FDCP honors Marichu Maceda

(FROM LEFT): FDCP Chairperson Liza Diño, Ms. Marichu Maceda and Mother Lily

The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) honored recently Maria Azucena Vera-Perez Maceda, fondly called Manay Ichu, one of the matriarchs of the local film industry. The event, “A Spotlight on Mothers of Philippine Cinema,” was held June 9 at the Cinematheque Centre Manila.

Manay Ichu literally grew up in the industry, having hailed from the family who owned Sampaguita Pictures, one of the biggest film productions in the Philippines from the ’30s to the ’70s. Sampaguita Pictures produced the most beloved classics and generated thousands of jobs for Filipino filmmakers and talents throughout its existence.

Manay Ichu, herself, became a producer of popular and highly acclaimed films like “Dyesebel” and “Batch ’81.” Her passion and love for the industry did not stop in producing films. With her Sampaguita roots, she helped found film-related agencies, like the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation, Inc . (MOWELFUND), the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP), the Philippine Motion Pictures Producers Association, the Experimental Cinema of the Philippines and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) where she headed the International Film Festival Committee (IFFCOM).

“Truly, Manay Ichu is an exceptional force in the film industry,” said FDCP Chairperson Liza Diño.

In her speech, Manay Ichu mentioned the lessons she has learned in the industry. “Remember that aside from being an art form, this is basically a business, so you have to at least break even so you can recover your investment and produce the second film.”

The celebration was attended by people close to Manay Ichu’s heart: Gina Alajar, Nova Villa, Ms. Gloria Romero, JoAnn Bañaga and Mother Lily Monteverde. Everyone gave special messages for Manay Ichu including two of her sons, Atty. Ernest and Erwin Maceda.

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Dingdong explores the beauty of Earth

Dingdong Dantes showcases the unseen beauty of Earth on GMA’s newest infotainment program “Amazing Earth.”

Dingdong Dantes

The show has the Philippine presentation of British Broadcasting Company’s (BBC) award-winning series “Planet Earth II.”

“I love to travel. In my every destination, I always discover na marami pa talaga akong hindi nalalaman at dapat ma- explore about how beautiful the planet is. Kaya naman in this show, expect me to be part of the journey of every viewer – that in every episode, I will be learning side-by-side with them,” he said.

Dingdong – an advocate of education, youth development and protection of the environment – is proud that the show highlights how everyone should properly treat and protect the people, animals and our planet.

“Amazing Earth” airs Sundays after “24 Oras Weekend” on GMA Sunday Grande.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, June 19, go to Joel Torre, Bing Davao, Rachel Anne Wolfe, Fe Canonizado, Engr. Jess Luciano, Nena Borromeo, Dr. Ping Duran, Julie Amargo, Edfie Littlefield, Pinggot Zulueta, Nina Raymundo and Jojo Alejar… June 20: Jose Rodriguez, Alicia Poltan, Frannie Jacinto, Beny Baluyut, Arsi Baltazar, Linda Marquez, Caterina Santos, Simone Louise Hubert, Jerry Donato, Dindo Balares and Emma Cordero…Belated b-day greetings to Christine Mae Gueta…