Liza Diño-Seguerra, the former Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) head, recognized the efforts being undertaken by the network to promote the globalization of Filipino talents, through its workshops.
As one of the special guests, invited to observe and take part, in the final stage of the workshops being held by Star Magic in North America, Diño-Seguerra will have the chance of meeting some Filipinos in the United States and Canada, who aspire to join the Philippine entertainment scene, someday. She noted that her training with director Rahyan Carlos, who has been heading ABS-CBN’s Star Magic Workshops for years.
“Thank you so much for supporting this initiative by Star Magic to globalize the kind of training that we can offer, not just for our homegrown industry, but for Filipinos all over the world, who are interested to actually be part of this expanding industry natin,” she said, noting the increasing visibility of Filipino talents in the international scene.
“Alam natin, recently, we should be happy that Dolly De Leon just got nominated for Golden Globes as Best Supporting Actress, alongside amazing Hollywood actresses. It’s just really a testament to the talent that we have in our industry. I’ve always been a champion of training.”
Diño-Seguerra also believes that Filipinos and other Asian talents are currently in an advantageous position to make a mark in the global market, as Asians have been increasingly recognized and utilized in new productions, everywhere in the world.
“It’s actually an advantage right now, to be Asian, especially in this wave of diversity and inclusion. There is always an opportunity and a slot for a person of other ethnicity to be part of an international production. So if there’s a time to try, it’s now,” she proudly shared.
“The Filipinos are very on trend right now because of the sporadic successes of our artists, may it be in music or acting, or in other fields. Alam naman natin na may Bruno Mars, H.E.R.,Olivia Rodrigo, all those of Filipino descent,” she said, noting how such personalities created a trend for other Filipino talents to follow. She also took her chance to note the Filipino talents’ improving visibility on the global stage, saying we now have more reasons to be proud of being Filipinos.
“Ngayon, pag Filipino ka, ‘wow cool ka’, ‘wow talented ka’. That’s something that’s creating a lot of curiosity for international stakeholders, especially those in the global industry,” she added.
She then expressed her optimism for other production companies and media entities to follow ABS-CBN’s path, and collectively globalize our talents for the whole world to see.
“I hope na hindi lang ABS-CBN o Star Magic ang gumawa, kundi buong industriya natin sa Pilipinas, because a high tide lifts all boats. Hindi puwedeng isa-isa lang eh, kaya tayo nakikita ngayon because eof our consistency and our visibility.”
Diño-Seguerra is set for an acting comeback, via the ABS-CBN primetime series, Dirty Linen, which, incidentally, also features Dolly De Leon.
