JULY 31, 2012

NR # 2817

English subtitles for local films pushed

A lawmaker is proposing that all local movie producers provide English subtitles to films they produce which shall be shown and circulated at the major shopping malls and other prominent cinema outlets in the country. Rep. Emi Calixto-Rubiano (Lone District, Pasay City) said House Bill 6228 is aimed at assisting foreign guests enjoy the privilege of watching Filipino films without having to worry about the problem of translation. Calixto-Rubiano said the recent influx of tourist arrivals in the country revealed that foreign visitors are not only interested in the natural wonders that the country has to offer but in the history and culture of the Filipinos as well. Travel agencies offering package trips make it a point to include historical sites and shopping malls, among others, as part of the menu-destinations, Calixto-Rubiano said. Many of us may still be unaware that four among the top ten biggest shopping malls in the world are located in the Philippines and included in the structural designs are at least six to twelve cinemas ready to cater both foreign and local films, Calixto-Rubiano added. Calixto-Rubiano said that films, just like multi-media, are among the more effective vehicles to showcase relevant information about the Philippines history and culture. The increasing number of foreign guests in the country, notably Koreans and Chinese, were commonly seen watching local films together with Filipino chaperons acting as interpreters, Calixto-Rubiano said. But many of them do not have the luxury of having a chaperon at all times to translate the film, Calixto-Rubiano lamented. We are offering our foreign guests not only the opportunity to have a glimpse of what we can offer in terms of entertainment, but also the window to showcase our culture and some of our tourists spots as may be shown in the film, Calixto-Rubiano said. Under the measure, all local film makers are required to produce at least one film with English subtitles for every five films of the same title produced which are to be distributed to the major shopping malls and other prominent cinema outlets. The Act shall cover all films, which were produced locally, or abroad containing Filipino language/dialogue, either entirely or in part. The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) shall implement and issue rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purpose of the measure. (30) jsc