Brillante for Pasig River

MANILA, Philippines - After bringing glory to the country with his critically-acclaimed films, director Brillante Mendoza uses his genius to help bring back life to a dying national treasure — the Pasig River.

The 2009 Cannes Film Festival Best Director is directing infomercials for Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig (KBPIP), the seven-year clean-up campaign of ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. and the Department of Environment and National Resources through the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC).

The infomercials, which aim to raise awareness and inspire action for the environment, feature celebrities like Karen Davila, Zaijan “Santino” Jaranilla, Kim Atienza, Coco Martin and Mendoza himself.

The celebrities are shot speaking about the right values and attitude towards the environment while immersed in the crowded and filthy community along Estero de Paco, one of the main sources of pollutants of the Pasig River.

“The project is to let the people become aware on what’s going on and how worst the situation is. Kasi naniniwala ako kahit ano pang gawin mo diyang paglilinis kung hindi mababago yung pagtingin ng mga tao sa kalikasan, hindi magiging successful yung project,” Mendoza said.

The filmmaker said this is also the chance to show people that the Pasig River is not a lost cause. “I was hoping to show yung resulta na may nangyayari na, na feasible pala. Through KBPIP may nalinis nang mga estero, nawala ang mga basura at nailipat ang maraming informal settlers. In other words, if we unite to help the environment, we will have a better life,” Mendoza explained.

Fresh from receiving awards from the 24th Fribourg International Film Festival and the 11th Las Palmas de Gran Canaria International Film Festival for his film Lola, Mendoza shared that he has long been in talks with AFI managing director Gina Lopez for a project on the Pasig River.

Everything went into place last year when the Asian Development Bank gave a grant of $50,000 for the information drive of KBPIP with Manila Water to support the Pasig River Catchment Sewerage Project.

 Aside from producing the infomercials, which will be shown on ABS-CBN platforms, KBPIP will also come out with a magazine and a children’s storybook on proper waste management and other tips in caring for the environment using the grant.

Mendoza said the project won’t also be his last for the environment, “I think for as long as the foundation (AFI) needs my services, hangga’t kaya ko, I will be a part of it.”