Legarda: Support Filipino films, give our stories a bigger stage

Senator Loren Legarda called for stronger and sustained support for Philippine cinema as the country observes Philippine Film Industry Month this September, stressing that Filipino films carry the country’s history, culture, and lived experiences while creating opportunities and livelihood for the artists and creative workers behind every production.

This year’s celebration carries the theme “Pelikula: Ginintuang Ikalawa,” commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Second Golden Age of Philippine Cinema and looking ahead to another flourishing period for Filipino film.

“Ang pagsuporta sa pelikulang Pilipino ay pagbibigay ng mas malaking puwang sa sarili nating kuwento, pananaw, at talento. Kasabay nito, sinusuportahan din natin ang maraming Pilipinong ang hanapbuhay at pangarap ay nakatali sa industriyang ito,” Legarda said.

Legarda cited the international journey of Lav Diaz’s Magellan, where she served as one of the executive producers alongside Paul Soriano, as a recent example of the reach Filipino cinema can achieve. The film premiered in the Cannes Première section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, and was later selected as the Philippines’ official entry for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards.

The result of seven years of research, the film focuses on the final months of Ferdinand Magellan’s life and expedition, and serves as a meditation on power, conquest, and the myth of civilization.

“Hindi lang pagkilala sa isang pelikula ang mahalaga rito. Ipinapakita rin nito na kaya nating balikan ang kasaysayan, magtanong, at magkuwento mula sa pananaw na mas malapit sa atin. May lugar ang husay at pananaw ng Filipino filmmaker sa pandaigdigang entablado,” Legarda said.

The senator said this is only one of many films, documentaries, and green films she has supported, initiated, or taken part in over the years, with cinema serving as a platform for causes she has long championed, including culture and heritage, indigenous knowledge, environmental protection, climate action, disaster resilience, and Philippine history.

“Matagal ko nang nakikita ang pelikula bilang makapangyarihang paraan ng pagkukuwento. May mga usaping mahirap ipaliwanag sa datos lamang, pero mas nagiging malinaw ang mga ito kapag nakikita natin ang mukha at buhay ng mga taong direktang naaapektuhan,” she said.

Among these projects is Taklub, directed by Brillante Mendoza and starring Nora Aunor, which earned a special commendation from the Ecumenical Jury at the 68th Cannes International Film Festival in France. It was also shown at the opening night of the 20th French Film Festival in Manila.

The film formed part of Legarda’s broader effort to use cinema and documentary storytelling to bring environmental protection, climate change, and disaster preparedness closer to the public. Other films and documentaries she has spearheaded or supported include Ulan sa Tag-Araw: Isang Dokyu-drama Ukol sa Pagbabago ng Klima, Ligtas Likas, Buhos, Philippine Marine Biodiversity, and Antique: Coral Restoration Program. These are only some examples of projects she has backed over the years on climate change, biodiversity, environmental protection, and disaster resilience.

“Mas nagiging personal ang usapin kapag nakikita natin sa pelikula ang epekto ng sakuna o pagbabago sa klima sa buhay ng isang pamilya o komunidad. Doon mas nauunawaan kung bakit mahalaga ang paghahanda, pangangalaga sa kalikasan, at pagkilos,” Legarda said.

Her work in film has also extended to Philippine history and cultural heritage. She conceptualized and envisioned Finding Rizal in a Time of Barriers, developed in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Embassy in Berlin, which explored lesser-known aspects of Jose Rizal’s first journey through Europe and his experiences in Germany.

She also conceptualized and hosted Dayaw, a documentary series on indigenous traditions, knowledge, artistry, and cultural heritage. Her connection to Philippine cinema also includes her appearance as herself, as a journalist, in the 2000 film Markova: Comfort Gay, starring the late Dolphy.

“May mga kuwentong kailangang maitala bago mawala, at may mga tinig na kailangang marinig nang mas malawak. Sa pelikula at documentary, naipapasa natin ang ating kasaysayan at kultura sa paraang buhay, personal, at mas madaling maabot ng tao,” Legarda said.

Legarda stressed that preserving and promoting Filipino stories must go hand in hand with strengthening the industry and the livelihoods behind them. She authored Republic Act No. 11904, or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, which established a national framework for developing and promoting the country’s creative industries, including audiovisual media, while supporting employment, skills development, market opportunities, and Filipino creative enterprises.

“Ang pelikula ay sining, pero kabuhayan din ito. Sa likod ng bawat produksyon ay may writers, directors, actors, cinematographers, editors, designers, technicians, at marami pang creative workers. Kung gusto nating lumakas ang industriya, kailangang lumakas din ang suporta sa mga taong bumubuo rito,” Legarda said.

Continuing this push in the 20th Congress, Legarda filed Senate Bill No. 817, or the proposed Department of Culture Act, which seeks to establish a dedicated Department of Culture, as well as Senate Resolution No. 302, which seeks to rename the Senate Committee on Culture and the Arts as the Committee on Culture, Arts, and Creative Industries and expand its jurisdiction.

“Kailangan ng kultura at creative industries ng malinaw na tahanan sa pamahalaan at mas matibay na boses sa paggawa ng polisiya. Marami tayong talento at kuwento. Ang trabaho natin ay tiyaking may institusyong handang protektahan, palaguin, at bigyan sila ng mas maraming pagkakataon,” Legarda said.

As the country looks back on the legacy of the Second Golden Age of Philippine Cinema, Legarda said the celebration should also inspire renewed support for today’s filmmakers and open more doors for new voices and stories.

“Mayaman ang pinanggalingan ng pelikulang Pilipino, pero marami pa tayong kuwentong naghihintay na maisalaysay. Kung bibigyan natin ng puwang at tunay na suporta ang ating filmmakers at creative workers, mas maraming kuwentong atin ang tatatak sa puso ng Pilipino at makakarating sa buong mundo,” Legarda concluded. (30)