CANNES, FRANCE: As one of the world's top three most important film festivals and film markets, the global industry has always looked to Cannes for the trends and future of festivals and the market for films. Indeed, "Cannes is Cannes" as every year, it sets the tone, direction and vision for the world's players.

The Philippines has never been short of film artistry, but more can be done to broaden the diversity of our stories. There's always a center of filming and arts in a country such as Hollywood in the United States, Mumbai in India, and in our case, Metro Manila. But we can't deny that there are also rich and promising narratives in the fringes.

They say that life begins at 40. If you asked me in the past, this means having a celebration that's bigger than my usual ones. So before the pandemic, I had originally planned on something big to mark this milestone.

Fifteen months have passed since the declaration of a national state of calamity in the country due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It seems like a short period of time - just over a year - yet, we have a film and audiovisual (AV) industry that continuous to be gravely affected by the lockdown and necessary restrictions.

I am a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. My husband, Ice Seguerra, is a transman, and we belong to a transgender family. We have been married for seven years, withstanding the harsh judgments because we choose to be real and true to who we are.

For over a year now, this column has been a platform for updates on the film industry, including the projects and programs of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP). Whenever I share with you something new from the national film agency every Sunday, I focus on how it would contribute to Philippine Cinema. This time around, I'd like to put the spotlight on the people that make up the FDCP.

Victory and humanity - these two words make up the theme of the 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines, which mark the 500th anniversary of the Victory at Mactan on April 27 and the Philippine part in the first circumnavigation of the world from March 16 to October 28.

It's the second to the last Sunday of May, and just like that, we are almost halfway through the year. Philippine Cinema continues to be tested by the various quarantine restrictions that hamper operations in development, pre-production, principal photography, post-production, distribution, and exhibition. Yet, our industry remains thriving because of the resolve of our filmmakers and workers to continue with content creation.

Yesterday, May 15, was the birth anniversary of the Father of Philippine Cinema, José Nepomuceno who was born on 1893 in Quiapo, Manila. It was also on May 15 when Don José established Malayan Movies, later renamed Nepomuceno Productions, in 1917.

Nepomuceno was hailed as the Father of Philippine Movies because he was the one who started it all. As the formidable figure of the Philippine silent cinema era, he produced and directed “Dalagang Bukid” starring Atang de la Rama and Marceliano Ilagan, the first Filipino-produced and directed feature film.

Motherhood is a lifelong commitment and I am honored and grateful to fulfill this each and every day to my daughter, Amara. She is my life’s greatest blessing and the ultimate reason why I strive to be a better person and try to be the best mother ever.