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Villaluna replaces Manny Morfe, who assumed the post of officer-in-charge following Vivian Velez’s resignation in 2022
MANILA, Philippines – Filmmaker Paolo Villaluna has just been named the new director general of the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP).
Film producer Noel Ferrer shared the news on September 10 on his social media accounts, where he posted a photo of himself with Villaluna.
“Together with [Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chair] Jose Javier Reyes, we hope to make our industry more pro-active and progressive despite all the challenges we are facing. Know that you will always have our support!” Ferrer wrote.
Villaluna was appointed director general by Cultural Center of the Philippines chairman Jaime C. Laya on August 8. His term lasts until June 2026.
Villaluna is the award-winning director and screenwriter behind several films and documentaries like Selda, Pauwi Na, and Walang Hanggang Paalam, among many others.
Notably, in 2017, Villaluna’s Pauwi Na, starring Cherry Pie Picache and Bembol Roco, bagged the Golden Goblet for Best Film at the Shanghai International Film Festival. He also won the Presidential Jury Award at the 15th Gawad Tanglaw Awards.
Villaluna officially assumed the post of director general, replacing Manny Morfe, who stood as officer-in charge after Vivian Velez resigned in 2022.
Velez tendered her resignation in May 2022, and announced it in July 2022 on the FDCP’s Facebook page.
“There [is] still a lot of work to be done at FAP, in fact, too many to count. The organization continues to be not self sustaining and will never survive without intervention, at this point. It has no credible source of income, or, government support to make ends meet,” Velez wrote in her statement, adding that the next director general would have to bear difficult tasks.
Established in 1981 through Executive Order No. 640-A, FAP recognizes the performance of outstanding members of the local film industry. It must also maintain educational programs, scholarships, grants, and any other forms of assistance for stellar individuals in the film industry, so that they may be “afforded better opportunities for further development.” – Rappler.com
