‘Business as usual’ for FDCP after Tirso Cruz III resigns as chair

It’s “business as usual” for the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) amid the surprise resignation of Tirso Cruz III, who served as chair of the government agency for film for less than two years.

The FDCP Board of Trustees has since appointed the education head Rica Arevalo to be the officer-in-charge (OIC) until President Bongbong Marcos appoints a new chairman and CEO to replace the veteran star.

This was first confirmed to The STAR by FDCP technical consultant, filmmaker Jose Javier “Joey” Reyes, in a series of messages.

“Yes, he has resigned,” direk Joey said. “The successor is decided upon by the Palace.”

“Depending on the new appointment, our continued work in FDCP will be determined,” he added.

In a Facebook post by the FDCP yesterday, the national agency mentioned that last March 11, Tirso gathered the FDCP team for a general assembly during which he announced “with a heavy heart, his resignation from the agency after one year and seven months due to personal reasons.”

Former chair Tirso is pictured with the FDCP team and staff members. His successor has yet to be named.

“Since March 6, I am no longer the chairman of FDCP. I am just Tirso Cruz III, the actor,” he was quoted as saying.

The FDCP also expressed support for its former head’s “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,” it further stated.

This was also stressed by direk Joey, who said that projects for the first quarter of 2024, which were announced during a presscon last month, would push through as planned.

“Yes, business as usual for us. All plans are to continue with Rica Arevalo as OIC appointed by the Board of Trustees who will function as temporary head until a new chairman is appointed by the President,” direk Joey reiterated to The STAR.

Some of these initiatives include the Full Circle Lab Philippines, a project that started during the previous FDCP leadership, which is set to take place on March 18 to 24 in Clark, Pampanga. The film laboratory brings together Filipino and Southeast Asian filmmakers, as well as various professionals and resource speakers from all over the world, to help develop different kinds of film projects.

Some major works of young Filipino filmmakers were generated through the Full Circle Lab, such as the acclaimed “Leonor Will Never Die” by Martika Ramirez Escobar.

Happening this March is Cine Filipina, a curation of movies that celebrate women from both international and Philippine cinema at FDCP Cinematheque Centres nationwide.

In April, there will also be an Action Spotlight, retrospective for the notable works of a celebrated filmmaker.

FDCP will continue to stage its annual Parangal ng Sining come April 19 to honor outstanding contributions of Filipino actors, filmmakers and institutions. Among last year’s awardees were Soliman Cruz, Dolly de Leon and Vilma Santos. One of the 2024 honorees is the late film curator and archivist Teddy Co.

Another important project is the Student Film Assistance Program to help students complete their thesis films, via grants amounting to as much as P50,000.

This is apart from other film production and story development workshops meant to train aspiring filmmakers as well as film professionals. Early this year, they held workshops in the regions, particularly in West Visayas State University in Iloilo.

Direk Joey said during the last presscon unveiling their first-quarter projects, “We have limited funds given to us this year, so we have decided that a great amount of this will be for the training not only for students but eventually professionals and semi-professionals working in the industry.

“If you want to evolve and bring progress to the industry, please start with the students. If you want to upgrade the quality of the productions in the movie industry, we start helping the film workers. Bahagi lang ito, simula lang ito,” he added.

They also previously announced that FDCP was limiting its participation in film festivals and film markets abroad, and will just select the most important ones due to budget constraints.

Though they didn’t give the numbers, close to 30 percent for the whole budget of the year was cut down.

“Lahat ng budget ng cultural agencies nag-cut down, hindi lang naman kami. Everything is cut drastically,” direk Joey admitted.

Asked then if this meant that arts and culture was not a priority of the government, direk Joey said, “Yes and no. Yes, because may ibang areas na gustong pagtuunan ng pansin ng government.

“And no naman kasi may ibang tao sa gobyerno na tumutulong sa atin. (For example) SILG (Secretary of Interior and Local Government) Benhur Abalos, ang laki ng tulong na binibigay pagdating sa tax moratorium. Secondly, the First Lady (Liza Araneta Marcos), who promised to help us because the producers are already raising the white flag.”

Last month, the First Lady was seen with key industry players — producers, network executives and actors — in a meeting reportedly to discuss issues plaguing the film industry.