DENR Secretary Lito Atienza

Former 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.

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Iriga City celebrates Tinagba Festival 2010

Starting on Friday, Feb. 5, Iriga City celebrates its annual Tinagba Festival which runs till Feb. 11. Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen and the Irigueños have been busy preparing for this grand celebration a few weeks back. They invite everyone to visit Iriga City to celebrate with them the Tinagba Festival.

The Tinagba Festival is an ancient Bicol first harvest offering that features a caravan of gaily decorated bull carts and motorized floats. It also features revelers in mardi gras and native costumes who dance and parade around the city.

The highlight of this week-long festival is a spectacular street parade competition on Feb. 11 which coincides with the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Other highlights of the event include the Character Float Parade, the 2010 Tinagba Gayon Bicol Festival of Festivals Showdown (moving choreography) where nine contingents will participate, the 2010 Tinagba Gayon Bicol Festival of Festivals Showdown (exhibition proper), musicians exhibition of competing contingents, fantillusion parade, awarding ceremonies, fireworks display and the ceremonial turn-over of Gayon Bicol Pinnacle.

Iriga City is a fast-growing urban center in the Bicol Peninsula which offers breathtaking natural wonders, a safe community, and the warm company of kind, creative people. It is known as the City of Crystal Clear Springs (it has more than 30 natural springs spread everywhere in this booming city. It is also famous for its most prominent natural landmark, the majestic Mt. Iriga that offers a captivating view of the entire Bicol River basin area.

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Imelda Papin, Mommy D show at Aliw a big success

“One Special Celebration,” headlined by international performer and recording artist Imelda Papin, was a big success. The Aliw Theater was jampacked with Imelda Papin fans and friends and celebrities that included former First Lady Imelda Marcos, Dept. of Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes, vice presidential candidate Jay Sonza, senatorial aspirant Rey Langit, Justice Regalado Maambong, Annabelle Rama, German Moreno, KBL Chair Vic Millora, former Minister Jess Tanchanco, GMA-7 executive Wilma Galvante, Dr. James Dy, Alice Cabahug, and Daisy Romualdez, among others.

Needless to say, the former Jukebox Queen was warmly welcomed but what also made the crowd roar with excitement was the performance of Mommy Dionisia Pacquiao (fondly called Mommy D) who not only did a duet with her idol but also displayed her terpsichorean skills. Mommy D also rendered a solo song number. She expressed pride and delight that she has realized a dream – to share the same stage with her idol, Imelda Papin.

The opening act was by the wacky Big Three Sullivans who kept the audience in stitches with their antics. Joining the birthday celebrator on stage were her sisters Gloria and Aileen who flew in from Las Vegas and regaled the concert goers with their duet, and was later joined in by Imelda doing an energetic medley, showing that indeed, they share the same musical genes. Adding drama and spectacle to the production is the world-acclaimed UE Silanganan Dance Troupe composed of 15 dancers, under the tutelage of Gener Karingal, himself a name to reckon with in the artistic and cultural community.

The concert culminated with the singing of the song “One,” a song for unity and change, which is also echoed in Imelda’s slogan “Magkaisa na Tayo,” with images of Philippine events dramatically flashed on screen, with the audience rising to their feet and joining in the singing. The Undisputed Jukebox Queen was later joined onstage by the cast and prominent personalities who sang “Happy Birthday” (Mel marked her special day last Jan. 26). Shouts of “senador, senador” also emanated from the crowd. Imelda was urged by well-meaning friends, family and Filipinos residing in the Philippines and abroad to run for the Senate, noting of the many programs and projects that she has undertaken while she was the vice governor of Camarines Sur, thus, earning for her the “Most Outstanding Vice Governor in the Philippines” award.

The show was made possible by Asia Brewery, Inc., Tanduay Distillers, Inc., Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Mr. Louie Gamboa of Erase Placenta (3-in-1 Magic Soap), Dr. Tam Mateo of Dr. Tam’s Health Products, Oscar Parel of 618 International Entertainment, Inc., Ms. Veronica Lim of Benjamin Construction Equipment, Inc., Manila Forwarder, Mang Inasal, Mrs. Pua of Lily’s Peanut Butter, Silver Swan Products, YJC, FKC International, Inc., Emmanuel Razo of Buzzworks Trading, Masuki, Lucky Me, Niño del Valle Hair Salon, Quantum ’N Plus, Tupuro Water Purifier, Mr. & Mrs. Connie Helgen of Red Coconut and Hotel in Boracay, Mr. Jun de la Cruz of F&S Tailoring, IBC 13, GMA Network, ABS-CBN, Universal Records and Viva Entertainment, Inc.

The people behind the production were Randy Rufino and Jobert Sucaldito as directors, Bobby Papin as technical director, Manny Balane as head writer and Pepsi Guerrero as voice-over announcer.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Feb. 5 go to twins Martin and Vicky Nievera, internationally renowned folk singer/composer Freddie Aguilar, Cesar Campos, Jake Maderazo of RMN Dzxl 558 kHz AM, Michael Lovey, Abraham de Vera, Annette Uy, Myra Manibog, Jenny Miller of Star Magic, and ABS-CBN talent Cristine Reyes.