The Philippine Film Heritage Building in Intramuros, Manila is now complete, according to Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chairman Jose Javier “Joey” Reyes, who detailed the funding troubles and construction problems that dogged the project during an appearance on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” aired Wednesday.
At the center of the building’s financing was Senator Robin Padilla, who supplied the P150 million that covered the structure’s first construction phase. The figure originated as an estimate submitted by a contractor under Tirso Cruz III, who chaired the FDCP at the time the project was conceived.
“Dumaan kami sa kalahating butas ng karayom. Kasi originally, nung in-estimate ‘yan ng kontratista ni then-chairman Tirso Cruz, ang binigay na presyo 150 million to build that building,” Joey said.
That amount, it later turned out, funded only part of the work. When Joey took over as chairman, he was informed the building was done — but an inspection revealed roughly half of it remained unbuilt. Completing the structure required an additional P100 million the agency did not have.
“Sabi ko, jusko, san ako kukuha ng 100 million, ano? Kahit lumuhod ako sa lahat ng senador at congressman, san ako kukuha ng 100 million?” Joey said.
Seeking a way forward, Joey brought the situation to First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos in a meeting where he also learned who had carried out the work. The contractors were Sarah and Curlee Discaya, whose construction firms have been tied to the controversy over flood control projects — a detail that visibly caught the First Lady’s attention.
“Dun pumilantik ‘yung tainga ng First Lady,” Joey said. “Anyway, nung pumasok si [DPWH secretary] Vince Hizon, ni-require ng First Lady kay Vince na tapusin itong building.”
The Department of Public Works and Highways was directed to see the project through to completion, which Joey confirmed has now happened.
“Tapos na tapos na tapos na,” he said.
The facility was designed to serve as a central repository for Philippine cinema, holding a collection of Filipino films, memorabilia, and equipment for audiovisual preservation and restoration. It will also become the FDCP’s new headquarters and house both the Cinematheque Centre Manila and the Philippine Film Archive.
Construction began with a groundbreaking on 10/26/2023 in Intramuros. To build the facility, the FDCP — an office under the Office of the President — signed a tripartite agreement with the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority.
