After the successful election of officers of Philippine Movie Press Club, Inc. (PMPC) early January this year under the new normal, the group held its oath taking ceremony on January 19, 2021 at Annabel’s Quezon City with Senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla, Jr. as inducting officer.
Strictly following the health protocols, especially since the actor-turned politician has had COVID-19 experience the past year, only the 15 officers plus Sen. Bong’s staff of four were present. Photo shoots were quick and spontaneous.
In his short speech, the senator expressed gratefulness for the club for having honored his craft with several awards when he was still active in show business.
“… ngunit ang higit na pinagpapasalamat ko ay ang pagkilalang ibinigay ng PMPC kay Daddy, former Senator Ramon Revilla Sr., noong 2019. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for never failing to recognize talent and artistry in our industry,” he added.
Revilla Jr. must be referring to the club’s tribute to movie icons in line with the Centennial Celebration of Philippine Cinema in 2019. Despite his medical condition, the elder Revilla honored the event with his attendance to the delight of the award night’s audiences, fellow veterans, the late Eddie Garcia and Gloria Romero, and fellow honorees present namely Tirso Cruz III, Christopher de Leon, Niño Muhlach, and Philip Salvador.
Sen. Bong, who is making a TV comback via ‘Agimat ng Agila’ over the Kapuso Station, also congratulated the club for continuing its support to the industry. “Sa kabila ng ating sitwasyon noong 2020 ay patuloy po kayo sa pagkilala sa mga natatanging entertainers at artists sa ating industriya. Sa mga nagdaang taon, naging sandigan na po ng ating industriya ang PMPC kaya nakakatuwa pong makita that PMPC thrived and adapted during this pandemic season. This induction night and gathering is proof how important PMPC has been in our industry,” he said.
Meanwhile, the newly-inducted PMPC President Roldan Castro reiterated his call for the club, especially for the new set of officers, to work doubly hard in unity at this time of the pandemic in order to sustain the club’s Star Awards for Movies, Music and Television, respectively. Under his term, Castro is also expected to do other projects and outreach programs for the benefit and camaraderie of PMPC members.
PMPC is a group of professional and active entertainment press in the country. It is well-known for honoring Filipino artists for nearly 40 years and its annual Star Awards ceremonies are highly anticipated in the showbiz industry.
Aside from Castro, the 2021 PMPC officers are Fernan de Guzman (Vice President), Mell Navarro (Secretary), Mildred Bacud (Assistant Secretary), Boy Romero (Treasurer), Assistant Treasurer (Lourdes Fabian), John Fontanilla (Auditor), Rodel Fernando and Leony Garcia (PRO). The Board of Directors is composed of immediate past president Sandy Mariano, past president Joe Barrameda, Eric Borromeo, Timmy Basil, Rommel Placente and Francis Simeon.