TFC hopes to show more quality Pinoy films
The Filipino Channel is aiming to show more quality Filipino films at Saipan’s Regal Saipan Cinema Megaplex, the island’s lone seven-auditorium theater. TFC will be showing for the first time the movie Everything About Her at Saipan Megaplex 7 on Friday, Feb. 12.
TFC marketing specialist James Redmond Chua, who is in charge of the CNMI, said more Filipino films shown on island would depend on the box office results of the movie that stars multi-awarded veteran Filipino actress Vilma Santos and former teen star Angel Locsin.
“This is the first time that a Star Cinema movie will be shown on Saipan. We are hoping to make this a regular event for the overseas Filipinos on Saipan,” said Chua, who added that a separate screening is also scheduled in Guam.
He added that if most overseas Filipinos want to see more quality films from the Philippines, this could justify more movie screenings in the future. “We’re really hoping that his first one becomes a big hit. We hope that this initial venture becomes successful through your [Filipino moviegoers] support,” said Chua.
The movie being shown on Saipan is a partnership between TFC and Regal Entertainment Group, which operates Regal Saipan. The film has English subtitles for non-Filipino speaking moviegoers,
“We reached out to Regal Cinema and checked if they have available theaters to accommodate the movie,” said Chua.
The movie, which was given a Grade A rating by the Cinema Evaluation Board of the Philippines, also stars Xian Lim as Santos’ estranged son Albert. The CEBP grants tax incentives to films that receive Grade A or B ratings to encourage Filipino filmmakers to make more quality movies to increase the marketability of the Philippine cinema internationally.
The movie opened on Jan. 27 in the Philippines and was also shown on Jan. 29 in the U.S. (California, Texas, Alaska, Nevada, Hawaii, Florida, Virginia, Maryland, Washington State, New Jersey, and New York); in Europe (France, Italy, Malta, and Greece) on Jan. 31; the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait on Feb. 4; Canada on Feb. 5; Austria and the United Kingdom on Feb. 6; and Spain on Feb. 7. It will be shown in Australia on Feb. 11 and in Singapore on Feb. 21.