President Rodrigo Duterte was the guest of honor at the April 19 launch of Cine Lokal organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).
This event signaled the start of the partnership between the FDCP (headed by Chair and CEO Liza Diño) and SM Lifestyle Entertainment, Inc. (led by President Edgar Tejerero). They signed a three-year contract to formalize the partnership a few weeks ago.
The goal of Cine Lokal is two-fold: to provide independent filmmakers with a commercial venue for their films and to create a culture of support and viewership among Filipinos nationwide.
There are now eight dedicated SM Cinemas chosen to show FDCP-curated films: SM Megamall, SM North EDSA, SM Fairview, SM Iloilo, SM Southmall, SM Cebu, SM Bacoor, and SM Mall of Asia.
Award-winning, independent films will be featured at Cine Lokal. Among the movies initially scheduled to be shown as part of its "Salve Pelikula" program are Himala (Ishmael Bernal), Iadya Mo Kami (Mel Chionglo), Of Sinners and Saints (Ruben Soriquez) and Academy Awards 2015 Best Picture winner Spotlight.
During the event held at the SM Mall of Asia, the Philippine president gave an expletive-laden speech as he discussed a variety of topics for over an hour.
He began reading a prepared speech that he said was written in perfect English. However, he stopped reading and said that he wanted to talk about our country.
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FDCP chairman Liza Dino spearheaded the kick off event of Cine Lokal held at Cinema 1,SM Mall of Asia. She was accompanied by her husband Aiza Seguerra.
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President Duterte's speech at Cine Lokal lasted for an hour and 15 minutes. He talked about corruption and his war on drugs. He also tackled the proposed conferring of an honorary degree or honoris causa to him by the University of the Philippines.
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In her speech, Liza referred to Duterte as Tatay Digong and thanked him for showing his commitment to the development of the Philippine film industry.
CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓NOOD KA MUNA! -
"Corruption is out," declared President Duterte at the start of his speech. He revealed that he fired 96 government officials so far. "I did not make it public because I did not want [their family members] to add to the embarassment of being ousted from office and suffer the publicity of corruption." -
As his way of reacting to the controversial proposal of UP award him an honorary degree in line with tradition, President Duterte described his academic performance in his younger years and looked back on his colorful career as a politician.
"I am not a great man. I do not have the credentials. I am not even an honor student. I have always beenthe vicinity of 75 - 78 since Kindergarten. Hanggang diyan lang po ako. Kaya wala akong pinagyayabang except I was a prosecutor for 9 years, trial fiscal, then vice mayor and became the mayor for last 23 years sa Davao City. It's not that I am the cleanest guy, I have so many faults, plenty. But corruption is not one of them. Siguro babae o ano. When you are young...but I'm so old now. It's almost passe talking about it."
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"I am hellbent to stop drugs and corruption," vowed the President. Without mentioning names, he recalled an incident wherein he fired a close friend of his since 1988. He said about this former Cabinet member, "I got really pissed off coz he was lying. Nabasa ko yung report niya na galing sa legal officer niya mismo. Sabi ko bakit ka pumunta dun to sign to buy a fire truck worth P18 million? Putangina, anong klaseng sunog yan? We usually buy 7 or 8 million. That's the running price of a fire truck made in Japan. Gusto kong sampalin, e. Sabi ko na lang 'you're fired. Get out of this room. I don't need you." -
At one point, President Duterte even impersonated US President Donald Trump.
"When President Trump won, I called him and said, 'This is President Duterte. I would like to congratulate you on your victory. [He said] 'Oh yeah, I've been expecting your call. If you are in Washington, give me a call. Or if you are in New York, let's have coffee.' Besides you are doing it right. This goddamned son of a... in the corner...he named the country. I will not name the country. They are doing drugs there that are making Americans crazy. You are doing it right.
"Which is the best advice? The libertarian [Barrack] Obama or Trump? Of course, I agree with Trump because he agrees with me," said Digong, eliciting laughter from the audience.
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After attending the kick off of Cine Lokal, President Duterte attended the 80th birthday party of former President Joseph Estrada.
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Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) head Baby Arenas introduced President Duterte during the program.
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The opening ceremony involved the unveiling of the marker for Cine Lokal.
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Elizabeth Oropesa, a staunch supporter of President Duterte, was present at the Cine Lokal launch.
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FDCP head Liza Dino told PEP that she is awaiting news about the approval of President Duterte regarding the proposals that she submitted that will affect the movie industry.
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Allen Dizon stars in Iadya Mo Kami, one of the movies that opened Cine Lokal.
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Ping Medina
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Ricky Lee (left) and Bernardo Bernardo
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Polo Ravales and Althea Vega
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Mel Chionglo of Cinemalaya and Olivia Lamasan of Star Cinema
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Director Tikoy Aguiluz and Wilson Tieng of Solar
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Nerissa Picadizo (left) directs the Cinemalaya 2017 entry Requited that also stars Althea Vega
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The FDCP launched the Salve Pelikula film series, themed programming on faith-based films that will be screened starting April 21, 2017.CineLokal will feature the following films :
Spotlight (Best Picture 2015 Oscars)
Himala (Ishmael Bernal)
Of Sinners and Saints (Ruben Soriquez)
Iadya Mo Kami (Mel Chionglo).