On September 27, 2013, that was Friday, a certain cluster of junior Mass Communication students of our university, Far Eastern University - Manila, had the chance to visit Pambansang Museo ng Pelikula c/o MOWELFUND.
By the time our professor announced in class the so-called "field trip" to MOWELFUND, I felt excited. Why not? It will be my first time. And I know that there will be lots of things to learn there about Philippine Cinema.
Located in Rosario Drive, Cubao, Quezon City, MOWELFUND isn't that hard to find. From Betty-Go Belmonte LRT Station, you may take a short distance tricycle ride or you take a walk to reach the place. Promise, it is just walking distance from the train station. Plus, I have the impression that it is safe to walk around there because primarily the community looks clean and well-maintained. Maybe because it is somewhere in the residence area of those families that are somehow well-off. Although I thought at first, and for some reason, that I might get lost in Cubao so I had to utilize my GPS tracker just to be sure that I still know where in the Philippines I am going. But okay fine, that's another story. :)
GOING BACK TO MOWELFUND.
To make the long story short and so much for an introduction, we started the "field trip" with a short but sweet talk from Ms. Boots Anson-Roa. Ms. Anson-Roa herself is an actress and is concurrently the President of MOWELFUND Management Committee. It was an honor to hear Ms. Anson-Roa sharing her thoughts and knowledge about how Philippine Cinema is doing. She made us informed what MOWELFUND really is. As I said, it was only a short talk but an enough one for an introduction to our "trip." And oh yes, I was inspired by this. :)
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Ms. Boots Anson-Roa when she did her talk
infront of FEU's juniors in MOWELFUND
lobby area. |
By 10:45 AM, we started our tour around the museum. Since MOWELFUND is a non-profit organization, I didn't expect much on its facilities. What I'm after is its content. True enough, it has a lot to offer especially to us, Mass Comm students, who are in the midst of deciding of whether or not we'll go towards the course of Movie Industry.
I admire the fact that MOWELFUND holds and keeps lots and lots of Philippine Cinema memorabilia from way, way back. Most of the information that we learned in our Cinema class about Philippine Cinema history is there. From the time of
Cinematografo Walgraph, rise of the Philippine films in the early 1930's, the movies during the Japanese era, and up until the produced films of the present times - these pieces of information can be found in the museum. Just minus the 3D and other digitized movie production. I don't remember them having this. But nevertheless, if what you're after is a firsthand experience of Philippine Cinema history, then I recommend this place.
The three or four-storey building (Honestly, I lost count. I was just so into the tour that I forgot which floor I was in.) was divided into rooms. I failed to notice the name of first room division that we first entered which basically contained introduction on how films reached the Philippines back in the time of Spaniards. But the rest of the rooms there are: World War II Room, Studio Room, Star Room, Genre Room, 70's Room, and Horror Room (a gift from Mr. German "Kuya Germs" Moreno) among others. And if Hollywood has its "Walk of Fame" MOWELFUND has its "Movie Stairs."
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| Movie Stairs |
These rooms display actual props and costumes, posters, photos, magazines, actual sound dubber and editing machine, actual old TV and radio, actual old moviola (a device that allows film editor to view film while editing. It was the first machine for motion picture editing), plaques, awards, trophies and all other collectibles. It was a great feeling every time I enter from one room to another. I dunno. There was this feeling of hunger and thirst for film history that was gradually satisfied every time I exit one room then enter another. Well, not completely satisfied yet because the more that I learn things like this, the more that I crave for knowledge. But somehow, the dipper of knowledge in that field of interest started to be filled with important substances.
My favorites are the 70's Room and the one I called the "FPJ Space Area" (I forgot how they call it but this is the one at the lobby area where it holds lots of FPJ stuff and memorabilia). For one, I like the 70's Room because I was amazed by the photos on the wall of then stars of the 70's. I was amazed simply because most of the actors and actresses in that wall are familiar to me. I mean, by name, IF I would read the caption. But by face, most of them looked differently compared to how they appear now on screen (of course due to age and time). The actors that I find really stunning and special, based on the wall photos, are Charo Santos, Boots Anson-Roa, Christopher De Leon, Edgar Mortiz, Pilar Pilapil and Vilma Santos among others.
The one I called the "FPJ Space Area" (sounds dramatic and special, eh?) is also remarkable to me simply because it houses FPJ stuff. A lot of interesting and informative bits and pieces that would lead us to know more about FPJ's reel life. (Note: FPJ stands for Fernando Poe Jr. who's also colloquially known as "Da King," He was a Filipino actor, director and producer. He died in 2004 due to, according to what his doctors described as, cerebral thrombosis with multiple organ failure. He was also hailed as the King of Philippine Movies.)
