REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

474

House Bill No.

Introduced by Kabataan Party-list Representative SARAH JANE |. ELAGO
ACT TEACHERS PARTY-LIST Representative France L. Castro,
BAYAN MUNA PARTY-LIST Representatives Carlos Isagani T. Zarate,
Ferdinand Gaite and Eufemia C. Cullamat,
and GABRIELA WOMEN’S PARTY Representative Arlene D. Brosas

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The promotion of Filipino culture is an integral part of nation building. National
development cannot merely be measured through the qualification of material and
economic gains, but in the overall and holistic development of the people in their
political, social and cultural life as a nation. The 1987 Philippine Constitution even
devotes several provisions on the promotion and preservation of Philippine arts and
culture as an indispensable aspect of national development. Sec. 16, Art. XIV, for
example. Provides that “The State shall conserve, promote, and popularize the
nation’s historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as artistic creations.”

An important aspect of any national heritage and culture is a nation’s cinema
and theater. A “national cinema.” loosely defined, is a country’s body of films that
embodies the social and cultural identity of its people. National theater, meanwhile, is
a country’s body of theater and plays portraying the social and cultural identity of is
people. The film and theater medium have, throughout this century, been an important
means of reflecting the life of our nation through various genres that depict the lives of
Filipinos. A genuine national policy on the promotion of Filipino cultural heritage cannot
therefore exist without the inclusion of Philippine cinema and theater development and
appreciation as an integral part thereof.

During these times when economic conditions, like market forces and the cost
of production, and the lack of government support have hampered and limited the full
development of a truly vibrant Philippine cinema and theater and the preservation of
its history, and at a time when our youth are increasingly being bombarded by the
influence of foreign films and plays, it becomes more imperative and urgent to
introduce our youth to Philippine cinema through series of lectures and an entire
subject taught in secondary schools with regard to Filipino films with a focus on its

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appreciation as a collective body of artistic creations that enhance and reflect the
cultural and societal identity of our nation.

In recent memory, national cinema and theater has gained its ground and
prominence amongst a wide array of audience members both young and old. This
revival in appreciation in cinema and theater has been vibrant, with more
performances have openly addressed issues concerning our society, various trials and
tribulations faced by various sectors, the hopes and expectations for a brighter future,
and especially a genuine interest on our national identity.

In the various pursuit of nationalism and patriotism by both government, non-
government, and civil society organizations, cinema and theater has remained an
independent, yet powerful body in igniting interest and desires of the people to embody
nationalist and patriotic values in their everyday lives. Films such as Jerrold Tarog’s
Heneral Lune and Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral has aroused public interest of our
country’s history against foreign domination. Plays such as Care Divas, Charot! and
The Kundiman Party have expounded on prominent social issues through creative and
interactive means.

In the same way Philippine literature, through classics such as Noli Me Tangere
and El Filibusterismo, among others, is taught in schools as a means of promoting and
preserving one aspect of Filipino cultural heritage and history, Philippine cinema and
theater should likewise be given the opportunity to be appreciated by our youth, with
the hope not only of providing them a picture of our identity and our history as a people,
but also with the hope of inspiring them to take advantage of the medium, in its
traditional and its digital variations, in order to showcase and express their aspirations
as the bearers of our nation’s future.

This bill seeks to institute the mandatory instruction of Philippine cinema and
theater appreciation courses formulated by the Department of Education, in
consultation with the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCAA) and the
University of the Philippines Film Institute (UPFl), in secondary schools across the
country as separate subjects of incorporated in existing subjects now being taught,
whichever is more practicable.


Approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

1S Sloa
Rep. CARLOS ANI T. ZARATE 1p. FERDINAND GAITE

BAYAN MUNA Party-List BAYAN MUNA Party-List

Puromat
Rep. EUFEMIA C. CULLAMAT fep. ARLENE D. BROSAS
BAYAN MUNA Party-List GABRIELA Women's Party



REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4

House Bill No.

Introduced by Kabataan Party-list Representative SARAH JANE |. ELAGO
ACT TEACHERS PARTY-LIST Representative France L. Castro,
BAYAN MUNA PARTY-LIST Representatives Carlos Isagani T. Zarate,
Ferdinand Gaite and Eufemia C. Cullamat,
and GABRIELA WOMEN’S PARTY Representative Arlene D. Brosas

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MANDATORY INSTRUCTION OF PHILIPPINE
CINEMA AND THEATER APPRECIATION IN SECONDARY
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE COUNTRY AND FOR OTHER

PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress
Assembled:

SECTION 1. Short title. - This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Cinema
and Theater Appreciation Act for High School Students.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It shall be the policy of the State to promote
the development of and the appreciation of culture and the arts as an integral part of
nation building. It shall take appropriate steps in order to fulfill this mandate. It shall, in
particular, provide sufficient support for the promotion of Philippine cinema through
instruction in secondary schools.

SECTION 3. The Department of Education, in consultation and in close
coordination with the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCAA), Film
Development Council of the Philippines, and the University of the Philippines Film
Institute (UPFI), shall formulate courses, and special lectures on Philippine Cinema to
be taught in secondary schools across the country as separate subjects or
incorporated in existing subjects now being taught, whichever is more practicable.


SECTION 4. The Department of Education shall also consult and coordinate
with the NCAA and the UPFI, in the writing, printing and publication of textbooks,
manuals and other reading materials, and in the acquisition of film and other audio-
visual materials, to be used in the Philippine cinema appreciation courses.

SECTION 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the policy formulation,
program planning, standards development and instructional materials development,
and the general implementation of this Act shall be incorporated in the annual budget
of the Department of education under the General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of
Education shall promulgate and issue the necessary implementing rules and
regulations within thirty (30) days after the effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspaper of general
circulation. The instruction of Philippine cinema appreciation shall be taught on the
academic year succeeding the effectivity of this Act.

Adopted,