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INABOT ng fifteen years bago nagkaroon ng katuparan ang matagal nang pangarap ng Fil-Am Hollywood actor na si Abe Pagtama na magkaroon ng Los Angeles Philippine International Film Festival. “I started thinking about having a Filipino film festival in LA, about 15 years ago. The idea come to me when I found out that every Asian country has their own film festival in LA,” saad ni Sir Abe na isa sa founder ng Los Angeles Philippine International Film Festival (LAPIFF).
Dagdag pa niya, “LAPIFF is an organization devoted to the advancement, development and showcase of Filipino filmmakers/artists around the world through film, providing the global community of entertainment professionals and film goers with consistent annual screening events and workshops. LAPIFF provides charitable scholarships and a forum where Filipino filmmakers/artists can be recognized for their gifts, have open discussions about their movies and connect with industry professionals for understanding on production, distribution, representation and acquirement.
“Sabi ko nga sa mga kasama ko, we’re so talented na what would happen to the world without Filipinos? Kasi globally, we’re nurses, we’re maritimes, what would happen to the world kung wala nang mga marino, what would happen to the world kung walang nurses, walang accountant… Walang mangyayari sa mundo kung wala ang mga Filipino.
“So with that, alam kong maraming istorya sa atin na puwede nating gawin. Kung ma-introduce ko iyan sa Amerika, who we are, baka magkakaron ng interest na ‘Oh, we have to talk more about Filipinos, we have to talk more about who they are.’ Kasi ang nangyayari sa America ngayon yung tinatawag nilang white washing. Wala silang istorya na iba, na kaming mga Filipino-American na actor, we don’t get that much role. Pero kung makikita nila, marami palang istorya, puwedeng mag-open ng doors itong LAFIPP. And walang gagawang iba nito kundi Filipino rin, e. You can’t wait for the white people na gagawin ito, kailangan tayo talaga ang gumawa.”
Sa August 18 nila iaanunsiyo ang mga kalahok na pelikulang papasok dito. Bukod kay Sir Abe, ang LAPIFF founder ay sina Gabe Pagtama, Jush Andowitt, Fe Koons, at Adrian Licaros. Ang Selection Committee ay binubuo nina Winston Emano, David Maquiling, Janice Villarosa, Walter Boholtz, Oliver Carney, Marie Jamora. Bahagi naman ng Special Committee sina Atty. Jamella Neetles, Sweeney Mae Montinella, Adrian Lecaros, at Rey Cuerdo.
Ang LAPIFF ay gaganapin sa October 7 to 9, 2016 sa Cinemark Theater, South Bay Pavillion Mall, Carson CA, USA. Kabilang sa sponsors nila ang GMA PinoyTV, GMA LifeTV, GMA NewsTV, Dare to Care For the Homeless, Cinemark, at iba pa.
ALAM MO NA! – Nonie V. Nicasio
