(NI MELL NAVARRO)

NGAYONG 2019 ang 100th year or Centennial celebration ng Philippine cinema. Maraming naka-line up na projects and events ang Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) para rito. Mayroon kaming munting suggestion na noon pa namin naisip:

Ang bigyan ng kaukulang tribute o pagkilala ang oldest living Filipino actors na nasa piling pa rin natin hanggang ngayon. Kelan pa ba natin sila bibigyan ng tribute, kapag wala na sila sa mundo (knock on wood)? Kung tama ang aming listahan, ang twelve oldest living Filipino actresses sa ngayon ay ang mga sumusunod (in order): Mona Lisa, 96 (born June 22, 1922), Mila Del Sol, 95 (born May 12, 1923), Anita Linda, 94 (born Nov 23, 1924). Next in line ay mga veteran actresses in their ‘80s: Lilia Dizon, 89, (born Nov. 25, 1929), Rustica Carpio, 88 (born Aug 9, 1930), Rosa Rosal, 87 (born Oct 16, 1931), Delia Razon, 87 (born Aug 8, 1931), Gloria Sevilla, 87 (born Jan 1, 1932), Sylvia La Torre, 85 (born June 4, 1933), Gloria Romero, 85 (born Dec 16, 1933), Caridad Sanchez, 83 (born Jan 21, 1936), and Luz Fernandez, 83 (born July 13, 1935).

May nakaligtaan ba kami? Salute, high respect, and BRAVO to these great living legends of Philippine Cinema! Kailan kaya sila mabibigyan ng kaukulang parangal at pagkilala ng industriyang ito? Karamihan naman sa kanila ay nagawaran na rin ng lifetime achievement awards mula sa iba’t ibang local award giving bodies, pero iba pa rin ang 100th Year celebration this year, para sa amin. Sa Hollywood, the more veteran you become as an actor, the higher the respect, love, and recognition from the industry! Ilang beses ba tayong magkakaroon ng Centennial celebration, hindi ba? Why not consider this idea, Liza Diño-Seguerra? I’m sure, a Lifetime Honors segment of a special show, kahit na nga sa awards night ng Pista Ng Pelikulang Pilipino sa September 2019, won’t hurt. Although they deserve to have a separate show nga.

Among our Filipino actors naman, again, if we’re not mistaken, the oldest living ay sina: Ramon Revilla, Sr., 91; Eddie Garcia, 89 (going 90 this May); Joonee Gamboa, 82; Joseph Estrada, 81. Am sure, we’re missing out some more names sa ating veteran actors. Naalala tuloy namin ang “dream project” ng close naming si Direk Randy Rufino (na yumao na rin, a few years ago), na ipo-produce at ididirek niya ng sitdown special dinner show ang veteran actors – kinamatayan na nga ito ni Direk Randy. We hope that this can really be carefully considered. Kung hindi ang FDCP, sana ay ‘yung mga mayayaman diyang may puso sa arts — na may extra funds to produce a spectacular tribute show for these legendary names.