"We give the world our best."

This was First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos' remark as she called on the local film industry to rally behind a renewed vision of showcasing Filipino talent on the world stage.

First Lady Liza said this as she graced the opening of the temporary office of the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) in Makati City on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

In a short speech, Araneta-Marcos emphasized the importance of unleashing Filipino talent globally.

"The best way to help the movie industry is to tell the world that Filipinos are good, we're talented," she said.

According to the First Lady, there was a need to elevate awareness of the country’s creative industry. She said marketing the Filipino creative industry abroad is crucial for advancing Filipino filmmakers and promoting national pride.

"There are so many prestigious film festivals across the globe, such as Cannes and Sundance. Here in the Philippines, we have the Metro Manila Film Festival and the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF),” she said.

"The key is for industry stakeholders to come together, discuss, and explore ways to uplift the local film industry. It's really about awareness and education," she added.

The overarching theme of the campaign, "Give the World Our Best," calls on the Philippine creative industry to unite and take full advantage of international platforms.

By promoting local talent and producing world-class films, Filipinos would not only elevate the nation’s film industry but also contribute to the country’s cultural pride and identity.

Creative industry professional Greg Garcia, during the same event, echoed the First Lady's sentiments, pointing out the remarkable influence of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) across the globe.

"The OFWs are running the world right now. Their influence spans across industries, and that includes the global film landscape," he said.

"Some of the best professionals in the movie industry are Filipinos, but they remain one of the best-kept secrets," he added.

Garcia said the time was "ripe" for the Philippines to send its best talents and films to the international stage.

"We have the opportunity to literally give the world our best people, and when you give the world the best, they give their best in return. That’s how we raise the bar for the Philippine film industry," he said.