MTRCB Summit Highlights Contributions of Cebuano Films in Movie Industry
At least 552 students from various universities, colleges and high schools participated in the whole-day 6th Family and Child Summit, as Gov. Hilario P. Davide III thanked the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) for holding the activity at the Capitol Social Hall.
”I’m delighted not only because it brings honor and pride to Cebu but simply because I see this as a lightning rod to remind the Cebuanos, especially the younger generations, of our glorious past and our valuable contribution to the growth of the country’s film industry,” said Davide in his speech.
With the theme, “Cebu and its place in Philippine Cinema History,” the summit did not only impart on the proper television (TV) and movie shows for the family, but it also tackled the valuable contributions of Cebuano films in the industry.
“Ang highlights ng isang pamilya is to go to a movie, and since it is so accessible that you can watch a movie in your phone, in your tablet, ako sana ‘yung dream ko na bumalik ‘yung pamilyang Pilipino sa sinehan,” said MTCRB chairperson Maria Rachel Arenas.
Image source: http://www.cebu.gov.ph
She said this is why they go around the country, up to the grassroots level, to explain to parents and everyone the importance of movies and how the movie scenes would affect their children.
The summit also showed how Cebuano films developed almost simultaneously with the Manila films.
Davide said the heyday of Cebuano film saw the birth of the queen and king of Visayan movies, namely, Gloria Sevilla, who hails from Dumanjug, and Mat Ranillo Jr., respectively.
Sevilla was at the event, serving as the plenary speaker.
The governor said that he could still remember Sevilla’s classic movie, “Badlis sa Kinabuhi,” in 1969 that earned her a FAMAS (Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards) best actress award and was chosen as the best black and white film in the Asian Film Festival in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Image source: http://www.cebu.gov.ph
One of the highlights of the summit was the film showing of the Cebuano-made, Victor Villanueva-megged dark comedy film and Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) 2017 entry, “Patay na si Hesus.”
Patay na si Hesus is a multi-awarded film about food vendor Iyay (Jacyln Jose), a mother who learns of the death of her estranged husband Hesus, so she decides to drive to Dumaguete City from Cebu City with her apathetic children, Hubert (Vincent Viado), Judith Marie “Jude” (Chai Fonacier) and Jay (Melde Montañez) to join her.
The summit ended with an open forum, with Patay na si Jesus director Victor Villanueva, scriptwriter Fatrick Tabada, and actors Montañez and Viado as panelists.
“With this event, I’m optimistic that it will spike confidence and spark interest to our new breed of Cebuano directors and aspiring filmmakers to produce more movies in Cebuano,” said Davide.
To bridge MTRCB’s responsible viewing with the students was in line with Davide and Vice Gov Agnes A. Magpale’s administration’s thrust, which is education.
Education and technical vocational training is one of this administration’s Six-Key Development Agenda. The other key development agenda are health and social services; countryside development; environmental protection, climate change and disaster risk management; infrastructure development, tourism and investment promotion; and law and order. (CEBU PROV. GOV’T)
