JC Santos (left) and Alessandra de Rossi in “Sakaling Hindi Makarating”
Recognizing the power and potential of cinema in showcasing the country’s natural treasures, the government feted 10 Filipino movies at the first Cine Turismo Awards held at the Diamond Hotel recently.
The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), an attached agency of the Department of Tourism, chose nine independently produced movies and one studio production as the honorees in the inaugural batch.
The Cine Turismo awardees include films produced in the last two years: Ice Idanan’s “Sakaling Hindi Makarating” (which was shot in Zamboanga, Siquijor, Marinduque, Ilocos Norte and Batanes), Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil’s “Lakbay2Love” (Timberland Heights and Benguet), Zig Dulay’s “Paglipay” (Zambales), Irene Villamor’s “Camp Sawi” (Bantayan Island), Victor Kaiba Villanueva’s “Patay na si Hesus” (Cebu and Dumaguete), Mario Cornejo and Monster Jimenez’s “Apocalypse Child” (Baler), Paul Soriano’s “Siargao” (Siargao), Bona Fajardo’s “I Found My Heart in Santa Fe” (Santa Fe, Cebu), Nerissa Picadizo’s “Requited” (Mount Pinatubo) and Thop Nazareno’s “Kiko Boksingero” (Baguio).
Two South Korean films were also cited: Lee Soo-sung’s “Mango Tree” (Cebu) and Kang Cheol-woo’s “Romantic Island” (Boracay).
Cesar Montano
These films were honored not only for highlighting a tourist destination, but also for “promoting and preserving” local culture, celebrating such “Filipino values as resilience, hospitality, patriotism and the bayanihan spirit.”
Idanan told the Inquirer: “It’s encouraging to know that the government recognizes the need for us to tell more stories about our country and its beauty. I am inspired to make more films about the Philippines.”
In her film, Idanan made sure to train her camera to “lesser-known” destinations. “I’ve been to those places, which are difficult to reach and are seldom visited by travelers.”
Marfil recounted that her film was originally envisioned as her contribution to the ongoing discussion on climate change, in the aftermath of Supertyphoons “Ondoy” and “Yolanda.”
From left: Jaclyn Jose, Melde Montañez and Chai Fonacier in “Patay na si Hesus”
“My intention was to make the youth fall in love with nature again,” Marfil remarked. “I was not thinking of tourism then, but it has become an unintentional benefit.”
Villanueva related that he makes it a point to underscore the scenic splendor and precious traditions of his hometown, Cebu, in his work. “Ever since my film was shown, I’ve been getting messages and tweets from people who were motivated to take their own road trip from Cebu to Dumaguete—to try and relive the wonderful experience they had in the film.”
He asserted: “I want to encourage more people to visit Cebu and make my fellow Cebuanos proud.”
Actor-director Cesar Montano, chief operating officer of the TPB, recalled how the 2014 indie hit, “That Thing Called Tadhana,” inspired a slew of local tourists to embark on “a pilgrimage to the sites featured in the film: Session Road (Baguio), the Bencab Museum (Benguet), Gaia Café and Kiltepan Peak (Sagada) and the Banaue Rice Terraces (Ifugao).”
“Lakbay2Love”
Wanda Teo, Tourism secretary, described movies as “powerful, immersive tools … that have been effective in displaying our culture … and the many rich wonders our country can boast to the world.”
Apart from providing livelihood to the locals, films can “help bring awareness to advocacy campaigns geared toward sustainable practices in tourism.”
In a related development, Montano reported that the Film Tourism Bill—which is sponsored by Sen. Grace Poe and introduced by Sen. Sonny Angara—has been gaining support from different sectors.
Montano said: “We’ve seen how movies have roused interest in and boosted tourism in various provinces. We hope more filmmakers will become active partners in shaping a positive perception of the country through cinema.”