JERRY OLEA
Nagpa-mediacon ang Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) noong Pebrero 15, 2024, sa Pandan Asian Cafe, Sct. Limbaga St., Quezon City.
Pinangunahan iyon ng chairman ng FDCP na si Tirso Cruz III, at ng technical consultant ng konseho na si Direk Jose Javier Reyes.
Bahagi ng pasakalye ng 71-anyos na si Chair Tirso, “Kailan ba yung huli tayong nagkausap? Nung Philippine Film Industry Month. Di ba, sometime in September.
“Dinaanan tayo ng Pasko at Bagong Taon, at ngayon, February na, magsisimula naman po tayo.
“We’d like to present to you ang aming mga plano ni Direk Joey for our first quarter, programs and plans ng FDCP.”
Inilatag nina Chair Tirso at Direk Joey ang mga proyekto ng FDCP hanggang Abril.
Sabi pa ni Chair Tirso, “We’d like to present to you, ang ating conference, ang mga agenda po ng FDCP for the first quarter.
“Magsimula po tayo sa first quarter dahil hindi naman po namin puwedeng ilatag yung buong taon sa inyo. Masyado kayong mapupuno.
“Mas gusto po namin yung unti-unti yung paglalatag ng aming mga proyekto para maging mas maliwanag at smooth ang pagtakbo po nito.”
Read: FDCP officials Tirso Cruz III, Joey Reyes react to separate awards night of MIFF
Matapos ang open forum ay nagpaiwan pa kami ng mga katotong Allan Diones at Mell Navarro para sa iba pang tsika with Chair Tirso at Direk Joey.
Naibalita ni Chair Tirso na dalawang serye ang nakatakda niyang gawin.
Una, The Bagman with Arjo Atayde, Judy Ann Santos, and John Arcilla.
At ikalawa, Pamilya Sagrado with Piolo Pascual, Grae Fernandez, Kyle Echarri, John Arcilla, at marami pang iba.
Kaya inihabilin na muna ni Chair Tirso kay Direk Joey ang pag-oversee sa projects ng FDCP habang busy siya sa acting jobs.
Si Direk Joey naman ay pahinga raw muna sa pagdidirek sa Vivamax, kaya keri niyang saluhin pansamantala iyong ibang responsibilidad ni Chair Tirso.
Noong isang araw ay naibalita rito sa PEP.ph ang pagre-resign ni Tirso bilang chairman ng FDCP.
Read: Tirso Cruz III resigns as FDCP chairman
Ngayong Marso 14, Huwebes ng tanghali, ay ipinost ng FDCP sa kanilang Facebook page, “On March 11, former Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chairman and CEO Tirso Cruz III gathered everyone for a general assembly.
“With a heavy heart, he shared his resignation from the agency after one year and seven months due to personal reasons.
“‘Since March 6, I am no longer the Chairman of FDCP. I am just Tirso Cruz III, the actor,’ he stated.
“The FDCP Board of Trustees has appointed Education Head Ms. Rica Arevalo to be the Officer-In-Charge until the President appoints a new Chairman and CEO.
“The FDCP is supportive of his decision to continue his passion for excellence in his chosen craft.
“Chair Tirso’s invaluable service to the Philippine Film Industry is remarkable. The FDCP will continue to implement its activities and existing programs in support of the Philippine Film Industry.
“Mabuhay ang Pilipinas, Mabuhay ang Pelikulang Pilipino!”
Makalipas ang anim na oras ay ipinost naman ng FDCP sa FB ang official statement ng former FDCP Chairman and CEO Tirso Cruz III kaugnay sa kanyang resignation.
Ani Tirso, “I am immensely grateful to President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., for entrusting me the position of FDCP Chairperson since 2022 and allowing me the chance to serve and give back to the industry.
“During the last nineteen months, we managed to increase the financial support to our various stakeholders — from producers, directors, film workers, and students, to the film labs, workshops, and film festival assistance.
“We have continued partnerships with film exhibitors, institutions, festivals, and embassies to bring Philippine cinema to the world and the local audience back to the cinemas.
“All of these would not have been possible without the members of the council, the efficient employees of the FDCP, the consultants, the legislators, the local and national officials of government, and the First Lady. I shall always be grateful to all of you.
“This is not the end. I may no longer be the Chairperson, but I will always be a part of the FDCP. I will continue to support the Philippine Film Industry as an actor and as a private citizen.
“Mabuhay ang Pelikulang Pilipino!”
GORGY RULA
Nagkaisyu pa noon bago umupo si Tirso bilang chairman at CEO ng FDCP.
In-extend kasi ni Presidente Rodrigo Roa-Duterte ang termino ni Liza Diño-Seguerra bilang head ng FDCP, pero dahil co-terminus sa Presidente ang posisyon ng FDCP chair, bumaba sa puwesto si Liza.
Read: Tirso Cruz III, itinalaga bilang bagong FDCP chairperson sa kabila ng reappointment ni Liza Diño
Ang ending, iiwan din pala ni Tirso ang pagiging FDCP chairman.
Inaabangan natin kung sino ang ia-appoint bilang bagong director general ng Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP). Iyon pala, mabubulaga tayo sa pagre-resign ni Tirso sa FDCP.
Kabilang si First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos sa mga pinasalamatan ni Tirso.
Sa mediacon ng FDCP noong Pebrero 15, nabanggit ni Tirso na handang tumulong ang Unang Ginang upang malutas o mapagaan ang ilang problema ng local movie industry.
Ang sabi nga ni Direk Joey, “May ibang mga tao sa gobyerno na tumutulong din sa amin. I mean, I’ll give an example, OK.
“Si SILG Benhur Abalos, ang laki ng tulong na ibinibigay pagdating sa paghingi namin ng tax moratorium.
“At ikalawa, the First Lady, OK, who promised to help us, OK, because yung mga producers are already raising the white flag, OK, at the rate things are going.”
Maaalalang nakipagmiting ang First Lady sa movie producers.
Dagdag ni Tirso, “Very hopeful yung meeting namin kay First Lady. Sabi nga niya, ‘Make a list kung ano talaga yung mga priorities na problema ninyo na nakikita ninyo. Make a list and then, we will meet again.’
“Dahil kamakailan lang yung… a couple of weeks back lang na nag-meet kami.
“Sabi niya, ‘After this meeting, we’ll meet again next month, and gusto kong ilatag ninyong lahat yan. Ibigay ninyo sa akin lahat, and I will see what I can do to help you,’ sabi niya.”
Bakit ang First Lady? Ano ang function niya sa culture?
Paliwanag ni Direk Joey, “I think nag-reach out sa kanya ang isa sa mga producers who are close to Malacañang.
“And then the First Lady said, ‘Sige, let’s sit down and see your problems.’ So it’s actually the producers who reached out to her.
“And then when she sat down, I wasn’t there, no, but then Chair was there.
“She said, ‘Can you give me the list of problems and let me see what areas I can help.’
“And there are certain areas with which she can help. OK, she can help, most especially if it involves the office of the President, OK, in terms of tax incentives et cetera. OK.”
NOEL FERRER
Si Rica Arevalo ang tagahalili muna bilang pinaka-senior sa mga department heads ng FDCP ngayon.
Pero pinagsumite rin si Chairman Pip ng kanyang rekomendasyon para sa hahalili sa kanyang position — at isa na roon si Direk Joey Reyes.
Hintayin na lang natin ang desisyon ng Malacañang kung sino ang hihiranging susunod na FDCP chair.
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