Since last year, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) has been at the forefront of “Sine Sandaan” celebration — the representation of our industry’s journey, from the pioneers and trailblazers to the game changers who have led us to where we are today.

Like any significant hundred-year story, it has been challenging but rewarding, and it has thrived into an industry with so much talent and potential. We are a nation truly proud of our cinematic history and heritage spanning over a hundred years. We recognize the achievements of our filmmakers, producers, and artists, but we believe that Philippine Cinema still has so much potential and so much to strive for to earn its place in the world’s stage.

The columnist with the late Marichu Vera-Perez Maceda

If we had our way, the One Hundred Years of Philippine Cinema closing would be celebrated with us next to each other, with greetings of warm hugs and smiles as we culminate a year’s worth of activities and programs.

That was always the plan, but it changed significantly, along with everything else in the wake of the pandemic. Despite the unprecedented challenges we face today, what remains the same are the people, the artists, and the groups that make a resilient industry.

Especially in these tough times, we believe there can be meaning and value in the challenges we face. What’s important is that we move forward, armed with the learnings, insights, and growth from our journey.

As such, we have named our commemoration this month as “Sine Sandaan: The Next 100.”

Lea Salonga

Martin Nievera

It is both in the spirit of empowering our local industry and taking those significant steps towards that future that we hope for — a future of elevation, inspiration, and collaboration. We already have the stories and narratives that are inherently ours, and it is time to share them out there.

This pandemic made us realize the world is our stage — a big stage full of doors that can be opened to discover that we can go beyond local films, markets, audience, and possibilities. This world is truly becoming more accessible every day.

Becoming global, however, does not mean that we forget who we are and what we have. Instead, it is about enriching them and opening ourselves to new possibilities, actively meeting new collaborators, and discovering film territories beyond our borders.

Our job at the FDCP is to pave that way for our industry members and give them the platforms to do so. This is what the year-long “Sine Sandaan” celebration, especially this September, has been all about.

Isay Alvarez

Gary Valenciano

From September 12, 2019 to September 11, 2020, the FDCP held numerous events and had various partnerships and programs to commemorate “Sine Sandaan” as mandated by Presidential Proclamation No. 622, series of 2018.

On September 11, we held the opening ceremony for “Sine Sandaan: The Next 100 – Celebrating the Closing of the Philippine Cinema Centennial” to launch our September events. The closing ceremony is slated on September 30, Wednesday.

After more than 12 months of marking milestones, recognizing achievements, and honoring the legacy of Philippine Cinema, the year-long commemoration of “Sine Sandaan” will formally come to a close in a celebration fit for its grandeur and legacy amid the Covid-19 situation.

“Sine Sandaan: The Next 100 Closing Ceremony” is a two-hour virtual event that the FDCP will host and stream on Wednesday, 8 p.m. It will feature Lani Misalucha, Gary Valenciano, The Company, Isay Alvarez and Robert Seña, Martin Nievera, and Lea Salonga with Acapellago.

This culminating event also serves as a venue for cooperation in the film industry as various stakeholders such as the Regional Filmmakers Network, Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc., and editors from the Filipino Film Editors created an impressive roster of commemorative audiovisual presentations for the online closing ceremony.

Lani Misalucha

Robert Seña

It is going to be a walk down memory lane as viewers get serenaded with movie theme songs. They will also be reminded of their love for Philippine Cinema as they watch videos that creatively showcase the industry’s cultural impact and historical significance. A special tribute video for producer and industry pillar, the late Marichu Vera-Perez Maceda, will also be shown.

As we officially close the Philippine Cinema Centennial Celebration, we look back to honor our heritage and learn from the pioneers so that we can look forward to the next hundred years with optimism, hope, and determination that our industry can reach greater heights, cross borders, and explore uncharted territories.

Ultimately, “Sine Sandaan: The Next 100 Closing Ceremony” encapsulates our aspirations for the future of Philippine Cinema and I hope that you can join us in the virtual celebration this Wednesday night. The online closing ceremony and concert will be streamed on the FDCP’s YouTube channel (youtube.com/FilmDevelopmentCouncilPH) and Facebook page (facebook.com/FDCP.ph).

I wish to reiterate what I said during the opening of “Sine Sandaan: Celebrating the Luminaries of Philippine Cinema” on September 12, 2019: Iisa lang po ang industriyang pinagsisilbihan natin. Kaya sana po, let us unite for this one industry that we all love. The next hundred years of Philippine Cinema is going to be about unity as well as understanding what we need to do together as an industry to further elevate our craft.

With the conclusion of “Sine Sandaan,” such a statement holds true now more than ever. As we move on to the next hundred years of Philippine Cinema, may we continue to hear each other out and work together for a more progressive industry in order to realize the ambition of elevating the level of Filipino filmmaking to make it globally competitive.

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.