MANILA -- The Quezon City local government will host the 2nd Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP), a film festival that will exclusively screen Filipino films organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) in celebration of the “Buwan ng Wika”.
Among the activities to be organized by the Quezon City government and the FDCP is the Grand Fans Day on Saturday, August 11 at Liwasang Aurora in Quezon Memorial Circle, which will include an “all-star” motorcade that will start from Amoranto Sports Complex.
The motorcade will pass through Timog Avenue, Maginhawa Street and end up at Quezon Memorial Circle.
Liza Diño-Seguerra, chairperson and chief executive officer of FDCP, cited the economic contribution of Quezon City in Metro Manila for having the most number of cinemas.
“Ang Quezon City po ang merong pinakamaraming sinehan sa buong (The Quezon City has the most number of cinemas in the entire) Metro Manila, 60 percent of cinemas in Metro Manila are all in Quezon City, and the 80 percent of the gross box office receipts actually comes from Quezon City,” Dino said in an ambush interview on Monday.
“This will be a big step for us to work together towards naming Quezon City as one of UNESCO’s (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization) creative cities, lalo pang mapapayabong ang kultura ng pelikula (the culture of film will be even more enriched) and the economic contributions of what film can do,” she added.
There will be an opening night for the PPP on August 14 and a Film Industry Conference on August 17 and 18 at Novotel Manila in Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City.
Meanwhile, Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte cited the plan of the Quezon City Council to craft an ordinance that will require a one-week screening of Filipino films in Quezon City in all cinemas to celebrate “Buwan ng Wika”.
“May balak ang Sangguniang Panlungsod na magpasa ng isang ordinansa kung saan merong isang linggo sa Buwan ng Wika na puro Filipino film lamang ang pinapalabas sa lahat ng sinehan sa buong lungsod Quezon (The City Council has a proposal to pass an ordinance wherein there will be one week during the Buwan ng Wika that only Filipino films will be shown in all cinemas in the whole of Quezon City),” Belmonte said in a separate interview.
Belmonte also stressed the vision of the city government to be the center for the culture and arts in the country.
“Ang atin pong pangarap ay ang lungsod Quezon ay maging permanenteng kilala bilang sentro ng sining at kultura sa buong Pilipinas lalo na sa larangan ng pelikula sapagkat tayo ay kinilala bilang (Our dream is that Quezon City will be permanently known as center of arts and culture in the entire Philippines, especially in the film industry because we were recognized as) ‘City of Stars’ by ordinance and entertainment capital of the Philippines,” Belmonte said.
“Gusto po talaga nating patunayan sa lahat na (We really would like to prove to all that) we are deserving of these titles that have been bestowed upon us,” she added.
Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino features eight films that will be shown in all theaters nationwide from Aug. 15 to 21, 2018, the following films are:
* “Ang Babaeng Allergic sa Wifi” directed by Jun Lana;
* “Bakwit Boys” directed by Jason Paul Laxamana;
* “Madilim ang Gabi” directed by Adolfo B. Alix, Jr.;
* “Pinay Beauty” directed by Jay Abello;
* “Signal Rock” directed by Chito S. Roño;
* “The Day after Valentine’s” directed by Jason Paul Laxamana;
* “Unli Life” directed by Miko Livelo; and
* “We Will Not Die Tonight” directed by Richard Somes.
Ticket prices for movies included in the PPP will depend on the cinema. A 20-percent discount will be provided to students with valid IDs during weekdays. (PNA)
