HER appointment as chairperson of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) caused many to raise their eyebrows while some also questioned the choice of the President. But for indie film actress Liza Diño-Seguerra, these are all part of the challenges which motivate her.
“Kayo ang inspirasyon ko para pagbutihan lalo ang ginagawa ko,” she was quoted in one of her interviews.
“My main goal is really to empower regional film communities to be able to tell their unique stories and sana makarating siya sa national level and sa iba pang regions sa Pilipinas (hope it could reach the national level and other regions in the Philippines) and one way to do it is to really reach out and be closer to the community,” Liza says during a quick interview held last August 27 at Kusina sa Subli, a restaurant in Matina where she met with the members of the local film community.
Earlier during that day, she had a filmmakers’ forum attended by filmmakers and film groups such as the Cine-Madayaw, a film group based in Davao City, Kilab Multimedia- a film production group making indigenous people-centered films, representatives from various film festivals in the region (Mindanao Film Festival, Salamindanaw and the Nabunturan Independent Film Exhibition) and students from different schools and some digital media viners (social media short videos).
When asked about her appointment on the position, Liza recalled that she applied for it among the other people.
“Everybody who is in the Duterte administration sent a CV (Curriculum Vitae) and letter of intent. Even Aiza sent a CV,” Liza said referring to her spouse Aiza Seguerra, who was also appointed as chairperson of the National Youth Commission.
Liza said that they were doing rounds of consultations on arts and culture, cluster consultations and were waiting for a courtesy call with President Rodrigo Duterte to present an arts and culture agenda for him.
Then, they were offered the positions.
“Nag-usap kami ni Aiza, you know what, here we are, we’re seeking for a courtesy call, hawak namin ang mga bagay na gusto mabago ng community. Let’s see it through and if we are in a position to carry it out,” Liza said of their appointments.
Liza is a beauty titlist who represented the country in the Miss Tourism International pageant in 2001. She is a film actress appearing in TV shows, mainstream movies and independent films. In 2012 she won Best Actress Award
New Wave Category in the Metro Manila Film Festival for the film “In Nomine Matris.”
Aside from arts and culture, Liza together with Aiza, is active in different advocacies particularly the plight of the internally displaced Lumads and the LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) rights.
The Film Development Council of the Philippines or FDCP is the lead government agency for film in the country. Among its mandate is formulating and implementing policies and programs to upgrade the art of filmmaking, encourage the production of films that enhance the quality of life, examine the social condition and contribute to the nobility and dignity of the human spirit, maximize the country’s potential as a site for international movie and television productions.
Liza’s predecessor is Briccio Santos, an artist-filmmaker who is the son of former Davao City Mayor Luis Santos.
“The mere fact that he was able to reach out to the regions because of the cinematheques [is] one thing we can strengthen. We can come up with more programs, workshops and activities to educate and encourage the community to be more aware and use this opportunity to strengthen their knowledge about films,” Liza tells me of sustaining her predecessor programs.
“It’s more like seeking the opportunity to continue what he has started and finding ways to streamline it according to the needs of the [film] community,” She adds.
With her new government job, Liza says she has put on hold her film projects. “I have pending projects right now supposed to be for…three films. I have to turn it down.” After her Mowelfund filmmaking workshop she is actually working on a script in collaboration with Aiza.
“I can finish the script but I cannot continue acting on that project,” Liza says, adding that the projects would present a conflict-of-interest since she is now the FDCP chair.
Currently, Liza with her PA Pats Olivar, are going across the country to talk and consult different film communities. The day after her Mindanao forum, she went to Iloilo to meet with the Visayan regional film community.
Fora are also scheduled in Luzon and in Metro Manila. One of her goal is to come up with a film summit.
She is also meeting with Presidential Communications Office Secretary Martin Andanar for possible partnerships.
In an earlier interview, the PCO chief Secretary Andanar said he is supportive of Liza’s proposals. “Ano 'yung ilalabas dun sa meeting (what will be presented in the meeting) then we shall move forward from that. But the very objective is to help upgrade the cinema industry in the country through chairman Diño,” Andanar said.
For Liza, the FDCP and the filmmakers can truly help the Duterte administration especially with the various advocacies the government is pushing.
“For me, film is the best medium to give effect to the vision of the President. Film is very powerful in changing the perceptions and bringing consciousness on certain things. It can do a lot,” Liza shares.