The columnist with 6th Film Ambassadors’ Night Camera Obscura Excellence Awardee John Arcilla. The latter won the prestigious Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival last year. PHOTOS BY J.GERARD SEGUIA

I can still vividly remember the day late last year when I told my FDCP team that the Film Ambassadors' Night for 2022 will be back as an in-person event. The manifesting (and hard work) bore fruit and the dream has become a reality. More than a gathering of friends and a celebration of victories, this year's Film Ambassadors' Night (FAN) signals a new beginning for Philippine cinema — it is a symbol of hope. This is us as an industry telling the universe, "We are here and we are ready to begin again." After celebrating the 2021 FAN online, the FAN is back! And what can be a more fitting venue than the historic architectural treasure — the Manila Metropolitan Theater.

Beyond limits

Last Sunday's event is more than a celebration of the wins Filipino filmmakers and artists received from last 2021's international festival circuit. Most of all, we celebrate the Philippine Film industry's heart and courage. Despite the challenging year, Filipino film workers persevered against the odds and emerged victorious. This year's 77 honorees are exemplars of that heart and courage — that feat of going beyond limitations and pushing against barriers. Mahirap na nga gumawa ng pelikula. Mas mahirap pa ngayon dahil sa panahon ng pandemiya. We, as an industry, all have our stories of limitations and challenges — not just because of the global health issue and the financial and emotional stress that goes with dealing with its repercussions, but also from the other roadblocks that have plagued the film industry for many decades. We recognize this year's 77 honorees who all were able to produce quality films amid the pandemic restrictions, and bested hundreds of other excellent films in festivals from all over the world. Through the platform of international film festivals, the world has come to witness the artistic merit of Filipino films. These productions have become our face to the world, our artistic portfolio, if I may. For being able to show that Philippine cinema is truly world-class, this year's honorees have earned the distinction of being called a film ambassador.

Director Joel Lamangan accepting honor for his film, ‘In The Name Of The Mother.’

Actor Honoree Janine Gutierrez for ‘Dito at Doon’

The representatives of Gabay ng Industriya — Ilaw ng Industriya Awardee Rosa Rosal, Toni Rose Gayda and William Thio.

Actor Honoree Snooky Serna for ‘In The Name Of The Mother’

Feature Film Honoree, ‘Midnight in a Perfect World’s (from left) Glaiza de Castro, Betti Lapus, Dodo Dayao, Patti Lapus, Armi Cacanindin.

‹Renewing ties, celebrating wins

Aside from celebrating wins, FAN served a much bigger purpose — it has given us an opportunity to bring filmmakers together. Happiness is just so much better shared. Jumpstarting the year as a collective — dreaming bigger, aiming higher as our cinema continues to be showcased worldwide through their films, made the event so much more special and heart-warming.

Personally, holding FAN became my chance to connect and bring the Agency closer to our stakeholders, to express and affirm our commitment that we will and are doing everything that we can to support them. By treating them to a night of world-class performances done in their honor, we would like to make them feel how much we value their contributions. Imagine my joy in seeing everyone show up that night. We had a 90 percent attendance, and for a first event during the pandemic, that was truly a feat.

Night at the MET

The atmosphere at the MET was electric. After so much planning, preparations, and rehearsals, last Sunday's celebration was a living, moving art. I savored every moment as the dance, music, stage design, visual images, and lights take up the proscenium of the majestic MET stage. (Catch a glimpse of this at the event's telecast on March 12, 8 p.m., at the FDCP Channel via www.fdcpchannel.ph.) Having done the FAN at the MET also adds so much to the occasion — it is poetic. It was a mingling of the old and the new, a celebration of milestones from beyond our shores while being held steadfast by tradition — lofty yet grounded. We honored our filmmakers for their fresh ideas and trailblazing accomplishments, and feted our Gabay ng Industriya for their wisdom from their years of experience. Perhaps, that is really how it is supposed to be in our industry: an integral approach to things. We make our filmmakers soar outside, while we take care that their needs are met here. We explore new paths while remaining rooted in our Filipino culture, history, and realities. We look back to learn from our past, yet we remain hopeful for our future. We are grounded in reality, yet we don't forget to dream.

Lofty dreams, grounded in the present

There is still a lot to be done. For example, although we are getting recognition for our films, we are challenged to refine our capacities for the technical aspects of production especially as we venture into the open waters of international cinema. Currently, we have a lot of ground to cover to be at par with international standards in sound quality, special effects, computer-generated imagery (CGI), and many other technical aspects. FDCP is focused on addressing the need for talent and project development as well. Excellent output can only come from excellent raw materials; the Agency has been keen on enabling and equipping new filmmakers and creatives with the foundations of creating quality stories and films through training and funding. The goal is to produce distinctly Filipino creative content with a universal appeal. Aside from the creative side of cinema, we also have to focus on the business side of it, after all, it's an enterprise with workers relying on it as a source of livelihood. The challenge is to create structures that will allow us to become more sustainable. This is where collaboration through co-production comes in. International co-productions give way to an exchange of ideas and best practices — and to the elevating of production quality in the long term. We must learn how to navigate around, and go beyond these challenges for us to be able to achieve a thriving film industry with a strong international presence in the world market. Realizing this lofty dream may be wrought with challenges, but I believe in the indomitable Filipino spirit. We know well how to go beyond limits.

Congratulations to this year's honorees. Thank you for bringing honor to our country. Thank you for finding opportunities out of setbacks and challenges and inspiring us to do the same. Thank you for making excellent films that make us think, feel, and remember. Beyond accolades, I believe this is the better part — your films are now part of our nation's cinematic culture and consciousness. Cheers to more victories on the global stage. May all of these become pieces of the international presence we all are building together in the world cinema. To all the Filipino film workers who continue to believe and persevere, thank you for your hard work, you are the true heroes of our industry. Mabuhay po tayong lahat. Mabuhay po ang Pelikulang Pilipino!

Notes from the Chair
The Sunday Times Magazine  - The Manila Times

Notes from the Chair is part of the Arts Awake section of The Sunday Times Magazine published by The Manila Times. Click HERE to view the article on The Manila Times website.