Lights, camera, action! From Manila to Hollywood
No lights and camera yet, but there was plenty of action when Filipinos in the arts and film industry left Manila for Los Angeles last week to conquer Hollywood.
Spearheaded by First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta Marcos, this is a movement to promote the Philippines and encourage filmmaking in the Philippines. “It’s a rebirth,” says a member of the Manila Film International Festival (MIFF) board which held its awards night at the Beverly Hilton last March 7.
The First Lady said: “What a truly proud moment to witness our Filipino and Filipino-American film luminaries coming together, side by side. Seeing our countrymen—regardless of where they are in the world—unite in creativity and passion is a testament to the boundless potential we can achieve when we work together.”

Apl De Ap, celebrated Filipino rapper and singer, heartily recited: “We are here to scream at the top of our lungs about our culture, our writing skills and who we are as Filipinos, throughout the world.”

Bestselling novelist Kevin Kwan, famously loved by Filipinos for his amusing satirical Crazy Rich Asians series, declared at the presscon: “We are hoping to make a movie in the Philippines showing the best of Filipino talents behind the screen and onscreen, because I love the Philippines! I fell in love with the country and its people. You guys are my super fans, right? And so, I am trying to do something to give back.” Crazy Rich Pinoys coming next? We are crazy fans!

When we asked if the Philippines might someday take home an award on the red carpet, Tia Carrera replied: “Of course. I would love to have a Filipino at the Oscar Awards. Being a Filipina actress, I’d love that to be me. So that’s my goal right now. I’m writing something that’s in the realm of Anora… a small, independent film.”
But of course, let us not forget that we’ve proudly had Dolly de Leon taking home a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress (for her role in Triangle of Sadness).

Remember that shocker of a movie, South Korean director Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite, which won five nominations and four awards at the 2020 Oscars? We met its producer, David Shim, at the dinner hosted by Dr. Ronald Rigor in his Bel Air residence, and he pleasantly shocked us when he said: “I am producing a movie in the Philippines! After making connections with the Cine Gang, I am spending more time in the Philippines now, and should be ready with the film by year end.”

Cine Gang is a group of filmmaking enthusiasts founded by Russell Lee with the goal of promoting Filipino narratives in international filmfests and revitalizing the film industry. “Let’s create magic together, one frame at a time,” said the First Lady during its office launch.
Present during the MIFF in LA was Alliance Global Group CEO Kevin Tan, one of Cine Gang’s incorporators, along with Paolo Martel.

A powerhouse of support came from three government officials present at the MIFF: Tourism Sec. Christina Frasco, Trade Sec. Cristina Roque, and Department of Interior and Local Government Sec. Jonvic Remulla.

“The Philippines has always been known as a fun destination,” said Tourism Sec. Frasco. “But we have only scratched the surface. There is Philippine art, culture, heritage and history to be discovered. And film is an avenue for letting people discover these. For beach lovers, we have Cebu, Bohol, Palawan and Boracay. In the radar for water sports, we have La Union and Siargao. For northern adventures, we have Batanes and Baguio. And for historical places, we have Intramuros and Vigan and many other UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Philippines can really be a filmmaker’s paradise.”

A game changer, Frasco explained, is the “Create More” law that was signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., allowing more liberalization of incentives including income tax holidays. “We extend filmmaking assistance on things like permits and security in cooperation with the local government units.”

DILG Sec. Jonvic Remulla explained: “Our department acknowledges the pivotal role of cinema in establishing Filipino identity and bridging the distance for migrant Filipinos with stories that hit close to home.”
During the MIFF awards night, Sec. Remulla quipped: “In governance, we do things not because they’re easy, but because they’re difficult. And our First Lady has come here to promote our art and culture, to celebrate the Filipino. Tonight, it’s all about storytelling for Filipinos. About heroes of the past, and heroes we have yet to see.”