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| A Selfie-pic with Da King |
Overall, the MOWELFUND experience was great and informative. Because of the tour, I became more appreciative of Philippine movies. Yeah, I'm guilty when it comes to not patronizing Filipino films. I love watching movies, but I mostly watch the foreign films. So after all of these, I recognized that I must start watching and re-discovering the films of our own".
I can't remember how long it took us to complete the entire tour, including our stroll to the Paradise of Stars (this can be found in the garden area where you can see life-size standees of actors). All I can remember is the feeling of gratefulness that there are people who initiated to preserve our country's film history. I just hope that more people will support MOWELFUND to keep it going and to survive its operation. Then it suddenly occurred to me that in time, I will do my best to help MOWELFUND. I dunno how will I do that but I know that time will come in God's grace. You might be wondering why. Well, through Ms. Anson-Roa's talk and I also did further research, I realized that MOWELFUND is something more than a museum and a film institute. Here's why:
According to their
website, MOWELFUND stands for MOVIE WORKERS WELFARE FOUNDATION, INC., a non-stock, non-profit social welfare, educational, and industry development foundation organized and established in 1974.
It was founded by then San Juan Mayor and President of the Philippine Motion Picture Producers Association (PMPPA) Joseph E. Estrada for the welfare of workers in the
Philippine motion picture industry.
It has expanded the Manila Film Festival to become the now-popular Metro Manila Film Festival Philippines (MMFFP). It also helped rationalize the movie industry with its contributions in creating agencies like the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) and reorganizing the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB). Mowelfund has also initiated the campaign against film and video piracy.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
The Institute is a response to the need to raise consciousness among filmmakers and audiences for a better film culture in the country. It adheres to the following objectives:
▪ Develop a wider base of filmmakers
▪ Develop alternative film venues
▪ Develop wider film usage
The MOWELFUND FILM INSTITUTE (MFI) is the educational arm of the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation, Inc. (MOWELFUND). It is a unique film training center in Southeast Asia that caters to the needs of the mainstream film industry and independent cinema.
Since its inception in 1979, MFI is proud of its dedication to film education, its willingness to innovate, and its passion for film, not only as a medium of
entertainment, but as a very powerful visual and communication art form always in evolution. Distinguished local and foreign lecturers are invited to conduct
workshops and seminars, which attract students from top universities,
professionals from the film industry and film enthusiasts.
Mowelfund Film Institute (MFI) is proud of its students who overcome limitations and make films that are short but full of independent visions and newfound voices. In educating the young artists, it approaches the fulfillment of this dream. Within its embrace, a new movement in Philippine Cinema is born – the Cinema of the Young.
Its alumni have won awards for their innovative works in local and international short film festivals. A number have figured prominently in mainstream cinema and independent cinema, among others, Cannes Film Festival awardees
Raymond Red, Brillante Mendoza, and other headliners Nick Deocampo, Lav Diaz, Yam Laranas, Mark Meily, Joey Agbayani, Armando “Bing” Lao, Jon Red, Rox Lee, Topel Lee, Neil Daza, Robert Quebral, Mel Bacani, Ellen Ramos, Paolo Villaluna, Ricky Orellana, Auraeus Solito, Cesar Hernando, Larry Manda, Odyssey Flores, Sari Dalena, Kiri Dalena, Ogie Sugatan, Mike Alcazaren, Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil, Ditsi Carolino, Jo Atienza, Regiben Romana, Albert Banzon, Shane Sarte and Rica Arevalo.
SOCIAL WELFARE
MOWELFUND’s Social Welfare Program aims to help the indigent and
underemployed movie workers who work on a per-picture basis such as stuntmen, bit players, technicians, checkers, make-up artists, cameramen, props men, and other film crew members who do not have private insurance coverages and SSS benefits.
For the past 37 years, MOWELFUND has extended medical aid to more than 4,400 members and death aid to more than 700 beneficiaries.
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BELOW ARE SOME OF THE PHOTOS I TOOK IN THE MOWELFUND.
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With Charlie Chaplin.
"Whatcha lookin' at huh?" |
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| Movie editing machine |
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| Sound dubber machine |
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The Moviola. A device that allows film editor to view film
while editing. It was the first machine for motion picture editing |
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This trophy of FPJ is literally a BIG award.
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| Paradise of STARS. |
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