MANILA, PHILIPPINES, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 -- Amid the current pandemic, even the film industry has found it necessary to explore creative ways of sharing and continuing to thrive. The internet and online streaming, in particular, has been a significant tool for providing such platforms, as the industry continues to hold events while maintaining necessary safety protocols. With this, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) led initiative ‘Sine Sandaan’ is now the latest to make use of online streaming, as FDCP partners up with The Manila Times Broadcasting Corporation (TMT) to launch the online movie streaming platform ‘Sine Sandaan on The Manila Times TV.’

Through ‘Sine Sandaan on The Manila Times TV’ FDCP and TMT will celebrate the closing of 100 years of Philippine Cinema by providing an alternative exhibition platform for the Philippine film industry. The program premieres on September 18 and is scheduled to run for 13 weeks. The FDCP-TMT partnership will provide online streaming access to FDCP co-produced films through The Manila Times TV’s online platform. The online streaming initiative is one of several events held by FDCP concluding the one-year celebration of Philippine cinema’s centennial year, Sine Sandaan, which kicked off at last year’s Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino. 

FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño with The Manila Times President Dante Ang

FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño expressed her excitement for the initiative saying, “‘Sine Sandaan on The Manila Times TV’ is one of the ways through which we can continue to support and exhibit our film industry despite these difficult times. It is important for the industry to not remain at a standstill and continue to find ways to exhibit their works to the public.”

Chair Diño also spoke about the perfect match for FDCP and The Manila Times to collaborate, as the FDCP looks for ways to broaden the reach of Philippine cinema and as TMT expanded its reach to digital platforms. She said, “The Manila Times TV is a new platform of The Manila Times as they shift to this ‘new normal’ and as they shift to digital platforms, because they want to access more audiences and have a bigger reach. I am honored, and FDCP is privileged to have our Filipino independent films to be part of this goal of The Manila Times TV.”

“Through this initiative, we will be showcasing the best of Philippine cinema to a broad public. The initiative will bring avenues of support to our film industry and we hope fans of Philippine cinema will appreciate the films that will be available through the free ‘Spotlight section’ and the budget-friendly ‘Master’s’ section.” 

One of the films to be available in the 'masters' section is Lino Brocka's 1975 realist classic, Maynila sa Kuko ng Liwanag

Sine Sandaan on the Manila Times TV will feature a ‘Spotlight’ and ‘Masters’ section. Under the ‘Spotlight’ section, film-lovers can expect a showcase of contemporary, up-and-coming filmmakers and their films such as Ang Mga Kidnapper ni Ronnie Lazaro (dir. Sigfreid Barros Sanchez), Bahay ng Lagim (dir. Celso Ad. Castillo), and Sigaw sa Hating Gabi (dir. Romy Suzara). Films in the ‘Spotlight’ section will be available for free.

Meanwhile, the ‘Masters’ section will feature world-renowned Filipino auteurs and projects including Maynila sa Kuko ng Liwanag (dir. Lino Brocka), Pagdating sa Dulo (dir. Ishmael Bernal), and Genghis Khan (dir. Manuel Conde)., Films in the ‘Masters’ section will be available through an affordable pay-per-view library. Both ‘Spotlight’ and ‘Masters’ sections on Sine Sandaan on the Manila Times TV will be accessible to cinephiles around the world. 

The partnership began with a call from Dante Ang to Liza discussing how they could support the Philippine FIlm Industry.

President of The Manila Times Dante Ang commended FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño “for her bold and creative initiative to partner with The Manila Times TV for the benefit of our Independent movie producers. Liza’s initiative demonstrates her compassion and concern for our movie producers” he said.

Ang additionally emphasized the importance of the partnership during these trying times for the film industry, saying in a statement “For creativity to bloom, it must have an outlet or a space; like a bird, it can only spread its wings if it is free; not caged. Sine Sandaan will provide that space. It will be an avenue for creative expressions. An avenue our movie producers can take advantage of in showcasing their works of art.”

Sine Sandaan on The Manila Times TV is part of a festive and eventful September for FDCP. Alongside the launch of the online streaming platform, FDCP will also be holding an online edition of the Film Industry Conference, an expanded online edition of the Full Circle Lab Philippines, an online social media campaign in the #SineWikainChallenge, and the launch of the National Registry mobile app. These events come prior to the online edition of the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) scheduled for this coming October.