I always look forward to engaging with regional filmmakers because being in their company becomes a humbling and rewarding experience every time. They may not have the same amount of exposure and opportunities compared to Metro Manila filmmakers, but still, they are just as skillful, creative, and driven despite being confined within their respective regional cinema communities.

Since I became the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chairperson in 2016, I’ve visited numerous regional film festivals and activities to manifest support from the government. Even with my very first regional film festival, I became amazed at how our filmmakers from the regions have made a community of their own, cultivating stories of their local culture and identity, and working together to sustain their own brand of cinema.

(Seated, from left) Film Academy of the Philippines Director-General Vivian Velez, Cultural Center of the Philippines President and National Commission for Culture and the Arts Chairman Arsenio ‘Nick’ Lizaso, Kidlat Tahimik, and the columnist with regional filmmakers (standing) at the 1st MFF.

Each festival, experience and interaction was unique in their own way, and I have come to meet and be witness to the growth and journey of some amazing regional filmmakers.

Kapampangan filmmaker Carlo Catu, who was a recipient of the Asean Fly Film Lab, has evolved into being one of the most important movers in filmmaking in Pampanga while earning international accolades for his works. Meanwhile, Zurich Chan, a Zamboangueño filmmaker whose project “Cangrejos” was supported in our Southern Voices Film Lab, is currently a grantee of various inter-national labs and project markets.

The 1st Montañosa Film Festival screening at Baguio’s Burnham Lake where audiences had to ride swan boats (left photo) and at the Loakan Airport in Baguio, which had a drive-in cinema setup.

Julienne Ilagan, a filmmaker from Cagayan de Oro, is not just contributing to the growth of regional cinema in her locality but is also championing women’s representation in cinema through the newly launched Inday Film Workshop supported by the FDCP.

I have experienced their relentless drive for excellence and immeasurable love for film, and that made my Agency and I more motivated to support their various initiatives and programs, specially dedicated to empowering and expanding regional cinema.

Sadly, I could not visit our dear regional filmmakers in 2020 due to the travel restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. We did connect and keep in touch with them via Zoom over the past year, but nothing beats personal interaction.

The inaugural Montañosa Film Festival

This is why I did not pass up the chance to attend the first Montañosa Film Festival (MFF) in Baguio City last March. I felt that it was an excellent opportunity to check on the filmmakers up north and get inspired by the passion of these young artists who aspire to make their mark in Philippine Cinema.

The young and vibrant Baguio filmmakers indeed made my visit to the City of Pines memorable. It was inspiring to listen to their stories and witness their energy, enthusiasm, and excitement about the many possibilities in the local and international scenes.

I also decided to go to Baguio to show the national film agency’s all-out support for the inaugural MFF that provided a hybrid setup with stringent health and safety protocols in place. Baguio, the country’s first-ever Unesco Creative City, is under Modified General Community Quarantine status.

The MFF organizers were inventive and creative. They held screenings of 25 films across various platforms — online, in selected hotels, at the Loakan Airport with a drive-in cinema setup, and even at Burnham Lake, where audiences had to ride swan boats.

It was quite surreal to attend a film fest with pre-pandemic feels. The MFF mounting proves that it is not impossible to stage a film festival even during the pandemic as long as the public, film sector, and government work hand-in-hand to find the balance between helping the film industry recover while prioritizing safety.

Yearning for learning

What is especially striking about regional filmmakers is their hunger for learning. They are interested in the programs offered by the FDCP in Manila and are serious about improving their skills.

Throughout the years, the free FDCP Film Talks in the regions have been widely attended, whether they are in-person events or virtual editions. This shows their eagerness to learn more about their craft and reflects their determination to enhance the quality of their works.

Before the MFF took place, the MFF Film Lab presented four FDCP Film Talks in February featuring Sheron Dayoc for Directing, Che Espiritu for Cinematography, Fatrick Tabada for Scriptwriting, and Gale Osorio for Film Production Management, Leadership, and Casting.

The final MFF Film Lab held during the festival proper was “picNICK Finalists’ Picnic,” a dialogue with Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) President and National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Chairman Arsenio “Nick” Lizaso.

I got to attend the “picNICK Finalists’ Picnic,” which provided MFF finalists with valuable pointers on how to start their journey as budding filmmakers. Also gracing the event were National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Kidlat Tahimik and Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) Director-General Vivian Velez.

The learning never stops for regional filmmakers as another series of FDCP Film Talks will be held this month presented by the FDCP in partnership with the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) CMS 179 Class of 2021 and UPV Armslength Productions.

The FDCP Film Talks @ Western Visayas Cinema Padayon 2021 will feature Keith Deligero from Visayas for Directing, Carlo Catu from Luzon for Production Design, Arbi Barbarona from Mindanao for Cinematography, and Angeli Bayani for Acting.

The strength of regional cinema

The fighting spirit of regional filmmakers continues to shine this year, even as their film festivals took a hit since 2020. The prohibition of mass gatherings did not deter them as regional film festivals carried on with online screenings, and this is still being done this year.

In February, the “Pananawan: a repertoire of films Year 9” of Iloilo City was held online during the National Arts Month celebration. This month, Pampanga’s CineKabalen finds a new home in our digital streaming platform, the FDCP Channel.

“CineKabalen Film Festival 8.5: Here Comes Sinukwan” will feature screenings of 35 short films, including the 14 finalists from the Kapampangan and Central Luzon categories. The CineKabalen shorts will be available for streaming worldwide from April 14 to 21.

As I have said before, regional cinema is Philippine Cinema. And participating in the first-ever MFF in Baguio reminded me of the great potential of regional filmmakers. Getting on-ground feedback led me to reassess what else can be done to support them. They have done so much for the industry, and they are capable of providing more significant contributions if only they are given addition-al support and guidance.

Indeed, the FDCP will continue to serve regional filmmakers by reaching out, bridging gaps, and providing more platforms for them to develop and prosper. Their passionate and tireless efforts must be fueled and sustained for the betterment of Philippine Cinema.

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.