I guess this is what happens when you elect an actor to the senate. He seems to think that the government, despite a multitude of problems flanking it, is in the business of helping out fellow actors, directors, producers, scriptwriters, and other film industry workers. Unfortunately, his fellow senators, possibly blinded by the possibility of cameras and luminaries in the senate floor (yes, tv time), seem to agree.

I'd like to know for one what, with the exception of the independent few, these folk have done for their country that they deserve a senate resolution, if not just for a few more actors begging to mingle with the political limelight, hoping for some rub-off for a possible run. Yes, everyone's having a hard time, but it really pays to have friends in the big house, does it?

Indeed, how many people are employed directly and indirectly by the local film industry? No more, I believe, than all those uninsured garbage collectors, who pick up our garbage everyday. Or, those journalists, writers and reporters -- true to their mandate of helping the republic government itself by watching over their elected officials -- whose numbers are being decimated by death threats or gunfire from baby armalites.

Even more infuriating is how our senate has come to create a committee on "trade and commerce, cinema affairs" (what's in a name anyway when you have a senate committee on "ethics and privileges," another on "ways and means" and another on "rules"). I guess it's a sub-committee, since T&C is a permanent committee on it's own. Still, how important is the local cinema industry anyway? Do they bring in much needed dollars, as much as, say, our mango industry whose state and importance certainly deserves senate attention? Are they so important that if they shrink to a less impressive number, the price of longganisa will rise?

My lack of sympathy is not meant to take away from Joel Lamangan's mission:

The film industry has been on a slump for several years now. Film production has declined steadily from an average of 130 full-length features films about seven years ago to only 80 in 2003 and to no more than 50 movies as of the end of November 2004.

But, let's face it. The local movie industry did it to itself, and Hollywood movies sell better than the sophomoric attempts they put out with very little pride. They poisoned their own well with brainless nude flicks, unintelligent teen bombs, rip-offs and low-budget cops and robbers productions, and actors who seem to think they can run for office, sing and dance at the same time. Their best-paying customer base, the middle class, is now far more enlightened possibly beyond the grasps of their pens and cameras. They must surely think that aging Enteng Kabisote is not Harry Potter. And if anyone out there can afford a movie at the mall, you might as well grab the bootleg and watch at home.

So now they need government protection and tax incentives, possibly more, to survive. They certainly don't need senatorial oversight, much more senator's precious speechtimes. No one batted for the local jeepney manufacturers when their industry grounded to a halt because of cheaper vehicles manufactured by multinational corporations.

Certainly, none of this really matters to the electorate, of course. They're too busy going gaga with images of Richard Gomez in the senate. That should certainly help him get a good script.