Philippine Cinema @90

CEBU, Philippines - To salute the 90 years of Philippine Cinema, the Movie Workers Welfare Fund (MOWELFUND), the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) recently teamed up and successful presented Pinilakang Tabing: Handog sa Pelikulang Pilipino at the CCP Main Theater.

The well-attended gala musical fundraiser was meant to raise awareness and funds and help preserve our film heritage.

Written by Floy Quintos and directed by Chris Millado, the production conveyed the journey of Philippine cinema through songs and dances, tracing its history from the film adaption of the zarzuela Dalagang Bukid, to contemporary Indie Films.

The program was a wide array of musical numbers that ranged from a repertoire of love songs by Jessa Zaragoza, Dingdong Avanzado, Ciarra Sotto and Gian Magdangal, to the Pitong Gatang sa Kalisahan medley with JM Rodriguez, Carlo Orosa, Jake Macapagal, Tonipet Gaba and Arnold Reyes, to the amazing vocal fireworks by Dulce, Bituin Escalante and Mitch Valdes.

Aiza Seguerra and Mike Villegas came together in a searing acoustic performance of the classic Kahit Konting Pagtingin while Jolina Magdangal shared the stage with Ballet Philippines for their stand out rendition of Waray Waray, in a lowbrow-highbrow fusion of talents.

Even award-winning actors Cesar Montano and Philip Salvador – film stars better known for their acting than their musical prowess – belted out a few entertaining notes.

Joining the celebrities were the Hail Mary the Queen Children’s Choir, the Tanghalang Pilipino and the Philppine Philharmonic Orchestra.

Among the many guests were MOWELFUND Founding Chairman and former President Joseph Estrada was the night’s inspirational speaker, National Artist for Films Eddie Romero and MOWELFUND Executive Director Boots Anson Roa, as well as Senators Bong Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada.

It was a night not only of much merriment but hope – hope filled with optimism that our cinema is as alive as how Pinilakang Tabing has portrayed it to be, today and in the many years to come.