One-on-one with FDCP Chair Liza Diño

LIZA Diño

All of us at the Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB) were so delighted to meet Liza Diño, the new Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chair.

Despite her hectic schedule, she took time to visit us during our screening at My Cinema in Greenbelt. She charmed us instantly. We felt her sincerity and genuine desire to serve. Her zest is contagious.

We had an engaging discussion about how FDCP and CEB can work as a team to help make everything about the local movie industry award-worthy.

Lights, camera, begin!

Here’s my chat with Liza:

What do you think ails local cinema?

Our film community is not considered an industry. That’s why we have problems about welfare, working conditions, working hours, abuse and discrimination, and tax brackets.

Unions are prohibited because we are not regarded as an industry. Marketing and distribution problems are major issue. Audience development is important, as well.

What are your immediate plans as FDCP chair?

To empower the regional film communities.

What’s your dream for Philippine cinema?

For it to thrive and be self-sustaining as a film industry. I also wish that there would be total unity—no more gap between mainstream and indie, theater owners and producers/filmmakers, local audience and indie films.

What is President Duterte’s directive to you as FDCP chair?

Corruption is prohibited.

What are some of the issues you’d like to discuss with the President on behalf of the LGBT community?

To support the LGBT antidiscrimination bill.

What’s your message to those bashing you as the new FDCP chair?

#Theresnoplaceforhate. Stop cyberbullying.

How do you and Aiza handle misunderstandings?

We always keep in mind that it doesn’t matter who is right; what’s important is how we can stay happy.

What’s the craziest thing that you and Aiza have done together?

Get into government (laughs)!  All our lives, we have been avoiding 9-to-5 jobs since we are art practitioners.

Tell us about your daughter and her relationship with Aiza.

Amara’s relationship with Aiza is like father-daughter.

What’s the sweetest thing that Aiza did for you?

Too many to mention.  But if I had to pick just one, the sweetest was his proposal.

If your love story with Aiza were to be made into a movie, what would the title be?

#Mayforever