Producers of an upcoming movie entitled "Siglo ng Kalinga" that tackles the heroism of Filipino nurses expressed disappointment after it was not included among the official entries of the first Summer Metro Manila Film Festival in April.
“It is quite disheartening that there seems to be no room for tribute and gratitude from the film industry for the heroes of the pandemic, our nurses. The recent exclusion of our film, Siglo ng Kalinga, from the Magic 8 of the Summer Metro Manila Film Festival is indeed attesting to that value," said Dr. Carl Balita, executive producer and CEO of Dr. Carl Balita Productions (DCBP).
Archie Del Mundo, writer-producer of the film, also commented: “Only movies shot during the pandemic were included, however, the film about the pandemic heroes were left out. Is it about the commercial appeal? 900,000 nursing students are already waiting for us to screen the film. What could be more relevant than a film that exposes and shows the lives of individuals who gave their lives so that we might all live and survive?”
Siglo ng Kalinga is the first film with an all-nurses cast that includes Joy Ras, Tads Obach, Bambi Rojas, Ellener Cruz, Joel Rey Carcasona, Aldrin Samson, Irma Bustamante, Jewell Alano, Abbey Romero, Anna Illescas, Lorrich Del Castilo, Denmark Mismanos, Aya Sarmiento, Jam Sandiego, Val Ramilo, Jerico Roque, and VJ Mendoza.
Nursing leaders and luminaries, mostly deans and presidents of nursing schools and PNA officers, also played vital historical roles, such as Dr. Cora Anonuevo, Mila Llanes, Betty Merritt, Remedios Fernandez, Rita Tamse, Clare Curato, Frances Cuevas, Nerissa Gerial, and PNA National President Melvin Miranda.
Dr. Balita revealed the movie will have its world premiere in the third week of April 2023. Aside from joining festivals abroad, Balita envisioned that the film on nurses, whose heroism got highlighted during the pandemic, is supported by the entire nursing community, their families, students, and teachers.
Following the commercial theatrical screenings, Siglo ng Kalinga will screen via the National Block Screening Caravan and will go as far north and south, including schools and venues on the islands, he also said.
To help promote the film venue and students and teachers, DCBP will conduct a Grand Siglo School Caravan.
In line with this, screenings through special facilities or at a theater near schools will be made.
Free symposiums or forums before and after the exhibitions–are added value to exhibiting the film, to be led by Dr. Balita himself, nursing leaders and luminaries, some of our real nurses cast, and their filmmakers.
For inquiries, please contact +63906-597-9781 and email at [email protected]. Visit the website siglongkalinga.com, and its official Facebook Page: facebook.com/siglongkalinga.