Motherhood is a lifelong commitment and I am honored and grateful to fulfill this each and every day to my daughter, Amara. She is my life’s greatest blessing and the ultimate reason why I strive to be a better person and try to be the best mother ever.

Finding that balance to juggle family time and work duties, however, has been challenging not just for me but to most, if not all, mothers as well. We are committed to our families just as much as we are dedicated to our jobs. Yet, we have no choice but to divide our time between work and family.

I am so lucky that my 13-year-old daughter never had qualms and complaints about my work schedule consisting of extended hours along with weekend and holiday work. She has always been so supportive of my dreams for the film industry, even accompanying me to events just so we could still be together.

Being a mom and a public servant is such an overwhelming challenge but I am up for it, especially in an industry where having women figures is not just tolerated, but embraced. It is notable that in our film industry’s more than 100-year history, mothers are celebrated and women figures are revered.

This is the essence of the Mother’s Day tributes given by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) — to express our utmost gratitude for being nurtured and loved by them, and prove that women can be leaders and instrumental figures who guide, inspire and elevate our industry.

We created Mother’s Day events to celebrate our beloved matriarchs such as Mother Lily Monteverde, Gloria Romero, and the late Manay Ichu Maceda and Anita Linda. Such events were heartwarming as they featured exhibits and retrospectives and gathered family, friends and colleagues.

Our light and love in PH entertainment

Regal Films matriarch Mother Lily is the first recipient of our Mother’s Day Tribute in 2017, when we officialized her title by bestowing “Ina Ng Pelikulang Pilipino” special award for her invaluable contributions to the film industry.

Her legacy goes beyond the successful “Mano Po” and “Shake, Rattle and Roll” franchises. She has produced more than 300 films since 1976, helping sustain the livelihoods of film workers because she never gave up on the industry.

Her generosity and resilience are much admired, and she is responsible for giving breaks to numerous filmmakers, artists and workers, myself included. My first-ever film is Mel Choinglo’s “Two Timer” (2002) starring Ara Mina.

Meanwhile, Gloria Romero is the latest PH Cinema mother figure to receive a special award from the national film agency. At the Film Ambassadors’ Night 2021 in February, she was given the “Ilaw ng Industriya Award” for being a doting matriarch who supports and inspires our workers.

Starring in over 200 films and television shows, tita Gloria’s career of almost seven decades is a testament of her acclaimed artistry, laudable work ethic, and encompassing love for film.

The multi-awarded illustrious actress, known for Laurice Guillen’s “Tanging Yaman” and Olive La Torre’s “Dalagang Ilocana,” continues to serve as a guiding light especially to actors of the succeeding generations.

Their undisputed legacy lives on

Maria Azucena “Manay Ichu” Vera-Perez Maceda and Anita Linda are no longer with us, but their contributions to the industry continue to be relevant and significant.

In 2018, Manay Ichu was honored through “A Spotlight on Mothers of Philippine Cinema.” Coming from the Vera-Perez clan that owned Sampaguita Pictures, she became a filmmaker and was the executive producer of “Batch ‘81” by Mike de Leon and “Dyesebel” by Anthony Taylor.

She was an exceptional industry leader who pioneered legislation for the establishment of the FDCP, Film Academy of the Philippines, Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund), Philippine Motion Pictures Producers Association, Experimental Cinema of the Philippines, and Metro Manila Film Festival.

She also served as the Chairperson of the Film Development Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. and as Head of the FDCP’s International Film Festival Committee. Until her final days, Manay Ichu continued to fight for the sustainability of her beloved industry.

The following year, Anita Linda was given a tribute during the “Sandaan: Dunong ng Isang Ina” event. Until her demise in 2020 at the age of 95, she was the oldest living active Filipino actress.

Her last work, “Circa” by Adolfo Alix, Jr., gave her a Best Actress nomination at the 2019 Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino. The legendary veteran bagged local and international recognitions for her performances in Brillante Mendoza’s “Lola” and Emmanuel Quindo Palo’s “Sta. Niña.”

Tita Anita’s brilliant acting, remarkable dedication to her craft, and heartening mentorship have empowered generations of actors and workers by giving them the voice that promotes excellence and determination.

Women as pillars of PH Cinema

Philippine Cinema is fortunate to have formidable pillars such as Mother Lily, Tita Gloria, Manay Ichu, and Tita Anita who, on top of being super moms, are competent decision makers and fearless game changers. They are epitomes of strength, passion, fortitude and dedication who are able to display resoluteness alongside compassion and sensitivity.

I take great inspiration from them because they have motivated me to stay focused on my goals for the industry despite the naysayers, trials and obstacles. I learned from them that the Filipino film industry must be protected and nurtured despite all odds, and top priority must be given to our workers.

It is truly admirable that the Filipino film industry is led by mothers, and if only I could create an impact just like them in my own way, then that, for me, is already a source of my fulfillment as FDCP Chairperson.

Cheers to our industry’s mothers and to all the moms out there! Happy Mother’s Day!

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.