Mowelfund celebrates 42 years of service

MANILA, Philippines - For the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund), life began in 1974 when former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada, assisted by legal and film luminaries, constituted the foundation’s mandate of health, welfare and film education programs for the film industry’s marginalized workers. The private, non-stock and non-profit institution has since served an accumulated number of almost 5,000 beneficiaries, representing a cross-section of the Philippine movie industry’s underserved and needy workers.

For annual membership dues, only recently increased to P500, the beneficiaries’ general welfare benefits total more than P60,000 worth per year, broken into medical reimbursements, hospitalization, surgery and death benefits. Livelihood and skills training are occasionally conducted. A low-cost housing project which has been under study for five years now is underway.

Mowelfund has been a partner and beneficiary of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) since the latter’s institution by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 1459 in July, 1975. The Proclamation established the Metropolitan Film Festival covering the Greater Manila Area and its local government units. The festival would be executed and managed by an executive committee composed of heads of related government agencies and film organizations. Proceeds from amusement taxes collected by LGUs during the festival period would be donated solely to Mowelfund.

Through Mowelfund’s 42 years of partnership with the MMFF as beneficiary, the shares of proceeds from net of amusement taxes, during the festival period, have fluctuated from a high of 100 percent to a low of 20 percent, as promulgated by Malacañang. Under the present dispensation, Mowelfund receives 50 percent of net of amusement taxes, distributed accordingly by the MMFF. The commensurate amount subsidizes 70 to 80 percent of Mowelfund’s annual operational cost. Mowelfund outsources the balance through cost cutting, direct solicitation and fundraising events like celebrity sports, marathons, garage sales, museum tours and film seminars, workshops and film screenings, the latter through its education arm, Mowelfund Film Institute.

Mowelfund’s 42nd anniversary will be celebrated on March 19 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Mowelfund Plaza at 66 Rosario Drive, Brgy. Immaculate Conception, Cubao, Quezon City. The afternoon’s general membership assembly and program comprise a Thanksgiving Mass; an annual report to the beneficiaries; group dynamics; free medical services to include dental and eye check-ups. Diagnostics and dispensation of medicines cap the health-based activities. Gift-giving by our founding chairman Joseph Estrada; give-aways, raffle and prizes provide the fellowship for the afternoon’s program. This year, Mowelfund will pay a special tribute to our late partner and benefactor, German “Kuya Germs” Moreno.

Meanwhile, APT’s noontime teleserye on GMA 7, Princess In the Palace (PITP), hosts an educational and fun program that will consist of merienda, science and art demos, children’s games, gift-giving and prizes galore. Stars of PITP, headed by Ryzza Mae Dizon, Eula Valdez, Christian Vasquez, Ciara Sotto, Aiza Seguerra, Mark Abaya, Joey Paras, Ces Quesada and Boots Anson Roa, have been invited to grace the occasion.

Mowelfund founder Joseph Estrada, chairman Marichu Vera-Perez Maceda, president Boots Anson-Roa and board members Fr. Larry Faraon, director Boy Vinarao, Rez Cortez,  Jaime “Jim” Baltazar and vice president Julius Topacio express appreciation for the management and staff and the foundation’s sponsors and supporters who have constantly helped sustain Mowelfunds programs.

Mowelfund’s major benefactors include Antonio Tuviera, Jim Baltazar of CMB, McDonald’s, Unilever, Universal Robina Corp., Columbia Foods, Gardenia, Psalms Catering, Jo Mari Chan, Susan Roces, Sen. Grace Poe, Vic Sotto, Gov. Vilma Santos, San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez, Q.C. Mayor Herbert Bautista and MMDA.