Boots Anson-Rodrigo, Gina Alajar in the age of streaming: Don’t forget the cinema

(From left) Boots Anson-Rodrigo and Gina Alajar during the MMFF and MIFF contract signing. Images: Facebook/Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Official

While Boots Anson-Rodrigo and Gina Alajar are aware that Filipinos are turning to streaming, they hoped that the experience of watching films in a theater wouldn’t be forgotten.

Anson-Rodrigo and Alajar were present at the contract signing ceremony among the Movie Workers’ Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund)— a nonprofit organization for members of the entertainment industry— the MMFF, and Manila International Film Fest (MIFF), to celebrate the opening of the film festival’s 50th anniversary.

Aside from the annual MMFF, some of its activities include the Golden Gala on November 11 and “Sine Sigla sa Singkwenta” screenings, among many others.

“It’s really a big challenge,” Anson-Rodrigo told INQUIRER.net on the sidelines of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF)’s contract signing event when asked about the rise of streaming services.

Anson-Rodrigo, Mowelfund chairperson, said she understood the convenience of watching films on a streaming platform. However, she believes it should be a reminder to filmmakers to improve the quality and marketing of Filipino films.

“We want to thank MMFF and Cinemalaya, and all those who mount film festivals since they help in fostering the public’s reception of films. It’s okay to watch through streaming but I hope theater won’t be forgotten,” she said.

Mowelfund executives Boots Anson-Rodrigo (fourth from right), Gina Alajar (third from right), and executives from the Metro Manila Film Festival during a contract signing at a luxury hotel in Parañaque. Image: Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net

MMFF’s 50th year

As the MMFF will mark its 50th anniversary in December, Alajar is happy that the film festival reached filmgoers of many generations, and she was part of its legacy.

“I’m happy that it reached 50 years. When I was young, the MMFF was already there — and I was able to see it reach its 50th year. Mowelfund, too, has been around even when I was still young, and it’s still here. It’s so nice to see these milestones, and be able to celebrate it with the rest of the industry,” said the veteran actress-filmmaker.

Last year’s MMFF witnessed one of its entries “Rewind,” starring real-life couple Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes, setting a record as the highest-grossing Filipino film. With this in mind, Alajar hoped that this milestone would continue in the upcoming film festival and in the years to come.

“Let’s hope that we will be able to surpass this record from last year, because it would translate to more people returning to the cinemas. This means more funds for everyone and more moviegoers,” said Alajar, who serves as Mowelfund’s vice chairperson and treasurer.