Senator Jinggoy Estrada delivered Monday at the Senate Hall a privilege speech asking that the management of the Metro Manila Film Festival be given to the industry itself – which means that the leaders of the local movie industry become the sole implementors and managers of the yearly film festival.

It is recalled that then President Ferdinand E. Marcos, upon the recommendation of then First Lady, Madame Imelda Romualdez-Marcos, established the holding of the Metro Manila Film Festival as a great measure in helping boost the income of the local movie industry.

Mrs. Marcos said that there was then a strong lobby from American movie producers to schedule the festival to another month, as movies make the biggest income during the month of December. But Mrs. Marcos, being a strong supporter of the local movie industry, rejected the proposal of the American producers and stood pat on her decision to schedule the Metro Manila Film Festival during the month of December, starting on the 24th up to the end of the month.

All the 17 cities and towns of Metro Manila have to forego the taxes – 30% - and the amount is given back to the movie industry through some specified beneficiaries.

According to the presidential decree establishing the MMFF, the Metro Manila governor acts as the over-all chairman of the MMFF. Until the decree is amended, repealed or replaced by another executive order, MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando remains the mandated chairman of the MMFF, and all the Metro Manila mayors as members.

To implement the MMFF requires a huge logistics and also in terms of personnel.

Presently, among the biggest organizations in the local movie industry are the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) which, during the last two years, failed to mount – with adequate stage productions and TV coverage – its annual FAP awards presentations; FAP is also the creation of an executive order issued by then Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos; the Mowelfund, a service organization for the movie workers, initiated by former President Joseph Estrada when he was still mayor of San Juan, Metro Manila. It is entirely a private foundation which used to receive 60% of the income of the MMFF. Other private organizations in the local movie industry – also beneficiaries of the MMFF - are the Anti-Film Piracy Council of the Philippines and the Movie Producers Association of the Philippines.

As of this writing, Quezon City no longer collects taxes from movies shown in theaters within its jurisdiction. The measure was authored by Councilor Ariel Inton. In Manila, taxes collected from movie exhibitions have also been reduced to 15% from the original 30%.. With zero or reduced movie taxes, the income – from tax rebates – of the MMFF has also been drastically reduced. The income therefore of the MMFF this year’s festival would definitely be reduced, and the beneficiaries would be receiving less.

Chairman Fernando’s reaction

On GMA-7’s “Unang Hirit” the other day, Arnold Clavio asked Chairman Fernando in an interview over the phone what his reaction was over the privilege speech of Senator Jinggoy. Chairman Fernando felt it was politically motivated as he said, “Di ko alam, alam mo naman ang pulitika...” He denied any rift with the senator.

Chairman BF reminded everyone that he did not ask for the job (as chairman of the annual December filmfest), but he was mandated by law to take charge being the chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Charice’s inspiration, her mom!

The little big star Charice (she has decided to drop the surname Pempengco upon the recommendation of her supporter and believer Oprah Winfrey who said she can hardly pronounce it anyway) has a new album entitled “My Inspiration,” released recently by Star Records. When asked who her inspiration is, Charice quickly answered “My mom is my inspiration.”

(If Charice is partial to her mom Raquel, it’s because she like Judy Ann Santos and Kim Chiu grew up without her father by her side. And when asked if she would like to look for him, she said, “Huwag na lang siguro,” insinuating that she’s contented living with just her mother and younger brother.)

The album’s release couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time because it was Mother’s Day last Sunday and it was a perfect gift to mothers. “My mom is my inspiration. She has always been my strength. Di ko naman mararating ‘yung na-achieve ko ngayon kung hindi niya ako sinusuportahan. Itong album na ‘to, isang way ko na rin ito of saying thank you sa mommy ko, kaya ‘yung songs mostly nakaka-touch,” Charice said.

Especially moving is the album’s original carrier single “Always You,” with the line “You are my soul, you’re breathing life into my heart, all the love that I have comes from you… Always you…” The other songs in “My Inspiration” are “Wing Beneath My Wings,” “I’ll Be There,” “Mama, For Mama,” “You’ll Never Stand Alone,” “You Raised Me Up,” “Through the Years,” “In My Life,” and “You and Me Against the World” which she sang with Mom Raquel.

As a singer, Charice has indeed proven herself. In fact, she’s already on her way to superstardom via her international guestings like in the Ellen De Generes show, Paul O’Grady and in “Oprah.” She has attended concerts of David Foster and Andrea Bocelli to name a few and has graced big events like the Oscar’s Ball, the ceremonial first pitch at the Dodger Stadium where she sang the national anthem of America, and the pre-inauguration of President Obama.

Above all these achievements, what is also worth recognizing is her strong relationship with her mother which is the root and the main reason for her second album.

Olivia performs for charity together with Waraynons

Olivia, dubbed as “Golden Girl of Jazz,” brings the proverbial musical storm this summer season to the centerstage of Palacio de Maynila along Roxas Blvd. as she warbles her kind of songs at the fund-raising campaign to be launched by the Customs Waraynon Association today, May 14.

The award-winning song artist will perform along with the comedy duo of Roy George, the Waray Jukebox King Joseph Uy, and to top it all, the Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan in the event called “Pagkatitirok,” meaning “gathering” in English. Except Olivia, other performers are natives of Leyte and Samar provinces.

The fund-raising campaign, initiated by the association president Customs Deputy Collector Mrs. Lourdes Kempis, aims to raise funds for the Kapit-Bisig ng mga Maralita projects intended to help the poor school children of Eastern Samar push through with their education using high-technology equipment like computers. Medical and dental missions are also in the lineup of events.

Olivia, a top-rated performer, has laurels resting on her head having awarded as the Asia’s Best New Jazz Artist by the Asian Entertainment Awards. Earlier on, she was acclaimed by Aliw Awards as the Best New Female Performer in Hotels, Music Lounges and Bars. And lately, she got the Best New Female Artist People’s Choice Award at the Annual Awit Awards.

Olivia garnered the Best Performer Award in the 2004 Kazhakstan International Song Festival besting other competitors from different countries around the world.

Also a recording artist, Olivia has a long-playing album to her credit titled, “Gentle Jazz” under Ivory Records.

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for May 14, go to Judge Corona Ibay Somera, former beauty queen Chita Z. Arnaiz, artist Rachel Lobangco, socialite Becky Garcia, Sandee S. Masigan, Rose Prudencio, Vic Revilla, Kylle Adrien B. Espiritu, Rudolph Armas and Joseph Anthony Parlan of New York, USA; Angel Joshua Velasco of LA, California; and the “Crystal Voice” Marri Nallos… Happy wedding anniversary to Boy and Shirley Dominguez of London…