FILE PHOTO: Senator Grace Poe during a plenary discussion on Wednesday, February 22, 2023. – Poe said Thursday, February 23, that Filipino-made movies can dispel any negative claims about the Philippines. (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — The country has movies that can dispel negative claims about the Philippines, Senator Grace Poe said Thursday.
Poe, daughter of the late actor Fernando Poe Jr. or FPJ who is fondly known as the “King of Philippine movies,” issued the remark as the Senate committee on public information and mass media, which she formerly chaired, held discussions on the movie “Plane” which stars Scottish actor and film producer Gerard Butler.
Senator Robin Padilla, the panel’s current chairperson, earlier sought to ban the American action thriller movie, believing that it tarnishes the image of the Philippines.
READ: Robin Padilla seeks MTRCB ban, condemnation of Gerard Butler movie ‘Plane’
“Kung matatandaan ninyo, siguro si FPJ (Fernando Poe Jr.) ang may pinakamaraming pelikulang nagawa tungkol sa kagandahan at kagalingan ng ating mga kapatid sa Mindanao,” Poe said.
(If you recall, maybe FPJ has the most films made about the beauty and excellence of people in Mindanao.)
READ: On FPJ’s 82nd birthday, Poe recalls ‘Da King’s’ ‘unwavering spirit’ to aid poor and helpless
“‘Pag may mga sinasabing mga ganito tungkol sa Mindanao, meron naman tayong mga pantapat diyan… So, may mga pantapat din na mga pelikula that will dispel those claims of other movies,” she added.
(If there are bad claims about Mindanao, we have movies to counter those. We have films that will dispel those claims of other movies.)
Poe also suggested that local filmmakers should create a movie about the bravery of the country’s soldiers.
“Balanse lang ‘yan. Kung sino ‘yung gumawa ng pelikulang gan’un, ‘yun ang expression niya. Kaya rin nating gumawa ng pelikula na ipakita naman natin ang galing ng ating mga kawal,” she said.
(It’s just balance. Whoever did that film, that is his expression. We can also make a movie showing the bravery of our soldiers.)
Padilla noted that Poe’s recommendation is good. He then likewise suggested that local filmmakers should create a movie showing how “useless” American soldiers and their government are.
“Gawan naman po natin ng pelikula ang mga sundalong Amerikano na sila naman po ay walang kakwenta-kwenta,” he said.
(Let’s also make a movie about American soldiers who are useless.)
“Gawan din natin ng pelikula ang gobyerno nilang walang kakwenta-kwenta rin para ‘yan naman po ang ating Constitutional right,” he continued.
(Let’s also make a movie about their government that is likewise useless because that is our Constitutional right.)
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, which was also formerly chaired by Poe, has pledged to reevaluate “Plane” following Padilla’s call to ban it for allegedly putting the Philippines in a bad light.
READ: MTRCB to reevaluate ‘Plane’ movie after senators’ uproar