It's that time of the year for the State of the Nation Address (SONA). As President Rodrigo Duterte highlights this administration's accomplishments in tomorrow's SONA, it felt like an opportune time for a government agency like the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) to align its milestones with the government's agenda to promote the growth of creative industries.

Since July 2020, the FDCP, which is under the Office of the President, has been working diligently despite the limitations due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This week's rundown features our efforts to nurture the local industry.

1. September is Philippine Film Industry Month. Beginning this year, the Philippine Film Industry Month will be celebrated every September as declared by President Duterte through Proclamation No. 1085.

September is special because September 12, 1919 was the release of Jose Nepomuceno's "Dalagang Bukid," the first Filipino-produced and -directed feature film. FDCP is the lead agency in observing the annual celebration to showcase the achievements and contributions of film stakeholders.

2. FDCP National Registry (NR) Program: Supporting film workers amid the pandemic. NR now has a database of over 5,000 Filipino audiovisual workers, companies, events and festivals, organizations and associations, and entertainment press members. Registration in the Program allows for stakeholders to avail of the Agency's assistance programs for individuals and organizations.

In the interest of welfare, through the NR Program, FDCP lobbied and partnered the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) for the grant of Bayanihan 2 financial assistance to its registrants. At present, NR is in partnership with Quezon City and City of Manila for the vaccination of all its registrants.

3. Bakuna Nights Program of FDCP with QC and #GoodJAB Campaign. FDCP and Quezon City's #QCProtekTODO program have been holding "Bakuna Nights para sa Film at Entertainment Workers" for 1,500 NR registrants, thanks to QC Mayor Joy Belmonte who was the first to extend a helping hand to our workers.

To encourage others to get vaccinated, FDCP launched the #GoodJAB campaign wherein vaccinated stakeholders post their bakuna photos on social media. In the coming days, we are set to conduct our next vaccination program, this time with the City of Manila for 3,500 film and AV workers under NR.

4. 'Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) 4: #SamaAll' towards inclusivity and solidarity. With 170 films and a 44-day duration of screenings, film talks, and events, the 4th PPP was a grand undertaking held online at the FDCP Channel. We tried to showcase as many local films as possible, 90 full-length films and 80 shorts, to support our filmmakers amid the pandemic. The first online PPP provided a one-of-a-kind experience encapsulated by its #SamaAll tagline.

5. FDCP Channel: The first PH government-managed streaming platform. From being the home of PPP4, the FDCP Channel now hosts other film festivals like FDCP's PelikuLAYA, CineKabalen, and Far Eastern University's Sinepiyu. Through VOD or scheduled screenings, the exclusive FDCP-managed platform offers quality local and international content - short and full-length films, including classics, documentaries, and modern masterpieces - for free or with affordable subscription rates.

6. PH film fund program CreatePHFilms finally launched. CreatePHFilms, a funding program for the development, production, post-production, and distribution of Filipino films, allocated P12.1 million for 22 grantees in its first cycle. Scriptwriting fund grantees had their first consultation session, a partnership between FDCP and Tatino Films, with world-class international consultants led by Matthieu Daras.

7. Film policies and laws to support the local film industry. FDCP has been involved in Congress committee meetings and hearings for bills that would benefit film and AV workers. In November, the House of Representatives unanimously approved on third and final reading the Eddie Garcia Bill that sets occupational safety and health (OSH) standards to protect the rights of film, television, and radio entertainment workers.

House Committee approvals were given for the Freelancers Protection Bill and Film Philippines Bill, and for the creation of a Technical Working Group for the establishment of the National Film Archive of the Philippines. Last year, the Bayanihan 2 Law included film and AV workers in the fiscal stimulus package, and this year, President Duterte signed the Instrument of Accession to the Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances that seeks to protect the intellectual property rights of Filipino AV performers.

8. Philippine Film Archive (PFA) film restoration program. PFA continues with its acquisition and restoration works with priority given to works by National Artists. Of the PFA Collection's 30,000 elements, 47 are films by National Artists. PFA is restoring Gerardo de Leon's "The Moises Padilla Story" to add to these restored classics: Lamberto Avellana's "A Portrait of the Artist as a Filipino;" Manuel Conde's "Genghis Khan;" Ishmael Bernal's "Pagdating sa Dulo" and "Manila by Night;" and Lino Brocka's "Insiang," "Maynila sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag," and "White Slavery." In-house restoration was done for Brocka's "Rubia Servios." Other ongoing restoration projects are Sampaguita Pictures' "Maalaala Mo Kaya?" by Mar Torres and "Atsay" by Eddie Garcia. PFA recently acquired Avellana's more than 100 AV materials and memorabilia through his granddaughter, Ina Cosio.

9. Safe Filming Program: Creating a culture of safety in the industry. The Safe Filming Program continues to promote government-prescribed health and safety protocols by assisting companies that registered their productions in securing government permits for activities amid the pandemic. It holds free webinars such as the Safety and Health Orientation Webinar (Show) and Safe Filming Lab and provides eligible companies free Safe Filming Kits with face shields, masks, gloves, alcohol, thermal scanner, and disinfectants.

10. DOLE and FDCP's Safety and Health Officers Training Seminar (Shots). In partnership with DOLE's Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC), Safe Filming has been offering the free online Shots on basic OSH standards in the AV industry. The first two batches of the industry-specific seminar had 85 graduates who received the Safety Officer 2 (SO2) Certification from DOLE-OSHC. The 3rd Shots will be held from July 26 to 30.

11. 'PelikuLAYA,' 'Cine Filipina' and '#UnsungSarilingBayani:' Promot-ing diversity through new film fests. We launched online film festivals to spotlight disregarded stories in society by holding screenings, talks, workshops, and events. PelikuLAYA: LGBTQIA+ Film Festival aimed to empower LGBTQIA+ community members during Pride Month (June) while Cine Filipi-na: Juana sa Gitna ng Pagbabago championed women empowerment during National Women's Month (March). We are also conducting Kidlat Tahimik's widely-supported Unsung Sariling Bayani (USB), in partnership with the National Quincentennial Committee, which has a short film competition to highlight lesser-known local heroes in a world dominated by foreign superheroes.

12. 'SoVo Lab,' 'Sine Kabataan' and '#FutureSilentFilmmakers in Mit Out Sound:' Developing talents and stories in local film labs. FDCP has awarded development funds and organized training sessions for Filipinos through local labs. The Southern Voices Film Lab (SoVo Lab) discovers indigenous stories and empowers the voices of Mindanaoan filmmakers. SoVo Lab finalists have gained international attention, including Zurich Chan's "Cangrejos" at the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum and Xeph Suarez's "Dancing the Tides" at Cannes film lab La Fabrique.

The 4th Sine Kabataan Short Film Competition enjoins the youth to tackle relevant issues and develop their creativity through the Sine Kabataan Film Lab. Mit Out Sound, the Philippines' first silent film lab, encourages the production of silent films and promotes the once popular silent film form.

The other eight achievements in the past year will be featured next week, with focus on how FDCP championed Philippine Cinema on the global stage.

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.