12 February 2015 - The Philippine Embassy in Dili organized special invitational screenings of select Filipino films in Timor-Leste on January 29 and 31, and on February 01 at the auditorium of Fundação Oriente.
The screenings were part of the vigorous efforts of the Embassy to forge stronger cultural and people-to-people ties between the Philippines and Timor-Leste through the potent power of cinema.
For this cultural diplomacy initiative, the Embassy invited Timorese government officials, Timorese nationals who graduated from Philippine colleges and universities, as well as members of the Filipino community in Timor-Leste.
Viewers were treated to an array of finely crafted Filipino films which included Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes’ ”Sonata”, Alvin Yapan’s “Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa”, Jeffrey Jeturian’s “Ekstra”, and Jose Javier Reyes’ “Ano ang Kulay ng mga Nakalimutang Pangarap”.
Both Filipino and Timorese audience reacted positively to the movies presented, laughing at comedic moments, and shedding tears during the dramatic sequences. The Timorese viewers were particularly appreciative of the films and even commented that the Timorese and Filipino people share common values and aspirations. They also noted the remarkable cinematography and other technical details of Philippine cinema.
Such was the mass appeal of the movies that the Embassy had to schedule a special screening on February 08.
The screenings were made possible through the invaluable assistance of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) which provided the copies of the movies after obtaining permission from the filmmakers. Created pursuant to Republic Act No. 9167, the FDCP is a “government-backed lead agency for film in the Philippines” with the mission of making “Philippine cinema the pre-eminent instrument for the enrichment of Filipino culture and the articulation of the Filipino identity.”
In her opening remarks during the first screening, Philippine Ambassador to Timor-Leste Maria Aileen H. Bugarin highlighted the immense support and assistance extended by the FDCP.
“I wish to convey my deep appreciation to FDCP, under the leadership of Chairman Briccio G. Santos and Executive Director Teodoro C. Granados, for supporting this cultural diplomacy initiative of the Embassy. We hope that the film would open doors of opportunities for the Timorese to better understand and appreciate Filipino culture and society, as well as feel the rhythm of the heartbeat of the Filipino soul. We also hope that the films will help the Filipino audience reignite their emotional bond with their motherland,” Ambassador Bugarín said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs, through its Cultural Diplomacy Unit, also provided logistical support for this cultural project of the Embassy. END