Bela Padilla vows commitment to help PH film industry

March 19 ------ Actress and filmmaker Bela Padilla attended the recent hearing of the House of Representatives’ committee on creative industries, supporting the bill that aims to strengthen the Philippine film industry through the creation of the Philippine Film Commission.

Padilla, who was present as one of the resource speakers, lamented in an Instagram post on Wednesday, March 18, how she was not able to finish the hearing due to a filming schedule. “I was only able to stay for everybody’s opening statements but I actually had answers for the ten questions I was sent beforehand, when asked for suggestions to help fix problems that I see as a filmmaker today,” she said.

The actress then recounted her speaking engagements in Switzerland and Italy, where she shared her experience as a filmmaker in a developing country. “The reaction was always the same. They’re amazed at our output when our budgets are so low,” she stated. “Honestly, I always get sad when I hear a Filipino put down a local film or review a local film harshly and compare our work to an international project that has a budget we can only dream of, because I see foreigners appreciate our work more than we do. And sadly, that lack of patriotism or pride in our work is apparent not only in the film industry but in every sector,” she continued.

Padilla noted how she saw an opportunity to help the local film industry through the ideas proposed by Negros Occidental Rep. Javi Benitez, chairman of the House Special Committee on Creative Industries. “I was pleasantly surprised to see the other day that the bill covers so much of what needs to be addressed, like fair equity for creatives and producers,” she continued. “I wish I could have stayed longer, but I had to go back to the set. But I obviously will always be here to help the industry I love most in any way I can,” she vowed. “What I clearly saw the other day is that one truly doesn’t need to be elected to help. And that there are people elected who still care.”

Concluding her post, Padilla expressed hope as she noted, “We have a long way to go. But this bill, if passed and done correctly, will get us closer.”

Aside from the creation of the film commission, the bill seeks to support filmmakers through incentives, funding, and skills development.

Source: inquirer.net