Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. has expressed high optimism that the local movie industry will soon recover from its near extinction because of the enactment of a law which provides the reduction of the 30% amusement tax to 10%.

Senator Revilla made the statement before a gathering of local movie industry leaders at an appreciation dinner sponsored by the National Cinema Association of the Philippines (NCAP) and Filipino Film Producers and Distributors (FFPD). Senator Revilla and the other solons responsible for the passage of a law reducing the amusement tax of movies received plaques of appreciation from the NCAP and FFPD. Sen. Loren Legarda’s father received her plaque. The other honorees: Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Benigno C. Aquino II, Francis G. Escudero and Manuel B. Villar Jr., weren’t able to make it.

The congressmen who personally received their awards were Reps. Exequiel B. Javier, Al Francis Bichara, Rufus B. Rodriguez, Lorenzo R. Tanada III, Marcelino R. Teodoro, William Irwin C. Tieng, and Eduardo C. Zialcita.

Senator Revilla, a producer and an actor himself, stressed that for several years already, the local movie industry has almost gone into a total limbo because of the sudden increase in the cost of production, compounded by the fact that the industry has been the most taxed industry in the Philippines.

He recalled that several years back, no less than 150 movies were being produced a year, compared to about 35-45 movies now.

Senator Revilla is the principal author of the law which he introduced in the Senate immediately during the first session he attended.

“It’s because of the movie industry that I attained what I am today,” he stressed. “My father, then Senator Ramon Revilla, owes the movie industry so much that we must do everything we can to return the favor.”

The senator expressed his most profound gratitude to his colleagues in the Senate as well as to a number of representatives at the House of Representatives for their consistent support to the then proposed law during its deliberations in both Houses and during the bicameral meetings.

Atty. Espiridion Laxa, an icon in the movie industry, said that the reduction of amusement taxes to 10% for the local movie industry signals the resurgence and encouragement of producers and investors which may in a short term regain the festive days of the industry. Laxa, a movie producer himself, is the chairman of the Film Academy of the Philippines and the Movie Workers Welfare Fund (Mowelfund).

Ric D. Camaligan, president of the National Cinema Association of the Philippines, also expressed profuse gratitude to the lawmakers for their support for the enactment of the law. “Our team presented the problem – 30% amusement tax – to Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and she immediately realized the need to help us,” Camaligan said.

“There were some opposition we encountered during committee hearings in the House,” Camaligan stressed. “But those hearings enlightened us more about the local movie industry and the more that we persisted in our resolve to see the enactment of the proposed law.”

Camaligan also cited the great support of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile which gave us “new vision of hope and enthusiasm for the cinema industry in our country.”

The bill lapsed into law on May 21, 2009.

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. was the first local government chief executive who reduced to zero amusement taxes three years ago, and Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos has also reduced the tax to 15%. Earlier, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim has reduced to 15% the amusement taxes in the city.

The event was well-attended by leaders of the local movie industry and some VIP guests. Seen at the venue (the Garden Ballroom of  Edsa Shangri-La Hotel) were: MTRCB Chair Consoliza Laguardia, Ms. Boots Anson-Roa, Ms. Malou Santos, Atty. Laxa, Lally F.

Suzara and other representatives of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, Leonardo Monteverde, Ng Meng Tam, Marcos Ng, Selena Gecolea, Wilson Tieng, Orly Ilacad, Robbie Tan, Roselle Monteverde-Teo, Annette G. Abrogar, Vicente del Rosario, Manny Nuqui, Leo Martinez, Ed Sazon, William Lao, Romy Tan, Francis Soliven, Frederick Go, Dominic Du and many others.

The program was hosted by Giselle Toengi. Entertainment numbers were provided by Erik Santos and the Viva Hot Babes.

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Veterans Bank’s new Batangas branch

Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) inaugurated its Branch in Batangas City, which relocated to its new address at the Ground Floor, CAP Building, Rizal Ave. with guest of honor Batangas City Mayor Eduardo B. Dimacuha and Batangas Provincial Board member Joel Atienza, representing Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto. Other guests include PVB Chair Col. Emmanuel V. de Ocampo and PVB President and CEO Ricardo A. Balbido Jr.; officers of the Provincial and City Governments, and World War II Veterans in the area. The mass and blessing of the new building was officiated by Rev. Fr. Magno Casala Jr.

The move is part of the Bank’s rationalization program which is in response to the strong demand from its clients. It will also make its branches more accessible to clients.

Meanwhile, PVB’s expansion plans for 2009 are full steam ahead with the recent opening of four new branches in Antipolo City, Tarlac City, Lucena and San Fernando, Pampanga presently bringing its total branch network to 49. The Bank plans to open 11 more in various sites around the country by next year. Earlier this year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) approved fifteen (15) new branch licenses for PVB.

“We are setting up more branches in the next months with the BSP approval. At present, we are eyeing sites in Valenzuela, Malolos, Lipa City, Cavite City, Olongapo City, Cabanatuan and Tagbilaran among others,” said Jesus Vicente O. Garcia, PVB EVP and Branches Group Head.

For his part, PVB President and CEO Ricardo A. Balbido Jr. said that the Bank’s branch network expansion will boost the Bank’s growth efforts. At present, PVB is the 20th largest commercial bank in the country.

“We’re very grateful to our clients and partners for helping the Bank grow and reach new heights. With the new branches, Veterans Bank can now expand its reach and will be able to serve more government units and private clients in these new areas,” said Balbido.

One of PVB’s best-seller services is its unique “5-in-1” Veteran Teller card that functions as an ATM payroll card, personnel or company ID, a time-in/time-out card, debit card and discount card.

PVB is also committed to provide 20% of its annual net income goes to programs that would provide benefits to WWII veterans and their surviving families through the Board of Trustees for the Veterans of World War II (BTVWWII). One is the Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP) Out-patient Center in Taguig that provides free medical services, consultation and medicines to WWII veterans.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Aug. 5, go to Sen. Richard Gordon, Col. Noe Andaya, Wally dela Cruz, Alice Arenas, Felisa Almaden, Ampy Dacer, Henry Gosyco, Alice Pizarro, Michael Carlo San Diego, Carmencita “Baby” San Juan, Jeff Geronimo,  and Drandreb Belleza….