A measure has been filed in the Senate seeking a P1-million cash grant to award-winning filmmakers, writers, artists, and performers to recognize their contributions to the Filipino creative industry and culture.
In filing Senate Bill 2466, Sen. Sonny Angara cited the recent wins of actor John Arcilla at the Venice Film Festival and the Filipino film "Yellow Rose" in the Toronto International Film Festival, which brought pride not only to the artists themselves but to the country as well.
"It is only fitting that we express our gratitude to such performances. The cash incentive will encourage Filipinos to engage in various forms of arts and represent the country in the future," Angara said in the explanatory note of his bill.
Under the bill, a cash grant of P1 million will be given to the artist, production entities, literary writers, and performances who garnered the highest award from an international competition, film festival, or exhibition.
These international competitions include but are not limited to:
- Festival de Cannes
- Sundance Film Festival
- Toronto International Film Festival
- Venice Film Festival
- Berlin International Film Festival
- New York Film Festival, and
- Busan International Film Festival
A P500,000 cash grant will also be given to the same group of creatives who have garnered special recognition and/or any other award not considered as the highest award in these international competitions.
The National Commission of Culture and the Arts, the Film Development Council of the Philippines, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines are tasked to determine the international competitions, film festivals, and other exhibitions covered by the bill.
The Senate recently approved the measure creating the Senate Medal of Excellence to honor individuals who brought the country outstanding and distinguished achievements.
The first recipients of the medal were Filipino Olympic medalists Hidilyn Diaz, Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, and Eumir Marcial who brought honor to the country at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
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