Film industry rally behind MMDA head, mayors

MANILA, Philippines - Various movie organizations have rallied behind Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino after getting some criticisms from some quarters for the 39th Metro Manila Film Festival.

The pledge of support signed by the heads of various movie organizations states that the film industry is grateful to the Metro Manila mayors, who, through the initiative of MMDA, have been generously waiving the amusement taxes during the 10-day festival period in favor of the MMFF to raise funds for its beneficiaries.

"The support from the majority of the movie industry is a welcome relief from all the criticisms MMFF have been getting.  I am thankful for their trust," Tolentino, who concurrently heads the MMFF, said.

Among the signatories to the pledge of support include Marichu Maceda, Chairman of the Board of the Movie Workers Welfare Fund; Orly Ilacad, President of the Philippine Motion Pictures Producers Association; Wilson Tieng, President of the Motion Producers and Distributors Association of the Philippines; Leonardo Monteverde, Chairman of the Motion Picture Anti-Film Piracy Council; Ronnie Ricketts, Chairman of the Optical Media Board; and Rolando Dueñas, Vice President – External of the National Cinema Association of the Philippines.

"We are truly grateful to the Metro Manila mayors whose support has made the successful conduct of the festival possible for the past 39 years," the manifesto said.