HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRIPE-VINE
(Part 2)
When my eldest son graduated from university in 2013, his first job was with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP); and when I attended one of the Festivals that the FDCP mounts, I met a guest who worked with the Royal Film Commission of Jordan. The Commission exists to promote Jordan as a film location, and to assist in making this happen on a basis mutually beneficial to all parties concerned. If one qualified for it, there’s even a Jordan Film Fund for financial support. Films such as “The Martian” and “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” have been shot in Jordan, “Rogue One” at the Wadi Rum.
I was reminded about having met this person as I read about our First Lady Liza A. Marcos’ meeting with the Department of Tourism and the Department of Trade & Industry to prioritize film tourism here in the Philippines — part of her over-arching initiative of revitalizing Philippine cinema and our film industry, and beyond that, raising pride in our national identity through achievements on the cultural front.
When you do a cursory search of what Jordan’s Royal Film Commission provides, it includes: Incentives, location scouting and security, logistics, local crew, cultural orientation, and 24/7 support. And these are all concrete concerns, the Commission anticipating eventualities, cognizant of the fact that it doesn’t happen just because you declare you’re welcoming film producers, or wish it to happen. So I’ll be curious to watch what steps will be taken to fast-track film tourism here. To make it happen regularly, without falling back on some Filipino-American connection is the key; and it will take a lot of long-range planning, and financial incentives — guaranteed to make film producers sit up and seriously consider.
Mention was made of having a Filipino movie or film person take home an Oscar. And that’s something we can plan for 2026, as we didn’t even make the short list for this year’s Best International Feature Film. Thailand’s “How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” did! And as I write this, we await Jan. 23, when the final list of nominations will be announced. My only comment on this subject is how intriguing a title the Thai film had, and how the film was “very Thai,” and yet carried a universal message that would resonate with a global audience.
“An Errand” (CineMalaya) was directed by my nephew, Belgian-Filipino Dominic Bekaert, from a story of Sarge Lacuesta, and it’s been accepted to compete at the Rotterdam Film Festival next month. The eldest son I mentioned above worked on the film with his cousin, and I’ll be wishing them the best as they’ll fly our flag at the Rotterdam Film Festival. Their getting accepted at Rotterdam has been a case of “sariling sikap.” (their own effort).
I fully support what our First Lady is striving to achieve. And as I said last week, I can only hope that those who do have her ear, will give good and sound advice, and not be disguising their own private agendas. The road to disaster and/or wasted efforts can often be paved with the best of intentions.
Why do I say this? I don’t doubt that there were the best of intentions when our government got behind the visit of Vanessa Hudgens and her mother in March of 2023. But even back then, I did write in this column about how I couldn’t justify all the money being spent, and the fuss we made. I have nothing against Miss Hudgens and I’m ready to presume she’s a great person; but she’s also a passé television celebrity, and “High School Musical” with Zac Efron was way back 2006.
I very much doubted that the documentary of her visit here would find an audience today, or be of relevance. And sure enough, it’ll soon be two years since her visit, and I don’t think any streaming platform has picked up the documentary. So what was that media buzz all about? Back in March 2023, we couldn’t escape what she was up to every single day of her visit; and that even included an audience with the President.
If you ask me what would work globally for promoting Filipino identity? My answer then, and still now, would be a music video of Olivia Rodrigo, Bruno Mars, and H.E.R. Just see what Bruno has created with his Rosé collaboration on “APT.” The global impact of that song has been tremendous, and we should commission Bruno to write a new song, and work with Olivia and H.E.R. on a video that waves the flag, without being heavy-handed about it.
For example, I love Apl.de.Ap, and see how he’s now producing, discovering new acts, etc. But even here, the Black Eyed Peas are more than a decade out of the spotlight. There’s a whole new generation that would see the Peas as a nostalgia act. We have to connect via artists who are relevant today and genuinely trend, guaranteeing the traction on social media. We could even include Sofronio Vasquez III in the music video.
Just some random thoughts on how we can make these valid aspirations have a better chance of being realized. What do you think?