Name: Abigail Gem R.

Paet

Feature Story Draft

Slugline: Quality of Filipino Cinema

Intended Audience: Filipino Movie Buffs and Watchers
Objectives:
At the end of the article, readers must be able to:
1. Identify the changes between old Filipino mainstream films and new Filipino mainstream
films
2. Identify certain parts of the Filipino film history
3. Appreciate Filipino movies with socially responsible themes

Shallow Joys over Deeper Meaning

The Filipino film industry is one of the Philippines most treasured art forms. From drama
to comedy, to horror, and romance, the Filipinos have surely showcased immense talent in fields
such as writing, directing, composing, and of course acting.
The Filipino cinema, or Sine Pilipino, has portrayed the lives of many Filipinos and even
the countrys rich history through its scripts, dialogues, characters, and its settings as well. From
films like Burlesk Queen, which shows the life of a Filipina bread winning through burlesque
dancing even though her father prohibited it;
to the very famous Himala that depicts the reactions of the Filipinos towards miracles
and mysticism. But what has happened to the quality it has been showing these days? Has it
instead declined into showing distasteful gags, inappropriate storylines, and a two-hour
commercial placement?
These days, movies have been made as a social event by Filipinos rather than a way
to be informed and involved. From a government study done in 2011, Gerald Clarino,
government statistical coordination officer, said that piracy, foreign competition, and lack of
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support, are some of the reasons the industry is experiencing this sudden downfall, in addition
to that independent films not getting enough credit in the Philippines, despite being recognized
overseas.

By 2007, majority of the films that won Oscars were technically "independent,

meaning low-budget movies that did not make it to mainstream list. Serious toned movies which
often tackle social issues and show the appalling side of the Philippines are often the subjects of
award winning indie directors such as Brillante Mendoza, Pepe Diokno, and Jim Libiran. But
unfortunately these are not the type of movies that attain popularity among the Filipino families.
Karen Flores, a column writer for ABS-CBN, said that Filipinos nowadays watch movies
as a stress reliever rather than an information giver. They watch movies to so that they could
escape their everyday stresses. Thats why they like to watch feel-good movies rather than the
ones that are heavily-themed, the reason behind the popular romantic comedy films of John
Lloyd Cruz or movies that the people can relate to, like No Other Woman that shows the life of a
mistress, or A Mothers Story that shows the life of a mother who worked overseas just to
provide for her family. The downside about it is that those movies wouldnt be noticed at all if
popular actors werent sugar-coated or gift-wrapped into the story. This is where
consumerism comes in the industry that ultimately results to commercialization of movies.
According to Enrico Santos, head of the concept development group and new media for
ABS-CBN Film Productions Inc., the movie with a good plot would be useless if it werent for the
famous artist. But it was better than nothing at all, although some movie critics still believe that
these films are still far from being at par with movies from the golden age, Santos reasoned out
that if a movie gave an impression on the viewer and if it made the viewer ponder upon its plot
or the viewers life itself, its more than just a feel good movie. Saying that its called catharsis;
reflection after watching the movie.
Mr. Santos also added that the film industry has turned into a money-making business
rather than an expression of talent and social awareness. The Filipinos are encouraged to
watch foreign produced movies rather than the ones made here by our fellow Filipinos
especially the ones that tackle social responsibility. Popularity seems to be the goal of
producers these days, rather than quality. In the fear of having a flop, they put their money in

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producing movies that will attract more watchers, and because of this they end up showing a
movie with the same theme and same set of popular actors.
The film is a powerful tool, and as citizens of the Philippines, the Filipinos need to be
more aware of this happening. They need to consider the kind of entertainment that they
produce, because it says a lot about their values, their system, their capacities, and their way of
life. If a film truly reflects a part of life, then watching it will help the Filipinos ponder upon the
image of their values, their strengths and weaknesses, their current culture, and if necessary, to
change whatever is they find unpleasing. If a Filipino movie can do that, then there is still hope
for the Filipino film industry.

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