Ogie Diaz on saving local film industry: Move movie premieres to weekend

MANILA, Philippines — Talent manager and comedian Ogie Diaz has made a suggestion on how to save local movie industry after it was declared “in dire situation” by critically acclaimed director Erik Matti.

“Suggestion ko lang sana ilipat ng weekend ang first day of showing, hindi Wednesday kasi Wednesday nasa school, nasa office. Wala namang manonood talaga,” Diaz said in an episode of DZMM’s “OMJ” over the weekend.

Diaz’s suggestion came after Matti expressed concern about the film industry as recent local film releases were met with low box office turnout.

READ: Erik Matti: Film industry in ‘dire situation’ after low box office sales

The comedian-actor also lamented how cinema owners replace local films immediately when it has low turnout after the first day of showing.

“Ang nakakalungkot, first day of showing, kapag pinalabas tapos ilan ang tao sa sinehan? Anim. Pagdating ng kinabukasan ay wala na iyong pelikula kasi pinalitan na,” he said.

“Babagsak talaga iyang mga sinehan kung mismong mga theater owners ang hindi tumulong para manghikayat na manuod ng mga lokal na pelikula,” he added. /je