Re-electionist senator, Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr., met with the press recently to discuss various issues relating local show business, particularly the slump being felt by the movie industry as a whole.
As a film producer himself, Revilla maintained that now, more than ever, the need to create movies that are “artistically competitive” is a must.
“We shouldn’t just rely on streaming platforms,” he maintained, going on to highlight the need to entice people to return to cinemas.
He also suggested that the government at this point, should “adjust and find ways to keep local filmmaking viable by giving incentives to producers, especially the small, independent ones who find it difficult to have their films shown in mall cinemas.”
Meanwhile, when asked relating the controversial Eddie Garcia Law, Revilla said the industry is still adjusting to the same. He is hoping everyone would eventually get the hang of it as it is quite constructive – more than some may care to admit.
“It is for the industry as a whole and not for the workers alone,” he intoned. “Compliance is a must.”
About the proposal to expand MTRCB’s powers to include evaluation of online content, Revilla assented saying “It’s not right that we allow trash online especially when they go against our values and culture.”
As to clamor that the annual Metro Manila Film Festival be finally governed by industry people, Revilla expressed agreement as well, relating, “The film industry can take on the presentation but government funds can be used for the purpose.”
He’s thinking of an alternative film festival as organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).
Revilla is currently on the campaign trail.
According to the lawmaker, voters are quite supportive of his bid, as made obvious in the warm reception he receives wherever he goes.
He believes this is mainly due to the bills he authored, most of which have been made into laws, including the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act (RA 11997), the Expanded Centenarians Act (RA 11982), the Free College Entrance Examination Act (RA 12006), the No Permit, No Exam Policy Prohibition Act (RA 11984), and the Permanent Validity of the Certificates of Live Birth, Death, and Marriage Act (RA 11909), among others.
Asked if he still plans to continue producing shows or movies after the election, he said, “Public service has always been my priority, but if I have extra time and chance, I’d like to finish the film I had already started. I would also like to do another season of ‘Walang Matigas na Pulis sa Matinik na Misis.’ But it’s too early to make plans at this point. Let’s cross the bridge when we get there.”
