‘Ligtas’ unleashed

Sen. Loren Legarda asked award-winning director Brillante Mendoza to “simplify” his style in helming “Ligtas,” the instructional video on disaster preparedness.

“Malaking hamon iyon for an artist. Ang mas gusto niya syempreng gawin ay mga feature films pero sabi ko, ‘Hindi, ang kailangan ito ay instructional para maintindihan ng bata, sa grade school, sa barangay,” she said at the recent launch and special screening of the film at the Podium-Cinema 2.

Produced by the senator herself, “Ligtas” is based on the manual titled “Disaster Preparedness and First Aid Handbook” that she also produced. “Ligtas” is the second team-up between Legarda and Mendoza after the documentary “Buhos” which is about the science of climate change and its impact on everyday lives.

The two worked on a tight budget focusing on the educational aspect of the video more than anything else.

“It will have subtitles. Aside from cinemas, it will be shown in 100 universities and colleges. We want our copy to be replicated and have it shown in subdivisions, villages, barangays, organizations…by making people aware about the matter, I think we can save lives,” Legarda said.

On his part, Mendoza talks about “Buhos” and “Ligtas” even abroad whenever he can.

“Lalo na sa iba na interesado rin sa environment, I always tell them na I’m doing something like this. Binibigyan ko sila ng mga kopya. Kasi sayang naman nanduduon ka na, diba?”

“Ligtas” aims to give instructions and precautionary information during typhoons, landslides, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis.

Other films and documentaries that Legarda has produced in line with her advocacies are “Ulan sa Tag-Araw: Isang Dokyu-drama Ukol sa Pagbabago ng Klima,” “Ligtas Likas,” and “Now is the Time.”

Some of Mendoza’s awarded films are “Kinatay,” “Thy Womb,” and “Lola.”

Source: Manila Bulletin