Rep. Sigrido R. Tinga of the 2nd District of Taguig, has filed House Bill 3200 in a bid to help the local entertainment industry by making it more competitive with the provision of the necessary tax breaks.

The bill seeks to give corporate tax breaks and certain importation privileges to the industry, and to exempt venue operators showing local films, as well as art and music events featuring local artists, from the payment of amusement tax.

(The bill comes on the heels of the recent controversy wherein independent producers Pelita Peralta-Uy and Carmela Endriga-Honrado prominently figured when they were denied exemption or reduction of amusement tax by the Pasay City Council for their forthcoming concert OPM concert featuring two of the country’s most prominent musical artists, Ogie Alcasid and Maestro Ryan Cayabyab.)

In his explanatory note, Rep. Tinga said, “the Philippine arts and entertainment industry finds itself hard pressed to compete in a world of endless entertainment choices. Foreign films and entertainment products continue to improve as evidenced by the growth of their market share here in the Philippines, as well as the abundance of international movies and entertainment options from all over the world.

“The ease of digital piracy and lack of copyright protection have also taken their toll on both the local film and music industry. Musicians who have lost opportunities to earn on royalties from album sales are now dependent on making a living from live performances. Filmmakers are also wary of making big budget movies only to see them hawked on the sidewalks, a day after their theatrical release. The dramatic decrease from over 200 movies produced locally per year to less than 30 is quite a telling sign of the health of the industry.

“The Philippines is a country of creative people, whose potential is being stifled by the lack of institutional support in what has become a highly competitive environment. It is high time for the state to be proactive and provide all the necessary legislative and financial support to ensure that Filipino culture survives and flourishes.”

In view of the foregoing consideration, Rep. Tinga recommended the quick approval of House Bill 3200.

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Lovi Poe co-stars with great actors

Ever since she joined showbiz, singer-actress Lovi Poe has shown great dedication to her craft. And now she is reaping the rewards of her hard work.

After winning the Best Actress award in the recent Cinemalaya Festival, Lovi has been tapped to star in several high-profile projects, the first of which is the horror film of Topel Lee, “White House,” where she co-stars with great actors Gabby Concepcion and Iza Calzado. The movie opens in theaters nationwide tomorrow, Oct. 20. The red premiere night will be held tonight at SM Megamall Cinema 9.
In this film, Lovi plays a reality show contestant who joins a contest on who will survive in staying the night in the haunted Laperal Mansion in Baguio City. Lovi stars with Gabby Concepion and Iza Calzado in this horror outing produced by Regal Films.

Lovi is also set to star in an afternoon soap entitled “Little Star” in which she will star with Jennylyn Mercado and Mark Anthony Fernandez.

Lovi will also be making a guest appearance in the new primetime soap, “Beauty Queen,” which started yesterday on GMA-7. Lovi will play the young Elizabeth Oropesa, a newly crowned beauty queen whose dreams are shattered.

What’s next for Lovi? Well, she’s set to appear in the remake of “Temptation Island” under the direction of Chris Martinez. She is also set to do her own dramatic movie. Her third album/CD is also in the works.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Oct. 19, go to Christian Bautista, Archbishop Diosdado Talamayan, Dr. Mita Pardo de Tavera, Joyce Jimenez, Chit Sambile, Beth T. Sioseco, Noel Colet, Odelle and Kyle Concepcion, Peachy Gonzalez, Jinky Chua Peralta, Pedrito Diga, Anna Nina A. Lorbes, and Ms. Eimee Edralin Cragun… Happy wedding anniversary to Tony and Lilian Cruz… MB’s Alexander ‘Xandy’ G. Velasco and Sarah Jane Hilomen will wed today at St. Michael’s Chapel in Eden Nature Park, Toril, Davao City, reception follows at the Vista Restaurant…