PHL Consulate General & DOT in LA Promote Film Tourism in the Philippines

(Back, L-R) Mr. Rey Cuerdo, Vice President, Business Affairs Administration  of Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisition, Consul General Adelio Cruz, Mr. Michael Shutello of Stone, Genow, Smelkinson, Bindeer & Christopher LLP, Mr. Peter James Cayetano Mchugh, Producer/Manager of The Gotham Group

and Mr. Ruben Nepales, Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA)

 (Front, L-R) Cultural Officer Wilma Bautista, Ms. Fay Lena Castro, Assistant Director of PDOT-LA and

Mrs. Janet Nepales of HFPA

07 August 2017, LOS ANGELES – The Philippine Consulate General, together with the  Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) in Los Angeles met with Filipino movers and shakers in Hollywood at the Consulate General and discussed ways to promote the Philippines as an ideal destination for filming movies or editorial spreads.

The meeting was attended by couple Ruben and Janet Nepales of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association; Mr. Rey Cuerdo, Vice President, Business Affairs Administration of Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions; Mr. Michael Shutello of Stone, Genow, Smelkinson, Binder & Christopher LLP; and Mr. Peter James Cayetano Mchugh, Producer/Manager of The Gotham Group.

According to PDOT-LA, the proposed project which Ms. Nepales appropriately called “Project Hollywood” have two parts:  a Business Mission/Event followed by an Invitational Familiarization trip. 

PDOT-LA will organize a business mission for film stakeholders from the Philippines to come and meet with Hollywood moviemakers in Los Angeles to establish networks with counterparts, and to encourage Hollywood moviemakers to do filming in the Philippines.

Separately and after the business mission, PDOT-LA will invite interested producers to visit the Philippines for a familiarization trip.  PDOT-LA is open to arrange several familiarization travels to accommodate as many prospective Hollywood movie makers.

During the meeting, the group agreed that although the Philippines is prime prospect for Hollywood due to the high exchange rate for the US Dollar, English competence of Filipino workers, presence of top-notch talents and directors and diverse areas and resources, for location shoots.  The group further stated that the Philippines will have a great chance to market the country to film investors if it can provide production incentives to foreign film makers.

PDOT-LA mentioned that actor Mr. Cesar Montano, now Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Tourism Promotions Board Philippines is very interested in pursuing this project.  PDOT-LA further stated that Mr. Montano and Undersecretary Katherine de Castro will visit Los Angeles in August 2017 and a meeting with both shall be arranged.

For more information, visit www.philippineconsulatela.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinLA\. END.