FDCP chair Tirso Cruz on fixing industry-related problems: We’re always optimistic
FDCP chair Tirso Cruz III
“Our hands are tied,” said Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chair Tirso Cruz III as a way to explain why the agency “can only do so much” in relation to issues or problems referred to it, but are already out of its mandate.
Cruz said the FDCP has been consulted about industry-related labor problems, as well as how to best address the problems of the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP), which currently does not have an appointed leader.
Actress Vivian Velez, appointed FAP director general by the Duterte administration, resigned in July 2022.
“There are other cases that were referred to us. People approach us thinking that we could fix their problems. Sadly, we can only reply with, ‘Kung pupuwede lang.’ However, we are always optimistic. We’re hoping that sooner or later, somebody will pick this up,” Cruz told Inquirer Entertainment in a recent interview.
“We don’t want to cross that mandate because we are afraid that it will start a precedent,” said film-TV director Jose Javier Reyes, who is also an FDCP consultant. “We can’t deal with labor problems because this isn’t part of the agency’s responsibility. On the matter of the FAP, the problem is that nobody wants to take responsibility for this. Whoever will inherit it, you’ll be in my prayers.”
Exclusive access
Meanwhile, some 60 schools have already registered as members of the FDCP’s Academic Film Society (AFS) program shortly after it was launched in March, reported Cruz.
Educational institutions offering film, communication, visual arts or any related course programs are eligible. Members have exclusive access to FDCP programs, workshops and research materials. “I hope this is just a start. There is still so much work to be done,” said Reyes when asked for his reaction to the good news.
“The bigger picture here is the future of the Philippine movie industry. This is not just education of the kids, or being able to provide opportunities for them to learn abroad through film labs and festivals,” Cruz pointed out. “We are preparing to hand over the baton to the younger generation. We want to hone them today because we are presented with opportunities that weren’t available to us before.”
He continued: “The AFS was developed because we saw the need for it in the future. We’re talking about long-range planning here. We are working hard today because we can already see the end result in the future.”
When asked to share what they have envisioned, Reyes said: “Hopefully, there will be a collaboration among student filmmakers, not only those from Manila, but also from the regions. We hope that by the end of the year, we will have an enormous convention of film students coming over to Manila to interact with the professionals.”
Cruz added: “This industry has gone through a lot of trials, but like other industries, we are trying to make it work. All of us are working for improvements, but we can’t say just yet what all of these are. We don’t want to overreach.” INQ
