Coco boosts Lockdown Cinema Club’s initiative for low-income film workers

Coco Martin

Actor Coco Martin, well known for his philanthropic work, has donated half a million pesos in support for Lockdown Cinema Club’s aim to raise funds for low-income film workers affected by the temporary stoppage of film production, says filmmaker Paolo Villaluna.

Villaluna is the president of the Directors Guild of the Philippines Inc. (DGPI), one of the club’s major partners in the said activity.

The director says the article that was recently published in the Inquirer announcing the fundraising “has helped expose it to so many people, including Coco. It’s helping so many lives,” he declares.

For transparency, the funds collected and being distributed by Lockdown Cinema Club are posted online. “The public can see the actual names and beneficiaries. As of last week, more than 1,200 film workers have already received assistance. I believe the group is preparing for a second wave since the quarantine was extended,” he reports.

From left: Joey Reyes, Paolo Villaluna and Raymond Red of the Directors Guild of the Philippines Inc.

Quoting film producer Alemberg Ang, Lockdown Cinema Club representative, the fundraising has already helped 1,317 film workers as of April 17. “Only 183 beneficiaries, from the 1,500 quota, have yet to receive financial aid,” Vilalluna says.

The fundraising’s goal is to raise a minimum of P2 million for at least 1,000 low-income film workers affected by the ongoing enhanced community quarantine imposed by the government to help stop the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. As an incentive, donors will be able to watch some 50 films, both short and full-length features, by award-winning Filipino directors.