The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) has turned over some 3,000 “audiovisual elements” from its collection to the National Film Archives of the Philippines (NFAP).
This was announced over the weekend by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), which oversees the NFAP. The FDCP also declared its plan to purchase a film scanner in 2015 for the digitization of the NFAP film collection.
According to an FDCP statement, majority of the materials were made from the late 1960s to mid-1980s and consisted mostly of works produced by the PIA and the National Media Production Center (NMPC), “such as historical recordings and footage from undertakings with other private and government institutions.”
“The PIA has transferred to NFAP approximately 1,000 titles, totaling 3,000 audiovisual elements, such as negatives, sound and tapes of different formats. The collection transferred were cultural and historical documentaries and footage,” the FDCP said, adding that this was already the PIA’s second turnover.
The initial transfer took place in 2011 and consisted of various film elements ranging from negatives to prints of 61 feature films and docus.
The PIA, once the government’s central film laboratory, became the keeper of these historical and audiovisual materials after the NMPC was dissolved following the Edsa Revolution in 1986.
Frightfest ongoing
Meanwhile, the FDCP is hosting a “Frightfest” at Ayala Malls Cinemas until Christmas Eve.
Since Dec. 17, Market! Market! and TriNoma have been showing Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes’ “T’yanak,” Gil M. Portes’ “Hukluban,” Romy V. Suzara’s “Sigaw sa Hatinggabi” and Edgardo “Boy” Vinarao’s “Bacao.”
The films were all part of the FDCP-produced Horror Plus Film Festival 2014 in October.
“T’yanak,” which tells the story of a monster-child wreaking havoc in a quiet town, was shown at Market! Market! on Dec. 20. Another screening is scheduled for Dec. 24.
“Hukluban,” about a woman cursed with immortality, was screened at Market! Market! on Dec. 21 and will be shown at the TriNoma today.
“Sigaw sa Hatinggabi,” which follows a group of paranormal investigators in a reality TV-style narrative, will be featured at the Market! Market! today and at the TriNoma tomorrow.
“Bacao” revolves around a woman struggling with infertility. Market! Market! will show the film tomorrow; TriNoma, on Dec. 24. For details, visit www.fdcp.ph.
(E-mail mcruz@inquirer.com.ph)