Former DENR Secretary and Manila Mayor Lito Atienza said that the only way we can bring back the golden years of the local movie industry is for the government to subsidize movie production.He said that in other countries, the movie industry is subsidized from a minimum of 50% to 100%. “That’s the only way the industry can survive competition with foreign movies which are highly budgeted!”
The Metro Manila Film Festival originated from Manila, then known as the Manila Film Festival – initiated by then Mayor Antonio J. Villegas – and then expanded by then First Lady Imelda Marcos to become the Metro Manila Film Festival.
During the nine-year term of Atienza as Manila mayor, the Manila Film Festival was successfully held every month of June, as part of the city’s annual celebration of its foundation.
“I could not imagine a country without a movie industry,” Atienza earlier said when the industry began facing acute financing problems and marketing.
Tourism is what Atienza will enhance, given the opportunity to become once again the father of the City of Manila. For instance, he would pursue claiming back the city’s administration of Intramuros.
“We have started claiming Intramuros long before,” Atienza said. The historical Intramuros has been under the administration of the Department of Tourism (DoT) for quite a long time.
Under the City Hall, Intramuros can accelerate its development as the prime historical tourism and entertainment destination in the country.
“I would also transform Baywalk along Roxas Blvd. as a wholesome entertainment strip,” Atienza said. “People can go there and watch or listen to live music provided by the country’s top performers as well as upcoming ones.”
The Baywalk was stripped of any form of entertainment installations or kiosks by Mayor Fred Lim when he took over the city’s chief executive office. Mayor Lim also installed more decorative lights along Roxas Blvd.
“I will improve the lighting along Roxas Blvd.,” Atienza said. “I’ll make the lights brighter so that snatchers or robbers will not stalk the area and victimize innocent people who go there for entertainment.”
Another project which Atienza will resume is the weekly production of the TV program “Maynila” which deals on various improvements of the city along a storyline that is entertaining. “It also helped developed actors, writers, and other productions and creative staff.”
When Atienza was still the mayor, he converted Avenida Rizal from Carriedo St. to Claro M. Recto a promenade, covering the street with colorful tiles. Business was adversely affected along the area because passenger jeepneys and taxis were not allowed to enter or pass through.
Atienza said he would improve the same portion of the road, making it more pedestrian-friendly while at the same time cater to commercial transportation.
While his son Kim would help him in his political campaign, Atienza said that Kim has already found his niche in showbiz, and it is very unlikely that he would leave his showbiz career. “In fact, I am already being introduced as the father of Kim,” the former mayor said.
Source: www.mb.com.ph
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