Film tourism is now trending here in the Philippines, indie and mainstream movies are taking the audience to a train or bus or ferry ride around the beautiful islands of the Philippines. I remember that the movie Batanes, a film directed by Adolf Alix and Dave Hukom and starring Iza Calzado and F4 member Ken Chu, their movie highlighted the beautiful Batanes, they are the first to take everyone for a ride and showcase the island's beauty in the silver screen. Batanes is not yet that popular during 2007, but after the release of the movie, many got curious and went to Batanes to witness its beauty first hand.
According to Ken Chu, who was awarded as tourism ambassador of Batanes by the local government of Batanes, I was there during its awarding in 2007 and Ken said that the island of Batanes is beautiful and he said that we should not spoil it and not take out its beauty. We don't have the right to destroy it. We should leave as it is.
Then on 2014, the movie That Thing Called Tadhana became popular for "hugot" moments or the art of moving on after a heart break, the movie became one of the 1st to start the trend of film tourism, Im not sure if there are others, but for me I remember That Thing Called Tadhana trended in all social media and I believe the film tourism energy kick started from that movie.
What is Cine Turismo?
Cine Turismo is a new campaign by our Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) and the Department of Toruism. Its a campaign to help indie films to produce their movies with the help of TPB and DOT by helping them engage in the local community, LGU and also get access easily to these island, They only need to get approval and also the most important thing is that the movie promotes positivism and helps boost tourism promotion of the Philippines.
Cine Turismo was launch officially yesterday, headed by TPB Chief Operating Officer Cesar Montano. At the launch of Cine Turismo, TPB and DOT gave a recognition award to 10 films produced and released last 2016 and 2017 and that were loved by many because of the good portrayal of the Philippines in their movies.
The launch of Cine Turismo is a timely move by the TPB in light of the pending Film Tourism Bill (SB 1330) sponsored by Sen. Grace Poe and introduced by Sen. Sonny Angara. The bill is about helping the local community in getting jobs by international and local film makers, and this can help the economy grow and help the country be known more internationally. The bill will entitle the film makers get incentive from the government for showcasing the Philippines as a great destination rich of historical and cultural heritage.
According to Cesar Montano - "Film tourism is a steadily growing industry in the country. This project is created to acknowledge the many films and film makers that through their wonderful portrayals of the Philippines, have aroused interest and boosted tourism in local tourist spots"
We talked to Cesar Montano that day and I gave a suggestion that they should add online videos and Youtube in the future. He said that it was a great idea because Youtube is the best platform to showcase a film and promote the beauty of the Philippines.
I told him that they should include documentaries, indie films and history films created by young and talented or soon to be film makers who are active and passionate in making movies on Youtube. He agrees, and then let's hope that our suggestion gets materialize.
The honorees have been chosen based on this criteria for Cine Turismo
1. Made by a Filipino production house
2. Full length film min of 75 minute
3. Commercially released within the last two years
4. Shown in the Philippines or in International film festivals
5. Showcases the destination extensively or must be setting for majority of the scenes
6. Portrays the country in a positive manner, provides a general awareness of the locale and has created a positive impact on the community and perception of its people
7. Promoted and preserved culture and heritage and reflects the country's history, enriches values and traits such as resilience, the Bayanihan spirit, hospitatlity and patriotism
8. Inspired and excited the viewer to visit the country and must have induced travel among movie goers
9. Generated revenues and created jobs in their locations, as well as new trade and business
Here are the 1st films that received the Cine Turismo honors
I found my heart in Santa Fe by Director Bona Fajardo - shot in Bantayan Island
Siargao by Director Paul Soriano - shot in Siargao Islands
Sakaling Hindi Makarating by Director Ice Idanan - shot in Ilocos, Siquijor, Batanes and Zamboanga
Camp Sawi by Director Irene Villamor - shot in Bantayan Island
Kiko Boksingero by Director Thop Nazareno - shot in Baguio
Lakbay 2 Love by Director Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil - shot in Timberland height and Benguet
Apocalypse Child by Director Mario Cornejo - shot in Baler
Patay na si Hesus by Director Victor Villanueva - shot in Cebu
Requited by Director Nerissa Picadizo - shot in My Pinatubo
Cine Turismo gave special citations to these Korean films
Romantic Island by Director Cheol-Woo Kang - shot in Boracay
Mango Tree by Director Lee Soo-Sung - shot in Cebu
They've started already and they will be searching now for the next Cine Turismo awardee for 2018. If you are a film maker and want to film around the island and showcase its beauty and have a story with characters that was affected by a Philippines destination, then you should contact TPB and ask for some assistance to your film, they are ready to help, give a grant, and sponsor, to help the film makers, especially indie film makers, to lessen production cost.
Thanks for reading my post, let's support these films and if ever there's a new one, tara let;s watch and there might be a new featured island that needs to be appreciated.
