Lance Joseph Martinez

Bela Padilla Makes Bold Promise at Congress to Support the Philippine Film Industry

Article (news)

<p>Popular actress and filmmaker <strong>Bela Padilla</strong> is taking a firm stand in support of the Philippine creative industry, as she backs a proposed measure aimed at uplifting the country’s film sector.</p><p>Often regarded as one of the most overlooked industries in the Philippines, the creative sector is now seeing gradual progress, with the government beginning to introduce policies that are both pro-human and pro-artist. While these developments come long overdue, they mark a significant step toward recognizing and supporting Filipino talent, particularly those working in film.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773902690646starmagicphils_1773794495_3855189945691090194_218607907.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Bela Padilla during the House of Representatives hearing | Screenshot from House of Representative via YouTube</span></span></span></div><p>Just recently, Bela appeared before the <strong>House of Representatives’ </strong>committee on creative industry, where she pledged her commitment to supporting the bill that seeks to establish the <strong>Philippine Film Commission. </strong>The proposed body is expected to strengthen the industry by providing institutional support, improving labor conditions, and ensuring better opportunities for filmmakers.</p><p>Her participation follows another milestone for the industry—the <strong>Eddie Garcia Law</strong>, officially known as <strong>Republic Act No. 11996</strong>, signed on May 24, 2024. The law enforces stricter welfare, safety, and labor protections for workers in the Filipino film and television sector. It includes provisions on regulated working hours, insurance, mandatory contracts, and fair working conditions, all aimed at preventing on-set accidents.</p><p>The legislation was passed in response to the death of veteran actor <strong>Eddie Garcia</strong> in 2019 following an on-set accident. It now stands as both a tribute to the late actor and a safeguard for industry workers, addressing long-standing concerns about labor conditions.</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWAeAcIk1FE/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A15712641%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>During the hearing, Bela stressed that her presence was meant to amplify the concerns and suggestions of fellow filmmakers, whom she referred to as her “brothers and sisters” in the industry.</p><p>“There are so many creative Filipino talents. We have amazing actors, directors, writers, but right now we’re not seeing, I guess, what the government can do for us also. At the top of my mind, I’d love for, like you said earlier, if it’s true that we can approve a 50-50 deal between filmmakers and producers in ownership of scripts and films, that would be wonderful,” she told the committee.</p><p>She went on to share her personal experience, revealing that despite writing scripts and directing films, she has not received any ownership percentage from her work—something she noted is not the case when working abroad.</p><p>Bela made her directorial debut with the 2022 film <strong><em>366</em></strong>, which she also wrote and starred in. She is also credited as a screenwriter for<strong><em> Last Night</em></strong> and <em><strong>Apple of My Eye.</strong></em></p><div><em></em><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><em></em><strong></strong><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773902007946starmagicphils_1773794495_3855189946630647839_218607907.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><em><strong></strong></em><br/></div><p>According to Bela, her experiences working in <strong>Switzerland</strong> and <strong>South Korea </strong>highlighted stark differences in how creatives are treated, particularly in terms of compensation, ownership, and worker welfare.</p><p>“When working closely with the Swiss Film Council, one of the first things they asked us was for our budget, and the reason they checked it is because they wanted to see if we were paying our staff a wage that was at least comparable to what they were paying the Swiss staff,” she said.</p><p>For Bela, this level of consideration reflects how much value other countries place on their creative workforce. She pointed out that Switzerland, despite having a population of only eight to nine million people and a multilingual audience, still manages to provide strong support systems for filmmakers.</p><p>In contrast, she emphasized that the Philippines, with its much larger population, still lacks similar provisions.</p><p>“Yet we don’t have the same provisions for our filmmakers here, so I hope the meeting goes well today and we do see some change in Philippine filmmaking,” she ended her speech.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVx1TlMk800/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A16486390%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="857" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Meanwhile, in an Instagram post, Bela shared that although she was only able to speak during her opening statement at the hearing, she had prepared answers to 10 questions sent to her beforehand. However, she had to leave early due to a prior filming commitment.</p><p>She also reflected on her experience speaking at international platforms such as the <strong>World Systemic Forum</strong> in Davos and the Biennale in Venice, where she gave global audiences insight into how Filipino filmmakers operate in a developing country.</p><p>“They’re amazed at our output when our budgets are so low. Honestly, I always get sad when I hear a Filipino put down a local film or review a local film harshly and compare our work to an international project that has a budget we can only dream of, because I see foreigners appreciate our work more than we do.</p><p>To which she added, “And sadly, that lack of patriotism or pride in our work is apparent not only in the film industry but in every sector.”</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773902042467starmagicphils_1773794495_3855189948291609270_218607907.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><p>Despite these challenges, Bela expressed optimism after seeing that the proposed bill addresses many of the issues filmmakers have long been raising, including fair equity between creatives and producers.</p><p>She also acknowledged the support of <strong>CEAP</strong>, which she credited for helping her film <strong><em>A Special Memory </em></strong>achieve strong ticket sales nationwide by lowering cinema prices.</p><p>Additionally, Bela expressed gratitude to <strong>Gabriela Partylist </strong>for pushing for stronger protections for women on set. She noted that while countries like the United Kingdom already have initiatives such as the<strong> Female Film Clu</strong><strong>b</strong> that support and uplift women filmmakers, the Philippines is still working toward ensuring basic protections.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://metro.style/people/2026/3/6/metro-artist-spotlight-a-special-memory-and-blood-vs-duty-actress-bela-padilla-1015"><strong>Related: Metro Artist Spotlight: An Intimate Conversation With &#x27;A Special Memory&#x27; Actress Bela Padilla </strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>To conclude, Bela reaffirmed her commitment to supporting the growth of the Philippine film industry, emphasizing that change does not solely depend on holding public office.</p><p>“What I clearly saw the other day is that one truly doesn’t need to be elected to help. And that there are people elected who still care. We have a long way to go. But this bill, if passed and done correctly, will get us closer,” she ended.</p><div><br/></div><p>Lead photos from <strong>@bela </strong>and <strong>Vyn Radovan</strong></p>

<p>Actress-director Bela Padilla throws her support behind a proposed measure seeking to strengthen and uplift the Philippine film industry.</p>

Actress-director Bela Padilla throws her support behind a proposed measure seeking to strengthen and uplift the Philippine film industry.

Bela Padilla Makes a Bold Promise at Congress to Support the Philippine Film Industry

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Bela Padilla Makes a Bold Promise at Congress to Support the Philippine Film Industry

Lance Joseph Martinez

Published March 19, 2026 05:00 PM PHT

Read More:

Bela Padilla

A Special Memory

Film Industry

Philippine Film Commission

House of Representatives

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