PR-15-2022 
12 April 2022

Online Film Showing: Climate Change and Our Environment

The Philippine Consulate General in Melbourne, in collaboration with Cinema Rehiyon 14, a flagship project of the National Commission on Culture and the Arts’ National Committee on Cinema, organized on 8-9 April 2022 an online film showing on the theme “Climate Change and Our Environment.”

The films consisted of CITSALP by Jean E. Evangelista (2021; 2 mins); Why the World Needs Coral Reefs by Ramon del (2021; 6 mins); Sugdan Ko (It Starts With Me) by Cloyd Ribo (2021; 11 mins), and Alon by Gabrielle Fernandez (2020; 57 mins).

The screening via Facebook took place on 8 April 2022. On the following day, 9 April 2022, a post-screening discussion was held and participated in by the filmmakers, actors, producers, film directors, and personnel of the Philippine Consulate General.

The project aimed to highlight societal problems in the Philippines, this time focusing on climate change and the environment.

Consul General Maria Lourdes Salcedo opened the post-screening event. Mr. Butch Ybañez, the Vice-Chairperson of the National Committee on Cinema and General Manager of Solar Pictures. In their talk, they challenged filmmakers in the Philippines and elsewhere to use film in their storytelling to make necessary behavior changes among viewmakers and in the community.

Also at the forum were Rex Paragas representing the Filipino-Australian Indie Films, Keshi Sacdalan representing Melbourne-based young filmmakers, and Alfred Nicdao, who is the first Filipino actor to appear on Australian national television. The discussants pointed out the importance of the topic of all four films, citing the socio-cultural aspects revolving around the theme, and the art of filmmaking itself.

Filmmakers Jean Evangelista of CITSALP and Ramon del Prado of ‘Why the World Needs Coral Reefs’ responded to the challenge with a renewed enthusiasm and hopeful thoughts of using film as a medium for education.

Angely Chi, the festival director of Cinema Rehiyon, shared plans to bring these films to the communities to expand their reach and help tackle major social problems in the country.

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