In line with the State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Duterte, I would like to share the Top 20 accomplishments of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), which is under the Office of the President.

Philippine Cinema has been integral to the Filipino experience since the first local production was shown in 1919 — over 100 years ago. Through the consumption of films, Filipinos are able to appreciate the arts and preserve their culture.

One of the priorities of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) is to empower Filipino documentary films and provide filmmakers and producers more platforms to showcase their works.

Like with the rest of the government agencies in the country and around the world, the Film Development Council of the Philippines’ planned projects, events, and programs this year have been severely affected and this has brought us a new perspective on how to provide services and engage stakeholders.

On June 7, 2020, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III, and I, as the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chairperson and CEO, signed with immediate effectivity the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 2020-001 on the Health and Safety Protocols for the Conduct of Film and Audiovisual Production Shoots and Audiovisual Activities During Covid-19 Pandemic.

As we end the month of June, I want to dedicate this column to my agency. June is doubly special to me because there are two significant occasions that make me feel excited – the anniversary of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and my birthday.

The film and audiovisual (AV) industry in the Philippines, while classified as a non-essential business sector, has been integral in our daily life. It has long been ingrained in the Filipino experience through the consumption of film and audiovisual content, witnessing of live events and performances, and appreciation and preservation of culture and the arts.

By this time, Filipino films would have already made the rounds in international film festivals and our filmmakers would have participated in film markets around the globe.

Lights, camera, action! Good take! Cut! That’s a wrap! These were words we thought we wouldn’t hear echoing across production sets any time soon, given stringent health and safety measures to flatten the curve of the coronavirus pandemic. But as of May 16, they well may be returning with film and audiovisual production shoots now allowed in most parts of the country.

The audio-visual culture and industry have always been ingrained in the Filipino experience, whether through the consumption of film or witnessing live events and performances.