MANILA, Philippines - In what can be hailed as a truly momentous occasion, The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) in cooperation with the City Government of Davao inaugurated last June 29, the Davao Cinematheque, a 120-seater premier venue along Palma Gil street for showcasing the cinematic arts — Filipino film classics, indie releases, and acclaimed foreign films — and the first of its kind in the highly progressive southern city. FDCP chairman Briccio Santos in his welcome remarks said that the cinematheque symbolizes, “The lifetime commitment of the Philippine government to advance the cause of the Philippine motion-picture industry, to revive and energize it.”
Gracing the inaugural festivities as guests of honor were chairman Santos, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, Cannes Best Director Brillante Mendoza, Danilo Brocka, brother of National Artist for Film Lino Brocka, and French Ambassador to the Philippines Gilles Garachon. Apart from a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony and blessing, a “hand print” ceremony was also held, where the guests of honor laid their hands into clay for posterity and to forever immortalize their presence in the event.
The inauguration also saw the turnover of a working 35-mm projector, a generous donation from SM Cinemas, while a major highlight of the day was the unveiling of the seven-foot statue of Lino Brocka fashioned by sculptor Jonas Roces. The statue was commissioned to recognize Brocka’s numerous artistic contributions in field of cinema, having created such renowned works as Maynila sa Kuko ng Liwanag, Jaguar, Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim, among others. In his very touching remarks on behalf of his family, Danilo relayed his sincerest appreciation and expressed joy and pride that the memory of his brother is kept alive many years after his untimely passing.
Other guests were Monika Kardova and David Kazda, councilor and Attaché respectively of the Czech Embassy in the Philippines; Christian Merer, Cultural Attaché of the French Embassy in the Philippines; Sabrina Baracetti of the Udine Asia Pacific Film Festival and Kim Ji-Seok of the Busan Int’l. Film Festival