Dingdong Dantes and Charo Santos-Concio weigh in on state of Philippine film industry

GMA Network

16-05-2025

Dingdong Dantes and Charo Santos-Concio weighed in on the current state of local cinema, highlighting significant challenges alongside new opportunities presented by the digital era.
In Friday's 'Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,' Dingdong acknowledged that while these challenges are present, they are not unlike those faced by developed countries.
'Sa kabila ng challenges, naniniwala ako na marami ring mga opportunities,' he said.
The Kapuso Primetime King specifically pointed to the advent of the digital age and digital era, where everything is online, as a transformative factor.
'Suddenly we become global actors and actresses. 'Yung mga kuwento natin, naikukuwento na natin sa ibang bansa na hindi natin nagagawa dati,' he said.
Charo continued, saying that the industry is 'very challenged.'
''Yun na nga, with the shift to the digital platform, even the theatrical screens, 'no? The malls now are cutting back on the number of theaters. Admission prices have gone up. We're one of the most heavily taxed industry,' she said.
Charo hoped that the government will recognize the entertainment industry as a 'real industry.'
'We're not here just to entertain people, you know? We're here to make a living and to make a statement for the great artists, the great Filipino artists, 'di ba? Kasi magagaling ang creatives natin, ang mga artista natin, and I think we deserve that recognition from government,' she said.
She expressed happiness that industry leaders such as the Film Development Council of the Philippines, the Film Academy of the Philippines, and Dingdong, in his capacity as president of Aktor PH (League of Filipino Actors), are active and deeply immersed in the current conditions.
'And with small steps naman, maraming na-a-address. But we really have to get together as an industry. We have to unite. We have to be one. We have to continue to support each other,' she said.
Dingdong and Charo recently visited Bahay ni Kuya as the latest house guests in "Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition."
While inside, they hosted a game show and also gave the "PBB" housemates some words of wisdom.
Dingdong and Charo are starring in the upcoming film, 'Only We Know,' which was presented to them seven years ago.
The film also marks Charo's first time doing a romance film.
'Sabi ko nga kay Dong in some of our conversations, 'This is also a risk, but maybe more of a risk for you.' Kaya tinanong ko siya, 'Sigurado ka? Gagawin mo talaga 'to?'' Charo said.
She also clarified that they are not a love team.
'We're two professionals who got together and we breathed life into this beautiful narrative. I'm proud to say that we were able to create a love team in Betty and Ryan,' she said.
'Only We Know' premieres in cinemas on June 11.
—Carby Rose Basina/CDC, GMA Integrated News