FIRST lady Liza Araneta-Marcos called on the local film industry to rally behind a renewed vision of showcasing Filipino talent on the world stage, saying that "we give the world our best."
The first lady emphasized the importance of unleashing Filipino talent on the global stage as she witnessed the opening of the temporary office of the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) in Makati City on Tuesday.
"The best way to help the movie industry is to tell the world that Filipinos are good, we're talented," Araneta-Marcos said in her speech.
The first lady said there was a need to elevate awareness of the country's creative industry. She said marketing the Filipino creative industry abroad is crucial for advancing Filipino filmmakers and promoting national pride.
"There are so many prestigious film festivals across the globe, such as Cannes and Sundance. Here in the Philippines, we have the Metro Manila Film Festival and the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF)," Araneta-Marcos said.
"The key is for industry stakeholders to come together, discuss, and explore ways to uplift the local film industry. It's really about awareness and education," she added.
The overarching theme of the campaign, "Give the World Our Best," calls on the Philippine creative industry to unite and take full advantage of international platforms.
By promoting local talent and producing world-class films, Filipinos would not only elevate the nation's film industry but also contribute to the country's cultural pride and identity.
Creative industry professional Greg Garcia echoed the first lady's sentiments, pointing out the remarkable influence of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) across the globe.
"The OFWs are running the world right now. Their influence spans across industries, and that includes the global film landscape," Garcia said.
"Some of the best professionals in the movie industry are Filipinos, but they remain one of the best-kept secrets," he added.
Garcia said the time was "ripe" for the Philippines to send its best talents and films to the international stage.
"We have the opportunity to literally give the world our best people, and when you give the world the best, they give their best in return. That's how we raise the bar for the Philippine film industry," he said.