Controversial blogger and staunch administration supporter Mocha Uson has been officially chosen as the ambassador of this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
At a press conference in Malacanang, Uson said she would use the power of social media to persuade people to support the festival.
The former sexy star claimed that past governments failed to support the Filipino movie industry. She said now is the time to bring glory to the Filipino cinema, adding that the present government is supportive of the industry.
“We need to patronize our own films being shown in the MMFF, and I will help this cause through social media and other ways with the aim of drumming up support of our fellow Filipinos,” she said in Filipino.
The 34-year-old singer-actress also pointed out that while differences in opinion abound in social media, there is a strong need for unity to achieve success.
“Natural lang po na magkaroon ng bangayan sa social media padating sa ibat-ibang issue at opinyon natin, ngunit pagdating po sa pagtulong sa ating bayan dapat po tayong magkaisa (It’s natural to have different opinions in social media on various issues, but when it comes to helping the nation, we should all be united),” the new MMFF ambassador said.
Uson also said that Metropolitan Manila Development Authority General Manager Thomas “Tim” Orbos himself had reached out to her and asked her support for the MMFF.
She claimed that the Filipino film industry had been surpassed by those of other countries. She said the aim of the MMFF is to elevate the quality of local films that “we can hold up with pride to other nations.”
Uttering the mantra of the present administration and its supporters, Uson claimed that change has now come to the Filipino film industry.
Uson has drawn support from millions of social media users who are avid supporters of President Duterte.
At the same time, the singer-actress has drawn flak after being hired as a columnist for a national daily. Critics claimed she lacked intellectual qualification and credibility.
This time, Uson is facing yet another wave of criticisms for her new appointment as MMFF ambassador. Clarizel Abanilla