Excessive taxes have always been the problem of the movie industry for a long time now. It’s a fact that among the filmmaking countries of the world, it’s the Philippine film industry that’s been saddled with heavy taxes, so heavy that the industry has suffered a slump that has displaced movie workers.
But with the amusement taxes being reduced slowly as a result of our lawmakers’ efforts to help the entertainment industry revive itself, movie denizens now see a glimmer of hope.

“We are grateful to all the lawmakers who supported the bill that will significantly help the movie industry. Because of the reduction in the amusement tax, producers will be encouraged to produce more films and will consequently result in more jobs for members of the entertainment industry,” says Orly Ilacad, president of the Philippine Motion Pictures Producers Association (PMPPA).

Local movies continue to be a source of pride and entertainment for Filipinos. Locally produced films have consistently gotten the nod of various international award-giving bodies, while watching movies remains among the top choices of entertainment among the Filipinos. Despite these however, the number of local movies continue to decline, year after year.

“In the 1990s, an average of 160 films were produced annually. However, in the year 2000, only 80 films were produced. It dipped further in 2007 where only 47 films were produced. With this bill, we are confident that the number of locally-produced films will increase significantly,” shares Ilacad.

“Nowadays, with only a meager percentage of earnings left to producers, producing films not only becomes unprofitable but more so, impractical,” Ilacad adds.

To arrest the slide, the movie industry has tirelessly lobbied for the passage of a bill that will save the industry and the roughly 300,000 people that it employs.

The industry's efforts did not go unrewarded. On Jan. 26, 2009, House Bill 5624 (HB 5624) was passed on 3rd reading by the House of Representatives. HB 5624 will reduce the amusement tax on local films from 30 percent to not more than 10 percent.

The passage of the bill was made possible through the efforts of several lawmakers headed by Speaker Prospero Nograles, Reps. Rufus Rodriguez, Roilo Golez, Irwin Tieng, Al Francis Bichara, Mikey Arroyo, George Arnaiz, chairman of the Committee on Local Government, Exequiel Javier, chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means and Arthur Defensor Sr., chairman, Committee on Rules.

The Senate version of the bill, which was unanimously passed on third reading last June 11, 2008, was authored by Senators Manny Villar, Loren Legarda, Chiz Escudero, Bong Revilla and Noynoy Aquino.

With the tax reduction, the industry will be relieved from the burden of paying redundant taxes, which has, for the longest time, been one of the major factors why the number of locally-produced films continue to decline.

With tough competition from foreign films and the high cost of production, not to mention the unending fight versus piracy, the movie industry needs all the help it can get to keep itself afloat. The bill is certainly a welcome help, one that the industry will always be grateful for.

Local celebs join forces with the Asian Poker Tour

The celebrity participants of the recently concluded Asian Poker Tour Celebrity Charity Challenge staged a reunion of sorts at the Dusit Thani Manila Hotel. This time, however, they were joined by their respective charities as they formally handed over the cheques they won during the tournament.
Hosted by the Asian Poker Tour, the Charity Challenge was presented by Ray-Ban, FHM and JBET Poker and was attended by a who’s who in Philippine showbiz industry. Among those present at the cheque handover ceremony were Troy Montero, Aubrey Miles, Drew Arellano, Bianca Gonzales, Shai Bermudez-Hizon, Lara Morena, Gary Lising, Erik Mana, and of course, the Celebrity Charity Challenge champions, the Playgirls.

The celebrities’ chosen charities also came in full force, with the Ciara Marie Foundation the beneficiary of the largest cheque of the day: R105,000. “It’s always a wonderful feeling to be able to give back,” said the Playgirls. “The Ciara Marie Foundation is very close to our hearts and we’ll do everything we can to help the charity fulfill its mission of assisting underprivileged sectors with health care and medical missions.”

Drew Arellano and Bianca Gonzales accepted the combined second and third place cheque of R80,000 from Troy Montero and Aubrey Miles on behalf of the Help the Kids Learn Project – a project created by Bianca Gonzales to help promote education to underprivileged children. Other recipient charities also in attendance included Operation Smile Philippines, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Philippine National Red Cross, the KIDS Foundation and Project Brave Kids.

For those who missed the tournament, everyone can relive the action of the 2009 Asian Poker Tour Philippines on television. The highly-anticipated Final Table of the 2009 Asian Poker Tour Philippines will be shown on March 23 and 30, 11:45 p.m. on C/S9 and March 24 and 31, 11 p.m. on Solar Sports.

The Celebrity Charity Challenge Cheque Handover Ceremony culminated a highly successful tournament for the Asian Poker Tour. After the official ceremony ended, the celebrities and charities in attendance were treated to a sneak preview of the upcoming TV coverage of the charity tournament. As the celebrities reminisced back to that fateful night in late January, some couldn’t keep their excitement in check in anticipation of the next Asian Poker Tour event.

“I can’t wait for the next one,” said Troy Montero.

The Asian Poker Tour has been licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation. The Asian Poker Tour is supported by the iPoker Network, Titan, Dafa Poker, PKR, PartyPoker, Everest Poker, 888, JBet Poker, Japanese Poker League, 32 Red Poker, Microgaming Network and the National Poker League. Full details can be found at http://www.asianpt.com/.

FDCP to attend HK film event

The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) will be attending the forthcoming Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART 2009) with Chairman Rolando “Jacky” Atienza leading the Philippine delegation which will compose of filmmakers Albert Almendralejo, Joji Alonzo, Jeffrey Jeturian, Bing Lao, Mitchelle Moreno, Senedy Que, Sherad Anthony Sanchez, Richard Somes and Margie Templo among others. The event will be held on March 23-26.

Together with the Animation Council of the Philippines (ACPI), the FDCP will set up a booth which will sell the Philippines as the ideal filming location site in Asia. They will also take part in the promotion and distribution of local films during FILMART 2009. This endeavor will be under the leadership of Cinemalaya and CCP Pres. Nestor Jardin.

Local service providers will also be represented: Unitel by Tito Velasco; SQ Laboratory by Angelo Santos; Torch Productions, Philippine Producers Network and Radiant Era by Jo-Ann Banaga.

The event also includes the HAF module (Hong Kong Asia Film Financing) wherein three Filipino filmmakers have been invited to pitch their projects. They are Adolf Alix, Jr., Brillante Mendoza and Francis Pasion.

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, March 20, go to singer Dessa, Nellie Yap, Ronnie Tabora, Jun Suarez, Mrs. Josie Saddul, Arnel Martin, Bob Serrano, Buboy Madrilejos, Nenette Young, Carol Bautista, Zardo Austria, Cindy Macatangay, Therese Lorraine Lizardo of New Jersey, USA, and MB’s PR officer Badette Cunanan…