FDCP chair Joey Reyes hopes for a golden future for Philippine cinema, arts

Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jose “Joey” Javier Reyes shared his hope for a golden future for Philippine cinema and arts at the launch of the 7th Ortigas Art Festival on Thursday, July 18.

During his talk at the launching event, the FDCP chairman underscored that the challenge for stakeholders is to bring back the faith of the Filipino audience in their fellowmen’s creations.

“Hopefully, this [golden future] is not just the job of the government; it is the job of all the stakeholders. What is more important now is to bring back the faith of the Filipino audience in the quality and variety of Filipino pieces,” he said.

Reyes stressed that it is important to have the right films and art pieces to show in order to attract, first, the local audiences and then the global ones.

“Development within the country rather than going global all at once. I’ve always felt that it is pointless to go to all these film festivals if we don’t have the right films to show. Films with quality that would not just reflect the Filipino but the greater society,” explained the CEO.

With the theme “Art for All: A Celebration of Borderless Artistic Expression,” the Ortigas Art Festival is putting the spotlight on more artists from all corners of the Philippines. This year, it presents a diverse lineup of creative disciplines for people of all ages, including visual arts, film, photography and dance.

The opening ceremony was attended by Ortigas Mall Vice President Renee Bacani, Angono Vice Mayor Gerardo Calderon, Pasig Councilor Angelu De Leon and other LGU members representing their respective jurisdictions.

Also gracing the event were Ortigas Art Festival lead curators and consultants Renato Habulan and Helen Mirasol; Dr. Dennis “Sio” Montera, the head of the National Commission for Culture and Arts’ (NCCA) National Committee on Visual Arts; and the artists representing the Philippines at the 15th Gwangju Biennale.

The Ortigas Art Festival will run from July 18 to Aug. 18 at the East Wing of Estancia Mall, Pasig City.