Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 18) – Filmmaker Paul Soriano has agreed to be paid just ₱1 yearly for his work as presidential adviser on creative communications, according to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Marcos on Monday officiated the oath-taking of Soriano, who shot his presidential campaign commercials and directed his first State of the Nation Address.
“One of the greatest assets of the Filipino is our creativity, and we must find many ways to highlight that to the rest of the world,” the President said. “And that is what Paul Soriano has already been doing in his career as a filmmaker. And now we have asked him to help us at one peso per year.”
According to Malacañang, Soriano is tasked to advise the chief executive and assist the government on information dissemination programs and initiatives.
“It’s an absolute honor to be able to serve, first and foremost, of course, for the country and then, of course, for the PBBM administration,” said the movie and television director. “It’s a passion of mine to just create and communicate.
Paul Soriano’s dad, Jeric Soriano, is a cousin of first lady Lisa Araneta-Marcos. Jeric is the son of the late actor Nestor de Villa.
The 41-year-old filmmaker is an advertising and marketing communications graduate from De Anza College in Cupertino, California. He is married to actress and television host Toni Gonzaga, who has also openly supported Marcos since campaign period.
Among Soriano’s award-winning films is “Siargao,” for which he won Best Director in the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival.
He also co-produced “Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis (A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery),” which was directed by Lav Diaz and bagged the Alfred Bauer Award for Best Film at the 2016 Berlinale International Film Festival.
Soriano is also behind other critically acclaimed films including “Kid Kulafu,” “Thelma,” “Dukot,” “First Love” and “Mañanita.”
