‘I’m Ellenya L’ Hits Millennials and Social Media Influencer Wannabes Right in the Feels

You’re probably reading this right now because it’s either you’ve already watched how Ellenya Lakampati revealed your hunger for social media presence or perhaps you’re too curious why those who’ve already seen it find everything hilarious.

Well, it can be both and so much more!

Maris Racal (Ellenya L) and Inigo Pascual (Stephen) stirs humour as they remind every single millennials and all social media influencer hopefuls of the changes that the social media age has made in their entry to the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2019.

Here are a few reasons why this movie hit us right in the feels:

1. All for Instagram.

Don’t we do everything just for Instagram? Those OOTD’s (Outfit of the Day), the perfect background and angle – they’re all for the “gram”, right? In this day and age, we are mostly particular as to how our photos are taken regardless of the risk. It’s “tiis-ganda” and “buwis-buhay” to make sure that we only post the best, don’t we?

Ellenya has playfully done her part in making sure this message is conveyed. Remember that part when she had to ask her dad to stand on the roof to hold a regular phone camera attached to a stick just so her introductory video would look as though it was shot using a “drone”? All those sacrifices just for the “gram”!

At some point, the little things that we do from “angling,” perfect smile or display of emotions, the number of shots supposed to be taken and being so particular with the “lighting” are things we also do “for the gram.”

Why do we do this again? It’s to make sure that our photos/videos are wowed to, right? Ellenya Lakampati had her first hand of experience.

How to make perfect instagrammable photos?!!!

Well, WATCH NA NG I'm ELLENYA L. Showing naaaaaaa!!! ??

**credits: Facebook (#ImEllenyaL) Nice Print Photography & Exige Weddings pic.twitter.com/XOUB6ro39g

— Ernaaaaaah ???? (@ernzlynn) September 13, 2019

2. Oh the Likes and Follows!

What matters in the social media age is the number of likes and follows. You’re probably laughing right now as Ellenya tries to strongly consider herself as an influencer because she has this number of followers. Apart from it being the gauge for social approval, it has also become a major requirement for every social media influencer hopeful of qualifying as a product ambassador/endorser through VLOGS.

Well, it definitely takes “social media presence” before getting that approval. Do you think Ellenya was able to pull it off anyway? Isn’t it true that we’re particular with how many followers we have on each of our social media accounts? Isn’t it true that the number of likes matters to prove that we got the netizens’ approval?

3. Pretension is everywhere.

Because social media is all about photos and videos, pretension can go a long way. Remember when Ellenya had to work on that motorcycle shoot when there had to be people running around holding tree branches just so it would look like she is really driving? One can always pretend that it’s happening even if it’s not. Actually, even making a desk look neat is possible despite the mess. Pretension works like magic, don’t you think?

I’m sure you’re smiling right now or perhaps rolling your eyes in irritation because you either you have done this to prove that you matter on social media or you wanted to test how your followers would react to your “creativity.” Well, it could also be that you expect people to be in awe with how you made them believe it was real.

Stephen (Inigo Pascual), being Ellenya’s best friend turned love interest in this movie honestly shared his opinion about her not being “true to herself.” At some point, the misconception of some people who crave for social media attention is that anything that may look unique and creative will be inviting. But somehow, it is being genuine and sincere that makes most influencers pull the limelight right on them. Nevertheless, Ellenya did it so well, didn’t she?

4. “Insights”, anyone?

Another reason why this movie hit us right in the feels is that at some point, even if it’s embarrassing to admit, there’s something in all of us that wants to become a social media influencer either thru vlogs or blogs.

It’s funny when Ellenya sent an email to one of the said owners of a Siargao resort stating her intent to collaborate and got an instant response asking for her Insights. From how she answered the question, it’s quite obvious that she had no idea about Social Media Insights – which refers to your statistics actually.

These numbers will show how many followers you already have, the targeted area with the most number of viewers, which posts were mostly viewed and commented on and so much more.

What does this manifest? Well, you would all agree that those who wish to become an influencer don’t really bother knowing all these social media terms right away.

#PictureFrameNgPamilyaKo @MissMarisRacal pic.twitter.com/us3TuDIh6T

— I'M ELLENYA L. MOVIE NOW SHOWING! (@SenyoraMaris) September 10, 2019

5. The perception of Social Media Presence.

While the confidence and the conviction are somehow “requirements” to have that social media presence and finally get recognized as a social media influencer, Ellenya L never failed to poke fun as to how this side of us tries so hard to be on this limelight.

At most, social media presence is the attention that we get, and that’s more than the likes, follows and shares but how the target audience appreciates what you do. Somehow, Ellenya Lakampati is every single hopeful social media influencer who claims to have social media presence without understanding what it takes to have one.

#LuksaNgPamilyaKo @MissMarisRacal pic.twitter.com/GEZtfOsJ2t

— I'M ELLENYA L. MOVIE NOW SHOWING! (@SenyoraMaris) September 12, 2019

“I’m Ellenya L” Movie Review

Maris Racal has somehow achieved and definitely owned her character to completely define a “Millenial” and the “Gen-Z” the most hilarious way possible. While this movie was at first deemed to be just any love team romance, it has changed the viewers’ perception of simple films as such.

“I’m Ellenya L” is directed by Boy 2 Quizon as produced by Spring Films headed by actor Piolo Pascual, well-renowned director Joyce Bernal. It could have been Boy 2’s first movie but has by far proven that he has started to make a name in the field of film making apart from being a grandson of the late Comedy Legend – Dolphy.

Well, what can we say but kudos to the people behind the silhouette of “I Am Ellenya L” for making sure that Maris Racal, in her first movie, is more than a cutie-patotie singer-actress but one that has a character in a role that she plays. She’s more than just a face and a confident soul, isn’t she? Indeed another Wonder Pinay whose movie is one for the books!

How about you, do you think that you have a bit or more of Ellenya Lakampati lurking inside you? (*wink!)