.
