Kontribusyon ni Manay Ichu sa industriya kinilala ng FDCP

Hindi napigil ng bagyong Domeng ang Film Development Council of the Philippines sa pagbibigay ng parangal sa matriarchs of the Philippine film industry - Maria Azucena Vera-Perez Maceda or widely known as “Manay Ichu”  sa pamamagitan ng A Spotlight on Mothers of Philippine Cinema last Saturday na ginanap sa Cinematheque Centre Manila.

Literal na sa movie industry na nagka-edad si Manay Ichu, having hailed from the family ng Sampaguita Pictures, one of the biggest film productions in the Philippines from the ‘30s to the ‘70s. Ang Sampaguita Pictures ang producer ng karamihan sa beloved classics and generated thousands of jobs for Filipino filmmakers and talents throughout its existence.

Manay herself became a producer of popular and highly acclaimed films like Dyesebel and Batch ’81. Pero ang kanyang passion and love for the movie industry did not stop in producing films. With her Sampaguita roots, tinulungan niya sa paghahanap at pagsasaayos ang mga film related agencies na pagpapatunay na kahit na hindi ka nagpo-produce ng pelikula, malaki ang magagawa mo sa ibang aspeto ng pangangalaga sa mga pelikulang Tagalog.

She helped found the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (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. She has helped found the current pillars of Philippine Cinema has made steadfast strides for its further development. We are more than honored to recognize her for her life’s work,” said FDCP Chairperson Liza Diño.

Sa kanyang 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. Para que pa kayo magpoproduce ng bagong pelikula (kung) kayo lang ang nakakaintindi, wala namang manonood? Hindi na kayo makakagawa ng pangalawang pelikula, tandaan nyo yan. Never make a film solely to satisfy yourself. Make your film for a wide audience,” she said.

She also shared that one must love the industry without expecting any in return. “Love your craft and love the industry. Don’t expect anything back aside from your investment of course. Huwag mong asahang ibalik kaagad sa’yo ang ipinakita mong pagmamahal sapagkat balang araw babalik yan sa inyo tulad ng tinatamasa  ko ngayon,” Manay Ichu furthered.Nakasama ni Many Ichu sa celebration sina Ms. Gina Alajar, Ms. Nova Villa, Ms. Gloria Romero, Ms. JoAnn Bañaga of TV5 and Regal Producer, Mother Lily Monteverde at marami pang iba. Everyone gave a special message for Manay Ichu including two of her sons, Atty. Ernest Maceda and Mr. Erwin Maceda who were present together with their respective families. She was awarded with a plaque of honor by Chairperson Diño.