Mocha Uson gives briefing in Malacañang to promote MMFF

President Rodrigo Duterte's staunch ally Mocha Uson was in Malacañang on Wednesday to promote this year's Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

In her brief message, Uson said she will help promote the festival through social media.

"Tutulong po ako sa social media at sa iba pang paraan para hikayatin ang ating mga kababayan," she said.

"Natural lang po na magkaroon ng bangayan sa social media pagdating sa iba’t ibang issue at mga opiniyon natin, ngunit pagdating po sa pagtulong sa ating bayan, dapat po tayong magkaisa," she added.

Mocha Uson said she will help promote MMFF through social media pic.twitter.com/7SFTb1jQGg

— Trisha Macas (@trishamacas) December 21, 2016

Uson has a Facebook following of four million.

She said Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Thomas Orbos asked her to help promote this year's MMFF, which will showcase indie films.

"Nilapitan po ako ni MMDA general manager Thomas Orbos para po magbigay ng suporta. Alam naman po natin na napag-iwanan na ang industriya ng Filipino films ng ibang bansa, at ang layunin po ng MMFF ngayon ay itaas ang kalidad ng pelikula na puwede po nating ipagmalaki sa ibang bansa," Uson said.

In a pep.ph story, Uson said she was asked by Orbos to become an ambassadress of the 2016 MMFF to promote the featured movies in social media.

"Ang gagawin ko naman dito ay paiingayin ko po sa social media at hihikayatin ko yung mga kababayan natin na suportahan po yung pagbabago dito sa MMFF," she told PEP.

Mocha recalled that MMDA executives approached her to ask for her help.

"Nilapitan nila ako to support MMFF. Tinawag ako for a meeting with [Chairman] Orbos at mga Executive Committee members kasi gusto nila magkaroon ng pagbabago sa MMFF.

During the Palace briefing, Uson urged the Filipinos to watch the films lined up for the MMFF.

"Ngayon taon na po ang pagbabago. At kailangan din po natin ng pagbabago sa film industry po natin. Marami pong magagaling na mga filmmakers, ngunit hindi po ito nabibigyan ng suporta ng ating gobyerno at ng masang Pilipino. Ngunit ngayong may opportunity na po, na suportahan, na sinusuportahan na po sila ng gobyerno, kailangan pong tangkilikin din ang mga films dito sa MMFF ng masang Pilipino," she said.

Unified but diverse

Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chairperson Liza Diño-Seguerra and member of the MMFF Executive Committee said during the same briefing that while the eight entries have different themes, their main thrust is for "change."

"It’s a unifying, very diverse yet concerted efforts ang ginagawa ng lahat ng mga entries. Malaking bagay siguro po dahil independent film producers ang mostly kasama sa entries natin," she said.

"And it’s really a landmark opportunity for our independent film producers to have the exposure and the platform to showcase their films, especially this Christmas season. Alam naman po natin na malaking advantage po talaga kapag ang film festival natin ay talagang para lang po sa mga local films," she added.

Seguerra said that the 2016 MMFF aims to introduce different films to the Filipino audience.

"‘Yun naman po talaga ‘yung goal natin ngayon. It’s really to develop the audience and bigyan sila ng opportunity para makakita pa ng iba’t ibang tema, pagdating po sa mga pelikula na meron ang ating bansa," she said.

"Even from the regions you can find really different and unique stories and I think this opportunity to open this film festival for all, and really concentrate on artistic excellence is a good move for the Metro Manila Film Fest," she added. —ALG, GMA News