Liza Dino

Award-winning actress and former Chairperson-CEO of the Film Development Council of the Philippines Liza Dino couldn’t help crying throughout her speech as she accepted the Republic of France’s highest civilian award for Culture and the Arts Friday, June 23.

Liza was awarded the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (National Order of Arts and Letters (with the rank of Chevalier or Knight) in an intimate ceremony at the French Residence in Forbes Park, Makati City. She became the first Filipina to become a French Knight in the field of cinema.

The award was presented by French Ambassador Michele Boccoz, who gave a long summary of Liza’s involvement in promoting Philippine films in France and other parts of the world.

The award recognizes Liza'S exceptional contributions to the film industry and her unwavering dedication to fostering cultural exchanges between the Philippines, France, and the world.

It was a sort of sweet vindication for the actress-turned-producer known for her passion for Filipino films.

“I love this industry, and I shall die fighting for its recognition worldwide,” she said.

Liza paid tribute to her mother and grandmother, Marissa Bautista and Teofista Bautista, respectively, whom she credited for having planted in her this deep-seated love for movies. She recalled that they both worked as theater checkers for Joseph Estrada's movie company, JE Productions.

“My Lola used to bring me with her to the cinemas. While she did her work, she would leave me inside the moviehouse to watch films all day. So, growing up, I spent the whole day in various stand-alone cinemas in Cubao and around Metro Manila just to watch Filipino films.”

Even as a child, Liza knew she wanted to be a part of the industry, whether in front or behind the camera. After winning a beauty title, Mutya ng Pilipinas in 2001, she became an actress.

Her appointment as chair of FDCP in 2016 by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte was met with skepticism and raised eyebrows. Insiders called her an obscure actress. Inexperienced. Walang alam.

Challenged by mounting criticism, Liza devoted herself to studying and learning ways and means of promoting Filipino films in the world market, helping producers and filmmakers fill in the gaps in their projects by inter-connecting with agencies that award film grants abroad.

Liza was visibly surprised and teary-eyed as Madame Boccoz summarized in her long speech what she has accomplished in France for Philippine films. Ms. Boccoz itemized each and every one of them as she rationalized why France has chosen her as the recipient of the tallest award in the field of culture and the arts.

She praised Liza for her hard work in opening doors for  Filipino filmmakers and films and bridging the Philippines and France for cultural exchange, mutual policies, and promotions.

Liza is currently the CEO of Fire and Ice Media and Productions, Inc. She is also the newly appointed Executive Director of the Quezon City Film Development Commission.

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