GMA wants local cinema to go global

Everytime President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo travels abroad on official functions, she makes it a point to include a representative from the movie industry in her entourage.

That’s because the President is keen on discussing with other world leaders the possibility of opening new markets for Philippine films.

One of the people she usually brings along is Vic del Rosario, head honcho of the Viva Entertainment Group.

"It was the President herself who requested that the producers like me accompany her. It shows her enthusiasm for promoting Filipino movies in the countries she visits," del Rosario says.

Viva’s boss was with Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo during her state visit to Indonesia last year. There, del Rosario had the chance to touch base with top Indonesian movie and TV producers and video company executives.

"We discussed possibilities of strengthening the distribution network in Indonesia for Tagalog films and videos. The talks were fruitful. And President Arroyo made it happen," del Rosario says.

He also joined the President on trips to Japan, Malaysia and other Asian countries.

Filipino films used to be a dominant influence in the Malaysian region. Sadly, it’s neighbors, particularly Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia have crowded the Philippines off the stage.

An avid Tagalog movie fan, Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo has taken it upon herself to re-establish the Philippines’ hold in Asian cinema.

She has intensified the crackdown on video piracy, established the Cinema Evaluation Board, and reduced the amusement tax that has long burdened the film community.

One of her pet projects is a mini-cultural center in every province.

The President plans to constantly dialogue with the leaders of the movie industry, the film producers, the actors and other sectors of showbiz to sound them out and to listen to their suggestions.

"We can talk things over. Let’s have an authoritative study. For example, let’s find out how the movie industry in other countries operate, what makes them successful. We can pick up pointers from them, apply successful systems here," she says. "We have to do this so we won’t be left behind."