The Movie Workers Welfare Foundation, Inc. (Mowelfund) celebrated its 48th year with enhanced programs that would benefit its more than 4,000 members, mostly marginalized film workers and beneficiaries.
"In the last 48 years of its existence, Mowelfund has continuously enhanced its benefits and programs for its members," said Chairman Boots Anson Roa Rodrigo, during its anniversary celebration held at the Mowelfund Center, No. 66 Rosario Drive cor. Ilang-Ilang Street, Cubao, Quezon City, last March 25.
Roa-Rodrigo said: "As a member of Mowelfund, the benefits each member can claim are Medical Aid in the amount of P8,000 for a maximum of three hospital confinements per year. Surgical Aid in the amount of P13,000 per year for a major surgical procedure, either invasive or non-invasive. Continuing Medication in the form of medicine purchase reimbursements listed in the doctor’s prescription for P5,000 maximum reimbursement once a year and Funeral Assistance of P35,000 to the immediate relatives of the member who passed on to defray funeral costs. In collaboration with the National Housing Authority (NHA) and the San Jose Del Monte City Local Government in Bulacan."
Sixteen members of Mowelfund have also qualified to avail of the housing project located in Barangay Gaya-Gaya, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. "The 16 members underwent a series of screenings and evaluations to meet the prescribed requirements. In addition, recent tie-ups with Potato Corner and Marispure Corp-owners of Healthy and Pure Water offered no-franchising fees for members interested to put up their own Potato Corner Stall or becoming distributors of Healthy and Pure Water as a source of additional income."
Aside from Roa-Rodrigo, Mowelfund is guided and inspired by its Board of Directors headed by Vice-Chairman Gina Alajar, Direk Edgardo “Boy” Vinarao, CMB head Jim Baltazar, Foundation President and COO Rez Cortez, and Vice President and COO Julius Topacio. Day-to-day management and operations are conducted by the Executive Committee headed by Cortez and Topacio with Administration and Finance Director Emma Mon Alon, Welfare Director Joey Roa, and Education Director Ricky Orellana as members.
The Board thanked former President Joseph Estrada for his vision in founding Mowelfund in 1974 to help provide medical and health benefits as well as film education opportunities to its marginalized movie industry workers.
"Like you, our friends and supporters in media who have continuously worked to bring news and information to the public despite the travails brought by Covid-19, Mowelfund has quietly fulfilled its mandate since 2020 without fanfare," Roa-Rodrigo said.
She also said: "During the Covid interim, Mowelfund successfully engaged in a joint realty project with developer Victor Consunji and Company. We have transferred to our modest building and are completing the finishing touches, interior design, and furnishing. We are installing equipment, technical provisions, and amenities for classrooms, production facilities, and for a state–of–the–art 54-seat theater."
"Mowelfund brought regular benefits and 'ayuda' to its members’ homes. On more opportune occasions, it scheduled small gatherings to distribute cash gifts and groceries to members who could commute," Roa-Rodrigo said. "We have recently transferred to our modest building and have laid our concrete plans for a sustainable development program that will allow us to continue with our welfare and education mandates until and beyond 2024 when we shall commemorate our 50th year."
On the education end, the Mowelfund Film Institute conducted various webinars and online masterclasses in acting with Leo Martinez, directing with Joey Reyes, scriptwriting with Ricky Lee, and cinematography with Raymond Red.
Recently, the Mowelfund Board, Execom and staff completed a three-day strategic planning and team building session. The strategic planning endeavor laid concrete plans for a sustainable development program that will allow the group to continue with their welfare and education mandates until and beyond 2024 when they shall commemorate the 50th year.
"As we turn 48, we have leveled up to a new type of membership called Platinum Membership. Platinum membership is offered to film workers who can afford a higher annual membership fee with increased monetary amounts in the benefits plus additional perks to include discounts for Online classes or Intensive Workshops on filmmaking by the Mowelfund Film Institute or MFI as well as a Personal Accident Insurance coverage for one year. We are also beefing up our programs for the members to equip them with the skills and abilities that could be used for opportunities to earn income," Roa-Rodrigo said.
Since it was established in 1979, the Mowelfund Film Institute (MFI) has immensely contributed to producing quality films and educating filmmakers that cater to the constant development of local cinema. MFI is one of the major programs under Movie Workers Welfare Foundation, Inc. (MOWELFUND) that conducts trainings and workshops not just for filmmakers, but for people (actors, producers, film enthusiasts) who are interested in entering the film industry.
"Even in the early years of its operation, MFI has proudly dedicated its time to improving film education that brings an emphasis on building the creativity and uniqueness of each of its students. Various acclaimed local and foreign lecturers are constantly invited to conduct seminars and workshops which entice filmmakers, film enthusiasts, and various students from different universities to attend. A number of notable alumni who have entered reputable film festivals and have taken home prestigious awards include Raymond Red, Lav Diaz, Brillante Mendoza, Jun Lana, Martika Ramirez Escobar and more," she said.
With the hopes of uplifting the state of the local cinema, MFI proudly teaches its students to produce films that are of relevance from which they could freely voice their opinions on significant issues as well as to accentuate the importance of creating art through compelling stories that would turn into eye-opening films.
Besides future face-to-face and blended film classes, the MFI will take the next big step in enhancing its online service through the use of an OPAC (online public access catalog) by offering a substantial list of archival videos, photos, movie posters, newspaper clippings, film books, and publications selected from the library and audiovisual archive’s main collection.