Two PH filmmakers in HK financing forum

Unless it is only to gain bragging rights, no amount of participation in such financing forum will ever solve capital lack in funding local film production unless the movie industry would badger legislators and local executives to provide more incentives to support local film production. As having had the experience of a joint venture production with a HK-based filmmaker, I know that a lot of those guys would want to do films in the country. During the time of Pres. Ramos, I was the only one who voiced this concern during a roundtable discussion between all local film makers in Malacanang with the President – the need for more fiscal and investment incentives for local film producers. Presently, a large percentage of gate receipts goes to local government taxes, which amount a producer should be allowed for tax credits that may be used for importation of capital equipment. Secondly, imported films should be taxed more than local productions.  Third, as film making is a potential tool for enhancing education, cultural upliftment and national pride, government financial institutions should provide more liberal credit terms for production of films that promote appreciation of our heritage and history. Films that depict the life of national heroes or episodes of our history should enjoy very liberal credit terms on top of DepEd mandatory requirement for student viewing.  We have yet to see a film on the life of Andres Bonifacio, Juan Luna or Lapulapu.  Fourth, to encourage our filmmakers to be more aggressive in their experiments towards a depiction of the whole gamut of the human experience, MTRCB can not be allowed to stifle legitimate expression of the art and the artist. Isn’t it ironic that MTRCB would still promote their feudal culture on local film productions and ban their local exhibition when these films are winning international accolades – and Filipinos can not even appreciate the work of their own countrymen?  Surely, if this timidity and lack of wisdom in the exercise of its functions is an inherent trait of the chairperson, that will be more magnified should the person becomes a Senator.