Trade Sec. Cristina Roque likewise believes in the power of storytelling, saying, “We can use the film industry to project these stories. In our survey, we have found out that Indonesians love horror stories. We can’t beat South Korea when it comes to rom-coms, but they like the Vivamax style. It’s time we went global.”
Sec. Roque concurs with the First Lady’s policy to open our doors to filmmakers. Recently, she met with Birns & Sawyer, a film production and equipment provider, which is investing $50 million for the construction of state-of-the-art sound stages in the Philippines within the Filinvest property in New Clark City and other key places. “They are also providing training for fresh graduates to enable them to meet world-class industry standards,” Sec. Roque added.
During the MIFF week in Los Angeles, 16 Filipino films were shown at the TCL Chinese Theater. Two of them won special awards:
- Song Of The Fireflies: A true story on the Loboc Children’s Choir produced by Girlie Rodis, Celeste Legaspi and Serge Lacuesta, it won a total of five awards—Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress (Rachel Alejandro), Best Supporting Actor (Noel Comia), Best Actress (Morisette), and a Special Award for Promoting Filipino Music and Culture.
“Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte was a co-presenter of this romance musical drama and she also sponsored our LA participation,” said Rodis.
The director was King Palisoc, with songs provided by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, Louie Ocampo, Raymond Marasigan and Jazz Nicolas.
- Faith Healers: Directed by Regina Aquino, this documentary that won a Special Award is about Filipino doctors who left their homeland to care for the health of the people in the US. It chronicles their unique and exemplary lives, from immigration in the 1960s to second-generation growing pains. Stars are Dr. Zorayda Lee-LLacer, Dr. Randy Lizardo (he made the audience cry) with the special appearance of Ambassador Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez.
“Filipino health workers are the most widely appreciated in the US because of their compassion and the special care they give to their patients,” declared Amb. Romualdez. “They are literally the most sought after, not only here in the US, but all over the world. They are really our frontline ambassadors of goodwill.”
The director’s mother, Rose Aquino Valeriano, said these doctors continue to serve in both the US and the Philippines, showing our shared humanity and the importance of our history and culture.
- Hello, Love Again: Directed by Cathy Garcia-Sampana, this was the first movie to break into the US box office top 10, and the first Filipino film to gross over P1 billion at the box office. Starring Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards.
- And The Breadwinner Is…: Produced by ABS-CBN, directed by Jun Robles Lana, this comedy stars Vice Ganda and Eugene Domingo.
- Espantaho: Directed by Chito Rono, this horror movie stars Judy Ann Santos, Lorna Tolentino and Chanda Romero.
- Hold Me Close: With Jason Paul Laxamana as director, this romance-fantasy stars Julia Barretto and Carlo Aquino.
- My Future You: This rom-com was directed by Crisanto Aquino and stars Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin.
- Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Hospital Killer: Directed by Kerwin Go, this horror film stars Enrique Gil, Jane de Leon and Alexa Miru.
- The Kingdom: Directed by Michael Tuviera, this adventure thriller stars Vic Sotto, Piolo Pascual and Cristine Reyes.
- Topakk: Directed by Richard Somes, this action movie features Julia Montes, Arjo Atayde and Sid Lucero.
- Eraserheads: Combo On The Run: This documentary on Ely Buendia, Raymund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala and Marcus Adoro was directed by Maria Diane Ventura.
- Love Hurts: Directed by Jonathan Eusebio, this top-bills Oscar and Golden Globe winners Ke Huy Quan and Ariana DeBose.
- Nurse Unseen: This documentary directed by Michele Josue was produced by Josue, Carlo Velayo, and Joe Arciaga.
- The Debut: Directed by Gene Cajayon, this drama released in 2000 stars Dante Basco, Tirso Cruz III and Eddie Garcia.
- Everything About My Wife: Directed by Real Florido, this rom-com stars Dennis Trillo, Sam Milby. Jennylyn Mercado, Carmi Martin, Nova Villa, Joyang Glorioso, Alex Agustin, Polo Laurel and Ruby Ruiz.
- Magikland: Directed by Christian Acuna, this fantasy features a cast that includes Maricel Laxa, Audie Gemora, Bibeth Orteza, Noel Trinidad, Lotlot de Leon and Jackie Lou Blanco.
Awardees were First Lady Liza Marcos (Visionary Award for Championing Philippine Cinema); Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo, Ricky Lee, Vilma Santos and Nico Santos (Lifetime Achievement Awards); Lily Monteverde (Posthumous, Lifetime Achievement Award); Tia Carrere and The Debut (Trailblazer Awards).
A heartwarming detail: The 2025 edition of the MIFF was dedicated by chairman Omen Ortiz and president Ebradu Udarbe to the first responders who valiantly battled the wildfires that ravaged parts of Southern California. “We have earmarked a portion of the proceeds to the Los Angeles fire relief efforts,” declared Ortiz.
So what’s next for MIFF? If you ask co-founders/ journalists Ruben Nepales and Janet Nepales, they will say, “Hollywood will conquer Manila next. The lights and camera are coming.”