For the first time ever, 10 Philippine movies are being shown simultaneously in Hollywood. All 10 entries in the recent Metro Manila Film Festival are being screened from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2 at the TCL Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard, for the inaugural Manila International Film Festival. A separate awarding ceremony will be held to cap the festival. The cast, crew and producers of the movies are attending the MIFF along with officials of film fest organizer Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Philippine movie industry.
This is a welcome development in an industry that deserves more support from the government and other sectors. There’s a common saying in this country that the Philippines was shaped by 300 years in the convent and 50 years in Hollywood – a reference to the years under Spanish colonial rule followed by the US occupation. Considering Filipinos’ love for the movies, the local film industry should have been developed sufficiently and prepared for the globalization of entertainment.
Instead, as in many aspects of life, the country is a late bloomer in film development and related industries. Other countries have sprinted past the Philippines in going international with their movies. The Indians have Bollywood; Nigerians have Nollywood. Several countries such as New Zealand and China have also positioned themselves as hubs for movie production.
The biggest global phenomenon so far has been Hallyu, the Korean wave, which has earned billions for South Korea for exporting its culture, from movies to TV shows to K-pop music and cuisine. A movie entirely in the Korean language, “Parasite,” made history as the first foreign-language film to win Oscar awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best International Film and Best Original Screenplay. K-pop boy band BTS has been nominated for Grammy awards, and has spawned a slew of Filipino copycats. K-pop group Blackpink was named 2022 Entertainer of the Year by Time Magazine.
Players in the Philippine entertainment industry have pointed to the considerable support given by the Korean government to its entertainers, who are regarded as cultural ambassadors. South Korea is reaping its reward through the billions in revenues generated by its entertainment industry. The Philippines can find inspiration from the Koreans in supporting entertainers. The film festival in Hollywood is a promising step.