Direk Joey Reyes says PH Film Heritage Building now completed

Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chairman Jose Javier “Joey” Reyes said that the Philippine Film Heritage Building in Manila has finally been completed.

On Wednesday's episode of “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” the acclaimed filmmaker spoke about the construction of the project, which faced delay and quality issues.

“Dumaan kami sa kalahating butas ng karayom. Kasi originally, nung in-estimate ‘yan ng kontratista ni then-chairman Tirso Cruz, ang binigay na presyo 150 million to build that building,” Joey said.

The team was then given the P150 million budget by Senator Robin Padilla.

When Direk Joey was named new chairman of the FDCP, he was told the building was finished, but only half of it had been done. Apparently, the P150 million was only for the first phase of the building, and another P100 million was needed.

“Sabi ko, jusko, san ako kukuha ng 100 million, ano? Kahit lumuhod ako sa lahat ng senador at congressman, san ako kukuha ng 100 million?” Joey said.

He said he had a meeting with Philippine First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos to discuss the problems. Joey then learned that the contractors were Sarah and Curlee Discaya, whose construction firms were linked to the flood control mess.

“Dun pumilantik ‘yung tainga ng First Lady,” Joey said. “Anyway, nung pumasok si [DPWH secretary] Vince Hizon, ni-require ng First Lady kay Vince na tapusin itong building.”

Joey said the building is now finished.

“Tapos na tapos na tapos na,” he said.

According to the FDCP, the Philippine Film Heritage Building project broke ground on October 26, 2023 in Intramuros, Manila.

The FDCP, a body under the Office of the President, entered into a tripartite agreement with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) for the building's construction.

"Envisioned as a state-of-the-art facility, the building will be a melting pot of cinematic gems, including a collection of Filipino films, memorabilia, and audiovisual preservation and restoration facilities. In addition, the building will house the Cinematheque Centre Manila and the Philippine Film Archive and it will also be the new headquarters of the FDCP," the council said. —Nika Roque/MGP, GMA News