Solar Films' Irwin Tieng: It's payback time

MANILA, Philippines – “I have seen how Solar Films started and expanded, but I have also seen how it downgraded,” says 28-year-old Rep. Irwin Tieng of Buhay Party List. “From local distribution of movies, Solar Films ventured into production, but with the business scenario in the film industry, we (Solar) had to go back to just releasing movies for the local market.”

The decision to go back to distribution of movies, according to Irwin, was dictated by one single truth — film production budget has ballooned over the years, yet the demand and support from the public continued to diminish.

Solar Films have stopped producing since many years ago, but the young congressman revealed that their family feels that producing a movie is a project long overdue.

Pressed to share what his dream movie project will be, he shares, “I just want it to be light, a romantic comedy, with beautiful Philippine sceneries as its backdrop.”

Rep. Irwin is the vice chairman of the Tourism Committee in the House of Representatives.

“Holding that post (Tourism Committee vice chairman), I think it’s just right to bat for projects that will showcase the beauty of the country,” enthuses Irwin. “It is my family’s way of giving back something to showbiz.”

Asked who will star in it, he instantly dropped matinee idol Dingdong Dantes’ name, because “he is a friend of mine,” he quips.

Signs seem to approve the production of this much-awaited movie project, because recently the “Lowering the Amusement Tax Bill” or the House Bill 5624 has been passed via third reading in the House of Representatives.

Rep. Irwin is the principal proponent of this bill, which will be discussed soon in a bicameral committee meeting between representatives from the Congress and Senate. After the meeting, it will then be submitted to the Office of the President for final approval.

The bill will pull down the current 30 percent to 10 percent amusement tax being charged to local movies.

Irwin gladly shares, “the support towards the bill has been tremendous. In fact, congressman unanimously voted for it.”

  According to Irwin, the local movie industry faces two major problems — taxation and piracy. With the passing of the bill, producers are encouraged further to breathe life to the ailing industry.

Aside from his advocacy to help showbiz, Rep. Irwin has hands full with other bills that aim to help other sectors of the society like the Anti-camcording Bill (HB 4117), which is set for final reading, Cyber-boso Bill (HB 4315), which has already been reviewed by the Department of Justice, Restoring Philippine inventors commission bill (HB 5152), “Braille” Bill (HB 4217), and “Anti-texting while driving” Bill (HB4917).

He also gives special attention to health concerns. In fact, since he assumed his post, he has donated two mobile clinics and 15 ambulances to various areas in the country.

Irwin also travels to different barangays to hold medical missions. “Holding medical missions are tiring, but the rewards are instant — a sincere hug makes all the hard work worth it,” he beams. “It’s a good feeling that you know that you can help save lives.”

He recalls an incident in Cavite, where a hydrocephalus girl was brought to their attention. The case of the patient, who is only three years old, seemed hopeless, but with the help of the volunteer doctors, the kid was saved from danger. Now, the kid is in much better state.

He also values education and has, in fact, given out TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) scholarships to poor but deserving students as part of his two-pronged educational program. Irwin gives full scholarship to students for technical training or short courses. The other program grants educational assistance to marginalized college students by means of funds released through the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Asked how he manages to get all these things done, he quips, “I worked for almost 10 years for Solar Group of Companies. Before I joined politics, I was vice president for operations. I have saved some money. Now, I can share them with my constituents.”

Being exposed to showbiz, Irwin learned one lesson that he still uses as a legislator — that “being late is okay, but being on time is very much appreciated.”