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Patronize local films, FDCP urges Filipinos

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora

August 9, 2018, 10:08 pm

MANILA-- The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) on Thursday urged Filipinos to patronize local films during this month's Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP).

Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino is FDCP's biggest program this August, with a one-week exclusive screening of Filipino films in all regular theaters nationwide.

The PPP will showcase eight quality films curated by the agency, six special feature films and eight "sine kabataan" entries, or short films made by the youth.

"Alam naman po natin ngayon dito sa Pilipinas, malaki po ang patronage sa ating mga (We know that here in the Philippines, the patronage is big of) Hollywood films versus our local films. We are at 67 and 23 percent – yes, and mababa po ito (this is low)," FDCP chairperson Liza Diño told a press briefing at Malacañang.

"Kailangan po natin gumawa ng mga programa para po lalo pa nating hikayatin ang ating mga local audience na suportahan ang pelikulang Pilipino (We need to come up with programs to attract local audience to support Filipino movies)," she added.

Diño said PPP provides a platform for Filipino producers to showcase their content as well as an opportunity for the local audience to appreciate films that represent the current Philippine cinema.

"Our Philippine cinema is diverse. It’s not one note but unfortunately ngayon po sa ating mga (now in our) commercial cinemas kulang po tayo sa (we lack) diversity and I hope platforms like this will open up opportunities for our Filipino audience to realize that there a lot of Filipino stories to be shared at (and) for them to enjoy," she said.

The PPP will be in theaters nationwide from August 15 to 21 and will feature the following films:

PPP main titles:

1. Ang Babaeng Allergic sa Wi-Fi directed by June Lanas
2. Bakwit Boys by Jason Paul Laxamana
3. Madilim ang Gabi by Adolf T. Alix
4. Pinay Beauty by Jay Abello
5. Signal Rock by Chito S. Roño
6. The Day after Valentines by Jason Paul Laxamana
7. Unli Life by Miko Libelo
8. We Will Not Die Tonighy by Richard Somes

PPP Special Features Films:

1. Balangiga: Howling Wilderness directed by Khavn De La Cruz
2. Gusto kita with all my hypothalamus directed by Dwane Baltazar
3. High tide by Tara Ellenberger
4. Kiko Boksingero directed by Thop Nazareno
5. Paki directed by Giancarlo Abrahan
6. Tu Pug Imatuy directed by Arnel Barbarona. (PNA)

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