Good leadership is infectious.

In general, we need an inspiring leader. A leader who inspires better leadership all over the country. A leader who inspires hope. It is easy to feel hopeless now. We need a leader who can bring us back to hope. We need to be reassured. We need to be confident in that assurance.

In particular, because I come from the film sector that is hardly hit by the pandemic, I hope for a leader who champions Filipino arts and artistry, who sees Filipino cinema not just mere entertainment but recognizes that it can shape our culture and identity.

Pandemic or no pandemic, however, we need a supportive cinema policy that will promote and protect our creative culture and industry. Our industry is among the heavily taxed entertainment industries in Asia. Heavy amusement tax on local films is slowly killing us. Tuloy, pamahal nang pamahal ang presyo ng isang movie ticket. Paano maeengganyo ang mga Pilipinong manood ng sine kung ang mahal na manood ng sine?

Nakakalungkot na madalas ay kailangang makipaglaban ng Filipino titles over Hollywood films sa bilang ng mga sinehan, at madalas din, talo ang Filipino films. There is no question about the Filipino artists’ talent. Kailangan natin ng lider na tataya roon.

Our censorship laws are also curbing the Filipino filmmakers’ and artists’ creative independence. If there is no censorship, filmmakers and artists are free to explore stories and topics however controversial they may be. In the long run, this creative independence will open more opportunities for bolder and fresher ideas in Philippine cinema.

Magiging mas buo at ganap tuloy ang Philippine cinema dahil hindi takot at hindi pinipigilan ang mga filmmakers na ikuwento ang mga gusto nilang ikuwento, kaya masasanay din ang mga manonood sa mga kuwentong liban sa romance, horror o comedy. That is how films can fully shape the Filipino culture.

'Pandemic or no pandemic, we need a supportive cinema policy that will promote and protect our creative culture and industry.'

I also hope for a leader who will prioritize Filipino films over Hollywood in theater distribution. Nakakalungkot na madalas ay kailangang makipaglaban ng Filipino titles over Hollywood films sa bilang ng mga sinehan, at madalas din, talo ang Filipino films. There is no question about the Filipino artists’ talent. Kailangan natin ng lider na tataya roon.

Having said that, it is time for a leadership that’s focused on empathy and honesty. I hope for a leader who stands not above us but with us. A leader who does not preach at us but talks among us—and walks the talk, too. It is easy to have a high level of trust and confidence on a leader who can empathize with us. We may not always understand the leader’s decision, but because we trust him or her, we know, hindi niya tayo ipapahamak.

Political leaders will always have their own personal biases, but when leaders are honest and empathetic, we trust that they will make sure to see things from multiple perspectives before creating opinions and decisions—and it is always for our best interest. Alam nating kasama tayo lagi sa kung anumang magiging desisyon nila.

We need a leader who is also a good communicator. A leader who does not peddle misinformation, does not blame-shift. Hindi pikon. We need transparency and accountability.

I hope for a leader who leads with decisiveness and humility. A leader who decides promptly especially in the time of crisis. A leader who listens. A leader who respects women. A leader who respects the voice of the youth. A leader who respects journalists—not torture and kill them. A leader who is humble enough to accept criticism and dissent.

These and more are how I picture what our next leaders should look like. This is the kind of leadership that I want to see in 2022.

Every voice matters. Register now! Go to irehistro.comelec.gov.ph.