Metro Manila, Philippines – Piolo Pascual is throwing his full support in revitalizing the glory of Philippine cinema as the public decries rising prices of movie tickets.
In a special screening of his Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry “Manila’s Finest” sponsored by BDO, the 48-year-old seasoned actor said he is part of the discussion with various organizations to lower ticket prices.
BDO organized the special screening and surprise visit from Pascual for its OWWA partners. It’s the bank’s way to thank them for their long-standing partnership and trust in the financial institution, particularly on its “alagang kabayan” service philosophy.
“We’ve been talking to cinema owners and businessmen. We’ve been in talks with different groups. Hopefully the government will support us so that more people will have access to our movies,” he said.
“We want to be vigilant about it. We’re in the Philippines, it’s a third world country. As much as we’re thriving and being resilient, I guess we also have to do something about it,” he continued.
This comes after Jun Lana, director of another MMFF entry “Call Me Mother,” earlier pointed out that expensive movie tickets made Filipinos turn away from watching movies in cinema theaters.
Lana said that expensive movie tickets have shifted the cinema experience from a “shared national culture to a middle-class privilege.”
In the period drama film “Manila’s Finest,” Pascual plays the role of a principled but flawed Manila Police District officer as he navigates internal problems within the ranks and political unrest in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
“We made the film for the people, the audience to fill in the blanks. The message of the film is very deep in such a way that as much as we go back in time, it’s quite nostalgic, but these are things that are still happening nowadays.” he said.
“We’re kind of mirroring what happened in the past and the people will have to reflect on why it’s still happening today. It’s a reflective kind of film.”
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