New FDCP chair Joey Reyes stresses need to preserve local cinema

Film Development Council of the Philippines chairman and CEO Joey Reyes. Image: Facebook/Film Development Council of the Philippines

As the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) honored filmmakers and unsung heroes at the 2024 Gabi ng Parangal, its newly-appointed chairman and CEO, director Jose “Joey” Javier Reyes underscored the need for “originality” and “support” to boost local cinema.

Reyes, who brings four decades of experience, emphasized the need for filmmakers to be “original” in promoting the rise of the local film industry. “One thing that is worth emphasizing is that we have to be original,” the newly minted chair told reporters at the Seda Vertis North in Quezon City last April 19, hours before the award ceremony began.

READ: FDCP to honor Jaclyn Jose, Gloria Romero, Boots Anson-Rodrigo

“At this point, hindi ko na iniisip ang project ko. Iniisip ko ang projects na pwede nilang gawin ng mga producers. At this point, I have to sit back and open the chances to everybody,” Reyes continued.

(At this point, I don’t think about my projects anymore. I’m thinking about the projects that producers can do. At this point, I have to sit back and open the chances to everybody.)

Reyes reiterated that as long as “copying” is rampant in the industry, filmmakers “will never be original” while making an apparent reference to the line of the late Cherie Gil in the 1985 movie “Bituing Walang Ningning.”

“Tinatanong niyo kung ano ang importante? Ang importante ay [maging] original (You’re asking me what’s important? What’s important is to be original),” said Reyes. “As long as we keep copying, we will never be original. We will be nothing but second-rate, trying-hard, copycat. We have to be original and we have to be Filipino.”

Reyes, who said in his opening speech that he prefers to be called “Direk Joey” instead of “chair,” also called for Filipinos to develop an appreciation for local cinema as well.

“Kailangang ma-appreciate muna ng mga Pilipino ang Filipino movies bago ang mga banyaga,” he said. (Filipinos need to appreciate Filipino movies before international movies.)

WATCH: Andi Eigenmann was emotional as she accepted the Honorary Tribute on behalf of her mother, the late screen veteran Jaclyn Jose, at the FDCP-helmed Parangal ng Sining 2024. | @HMallorcaINQ pic.twitter.com/laQ79hxE7h

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) April 19, 2024

Local cinema as culture

Beyond the glamor of movies are the unsung heroes in ensuring that it will remain a crucial archive of Filipino culture.

One of these feats was reflected in the acceptance speech of ABS-CBN Film Restoration or Sagip Pelikula head Leo Katigbak, who pointed out that not everyone would see the benefits of the organization at a glance, but its contribution will remain timeless.

“Ang ginagawa namin sa Sagip Pelikula is a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. Medyo unsung hero ang Sagip Pelikula eh… Hindi naman nakikita ng mga benepisyong nadadala. But when people are entertained, d’un namin nakukuha ang aming reward,” Katigbak added, referring to the organizations to maintain the archives of classic Filipino films.

(What we do in Sagip Pelikula is a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. Sagip Pelikula is some sort of an unsung hero. Not many will see the benefits of the organization. But when people are entertained, that’s when we get our reward.)

Awarded with Lifetime Achievement Awards were Boots Anson-Rodrigo for her work with the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund), Dr. Nicanor Tiongson, Dr. Doy Del Mundo, Armando Lao, Rose Roque, Society of Filipino Archivists for Film (SOFIA), ABS-CBN Film Restoration Sagip Pelikula, and Gloria Romero — whose award was accepted by Butch Francisco on her behalf.

(From left) Andi Eigenmann and filmmaker Joey Reyes at the Film Development Council of the Philippines’ Parangal ng Sining 2024. Image: Facebook/Film Development Council of the Philippines

The late filmmaker Teddy Co was bestowed with the Posthumous Award, while an emotional Andi Eigenmann accepted the Honorary Distinction for her late mother, screen veteran Jaclyn Jose.

“Masaya akong tumatayo para tanggapin ang parangal na ito para sa kanya,” a tearful Eigenmann said in her speech. “Ako ay pinagpala na lumaki sa mga kamay ng isang napakagaling na actress na ibinibigay ang buong puso, buhay, at kaluluwa sa paggawa ng pelikula.”

(I’m happy to stand and accept this award for her. I’m blessed to have grown up in the care of a great actress who gave her heart, life, and soul to filmmaking.)

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