SHOWTIME FOR THE PHILIPPINES: HOW FILIPINO FILMS CAN SHINE GLOBALLY

SHOWTIME FOR THE PHILIPPINES: HOW FILIPINO FILMS CAN SHINE GLOBALLY

Something remarkable is happening on our screens. Filipino movies and series are no longer confined to local cinemas or late-night television—they are now showing up on global platforms like Netflix. Over 50 titles and counting. From indie gems to polished productions, the Philippines is quietly but steadily entering the world stage.

But here’s the thing: this momentum needs more than applause—it needs a push. The global video streaming market, already worth over half a trillion dollars, is projected to balloon to $2.66 trillion by 2032, according to market forecasts. That's an 18.7% annual growth rate. In simpler terms: we’re in the middle of a gold rush, and we can’t afford to be standing on the sidelines with a camera and no budget.

Don’t Just Celebrate—Support

Other countries are already sprinting. Governments offer grants, tax breaks, and logistical help to boost their content industries and even attract foreign productions. We must do the same—but better and with Filipino flair. Prominent players like ABS-CBN and GMA Network, along with our many independent filmmakers, deserve more than applause. They need financial support, soft loans, and production-friendly policies that empower them to scale up their output without compromising quality.

Let the FDCP and FAP Do More

We already have key institutions in place—the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP). But they're running on limited budgets while carrying enormous expectations. Let’s boost their funding so they can extend programs like FLIP (Film Location Incentive Program) and provide meaningful support to filmmakers at all levels. It’s time we stop asking them to do more with less.

Exporting More Than Just Beauty

Yes, our beaches are stunning. Our rice terraces are postcard perfect. And yes, they make great backdrops. But we’re not just selling scenery—we’re exporting stories, culture, and creativity. Filipino actors, directors, writers, and producers are world-class. If we market them right, the Philippines could become a sought-after destination for international co-productions. Think of it as the soft power equivalent of mangoes and remittances—only this time, it's cultural capital with global reach.

Collaborate to Compete

The global success of Hollywood, Bollywood, and Hallyu (Korea’s cultural wave) didn’t happen in isolation. They were built through strategic collaborations—co-productions, distribution deals, training exchanges, and joint ventures. Filipino creatives should be equipped and encouraged to pursue similar alliances. Imagine a Filipino Korean sci-fi drama. Or a Filipino American historical thriller. Or even a Southeast Asian horror anthology that goes viral. These aren’t pipe dreams—they’re untapped markets.

A Strategy, Not Just Hope

If we truly want to go global, we can’t just rely on “viral” hits or wait for another miracle festival win. We need a film export strategy—complete with marketing budgets, international distribution subsidies, and strong participation in global film festivals. We should be planting our flag not only at Cannes, Berlinale, and Venice—but also in newer venues like Busan, Toronto, and even the Oscars. Let the world know that Filipino storytelling travels well.

Telling the Filipino Story, Globally

We’ve already shown we can produce globally resonant content. Shows like Gameboys, Family of Two, and Outside have found their way into international viewership—because they’re honest, heartfelt, and human. Filipino stories, when told well, cut across borders. Now imagine what more we could achieve if those stories were better funded, better distributed, and better supported by policy.

The Next Act: A Task Force for Film

Here’s a simple proposal, that we form a presidential task force that brings together the FDCP, FAP, DFA, DTI, DOT, and major industry stakeholders like ABS-CBN and GMA. Let’s sit everyone at the same table and plan a national strategy—not just to promote Filipino films, but to create an ecosystem where world-class productions are the norm, not the exception.

Filipino films are more than entertainment—they are ambassadors of our identity, our humor, our pain, our dreams. Let’s give them the stage they deserve.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com

07-18-2025