John Lloyd Cruz seeks reform in MMFF, says House probe ‘beyond showbiz’

John Lloyd Cruz shaves his head in a scene from “Honor Thy Father.”

Actor John Lloyd Cruz on Wednesday appeared before the House of Representatives to attend the hearing on the disqualification of the film “Honor Thy Father” from the Best Picture race at the recent Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

Cruz, lead actor and also a co-producer of “Honor Thy Father,” said the House probe was an opportunity to institute reforms in the MMFF and the film industry, noting that the issue was beyond showbiz.

READ: John Lloyd Cruz misses House probe on ‘Honor Thy Father’ disqualification

The inquiry stemmed from a resolution filed by Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez, a cast member who directed the MMFF executive committee to explain why the film was disqualified from the Best Picture category for its supposed non-disclosure of its participation in another film festival.

READ: Erik Matti’s ‘Honor Thy Father’ opens Cinema One Originals 2015

“Nandito ako dahil mahal ko ang pelikulang Pilipino. Mahal ko siya dahil minahal din niya ako nang sobra sobra. Binigyan niya ako ng maraming magagandang karanasan… Hindi ito maliit na bagay. Hindi ito ka-showbizan lang. Importante itong nangyayari dito ngayon. Ang prosesong ito,” Cruz said in a statement that he read, a copy of which was published by Coconuts Manila.

(I am here because I love the Philippine film industry. I love it because it loves me immensely. It gave me a lot of beautiful experiences…This is not small change. This is not mere show biz. What’s happening now is important. This process.)

“Pagkakataon ito para magkaroon ng reporma sa MMFF. Ngayon napakainit ng issue na ito. Sana naman pagdating ng May at June, kung kailan pinipili ang mga susunod na entries ay may mga konkretong pagbabago na. Nang sa gayon, ang MMFF ay pagmulan ng inspirasyon sa halip sa pagdududa at kahihiyan,” he added.

(This is a chance to have a reform at the MMFF. This is a very sensitive issue. Hopefully this coming May and June, when the next entries are chosen there will be concrete change. With that, the MMFF will be a source of inspiration not of doubt and shame.)

Cruz said he was hoping that the House investigation would lead to the crafting of laws for the improvement of Philippine cinema.

“’Wag sanang masayang ang pagkakataong ito na maguslat ng mga batas sa ikabubuti ng industriya. Suportahan sana ng ibang Congressman at ng Senado ang mga Congressman na pumunta dito at nagmalasakit sa atin. Pero malaking homework din para sa atin ito sa industriya. Maglaan tayo ng oras para magsulat ng mga position paper, makipag-usap sa mga Congressman, mangulit, makibalita, at makialam,” he said.

Cruz also voiced out the need for more diverse choices of films for moviegoers, saying that there was a “huge opportunity” to develop an audience for local films.

“Kung gaano karami ang iba’t ibang karanasan natin sa buhay, sana ganu’n din karami ang iba’t ibang klase ng pelikula… Ang dami nang mga Pinoy films ang nagtagumpay sa takilya na hindi inaasahan at noong una ay tinanggal pa nga sa sinehan at biglang binalik na lang dahil sa word of mouth na nagparami ng mgataong gustong manood,” Cruz said, citing films like “Heneral Luna,” “Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank,” and “Norte.

“Ang punto ko lang ay: hindi kaya may malaking potential na maaring nawawala kapag hindi natin binibigyan ng espasyo ang iba’t ibang klase ng pelikula sa mga sinehan natin?”
he added.

In the end, Cruz said he was hoping that every Filipino, whether a member of the film industry or not, would take part in retalling the story of the race by embracing diversity and fighting for equal opportunities.

“Kasi sa ating lahat ang pelikulang Pilipino. Tayo ito… Oo, marami tayong di pagkakaunawaan. Pero sigurado ako na gaya ko, andito rin kayo dahil mahal niyo ang pelikulang Pilipino. At kung may natutunan ako sa dinami-dami ng ginawa kong romantic movies, ‘yun ay: Ang mahal mo, ipaglalaban mo,” he said. TVJ

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