The Embassy of the Philippines in Wellington, in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and Artikulo Uno Productions launched the 2016 Philippine Embassy and Cinema Sentro Festival with a screening of Heneral Luna (General Luna) at the Soundings Theatre of Te Papa Museum in Wellington, New Zealand on 12 August 2016. The 2016 Film Festival is being held as part of the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Philippines-New Zealand Diplomatic Relations and the Commemoration of National Heroes Day.

More than 100 members of the Filipino community from all over the Greater Wellington Area as well as invited guests from the diplomatic corps and the private sector attended the screening of Heneral Luna, a film by Director Jerrold Tarog on the life of General Antonio Luna.

In his remarks, Ambassador Domingo provided insight on the historical era in which the film Heneral Luna was set. The Ambassador himself was dressed in period costume in honor of the movie which he stated was his favorite Filipino film with its dramatic sequences and “uncanny” research on historical facts.

Ms. Daphne Ong Chiu, Chief Finance Officer of TBA (Tuko Film Productions, Buchi Boy Entertainment and Artikulo Uno Productions) and Line Producer for Heneral Luna stated that the film is considered a “game changer” in the Philippine movie industry as it holds the distinction of being the highest grossing independent and historical movie in the country “despite being a small and independent film”.

An Open Forum and a game portion for Heneral Luna ensued after the film showing. Ms. Chiu held a substantial Question & Answer portion and announced that Heneral Luna is the first instalment of the Hero Trilogy under Artikulo Uno Productions and urged the audience to watch out for the second instalment which will be on the life and times of Gregorio del Pilar. Ambassador Domingo and Ms. Chiu also initiated a Heneral Luna game where three members of the audience won a Heneral Luna t-shirt each. The 2016 Philippine Embassy and Cinema Sentro Festival will continue on 28 August 2016 and will be showing the last two films of the Film Festival, namely, Bonifacio, Ang Unang Pangulo (Bonifacio, The First President) and K’na, The Dreamweaver, at Soundings Theatre in Te Papa Museum.