CALIFORNIA, USA — The Philippines is stepping into the global spotlight with a bold cinematic pitch: compelling stories, breathtaking locations, and world-class talent that are all wrapped in the warm, vibrant soul of Filipino creativity.
In an intimate gathering held at The Cavatina at The Sunset Marquis Hotel, First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos took the lead in reintroducing the Philippines as a dynamic stage for international filmmaking. Flanked by Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Trade Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, the First Lady welcomed an impressive lineup of Hollywood producers and creatives whose projects already hint at Filipino storylines and local collaborations.
The event, held on the sidelines of the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF), is part of the “Expanding The Bridge Initiative,” which seeks to reintroduce the Philippine film and entertainment industries by reconnecting with Hollywood ties.
The First Lady noted that with the support of the Hollywood filmmakers present, an Oscar for The Philippines may be realized soon.
“We travel a lot and people say ‘oh the Philippines is so beautiful’, like this and that, and why not we open the doors and let people film, right? For all of you who have been to Manila, it’s really is beautiful, right? And they don’t want to go back home after going to the Philippines,” the First Lady said.
Attendees included notable personalities such as American producer and four-time Emmy winner Lisa Lew; David Shim, producer of the Oscar-nominated movie “Parasite”; Filipino-American actor, martial artist, and television personality Mark Dacascos; and Filipino-American actress and singer Tia Carrere. Also among the A-listers were industry producers and executives, bestselling author Kevin Kwan, known for his successful “Crazy Rich Asians” trilogy, and American producer Lawrence Bender, whose films have garnered 36 Academy Award nominations, resulting in eight wins.
Secretary Frasco highlighted The Philippines’ stunning beaches, renowned for their unmatched beauty, and the country’s breathtaking landscapes and biodiversity. She pointed out the Filipinos’ strong English language skills as a significant benefit for filmmakers looking to choose The Philippines as their upcoming filming destination.
“The Philippines, with its archipelago of over 7,600 islands, is the perfect canvas for filmmaking, precisely because of the diversity of our destinations from our pristine beaches of Boracay, Palawan, Siquijor, Cebu, Camiguin, and so many more. To our lush landscapes in the northernmost part of the Philippines, Batanes, to the hinterlands of the country in Bukidnon in Mindanao, to our urbane cityscapes—from the historic walls of Intramuros in Metro Manila, to the bustling city of Cebu—there’s a wealth of destinations at which you can make your films.”
