Manila Film Center - History

History

Prior to the Manila film center, the Philippines did not have an official national film archive which is why on January 1981, then first lady Imelda Marcos spearheaded the building of the first Manila Center. Under the supervision of Mrs. Betty Benitez-the spouse of the then Deputy MHS Minister Jose Conrado Beneitez organized a group to pursue the project. Mr. Ramon M. Ignacio, Senior Technology Officer at the Technology Resource Center conceptualized the project and its various components. He likewise prepared the feasibility study. Among the Film Center's project components were the 360 degrees theatre that will show images of past and present historical and tourism scenes for the future generations to see; the Film Financing/Loan Program that will address funding of meritable films, the Filipino Film Archiving using Digital Storage (was little known during those times); Film Database/Information system; Film Making and Blow Up Laboratory; Viewing rooms for the Board of Censors and other minor sub-components. However, despite the futuristic and concept creativity of Mr. Ramon M. Ignacio, only two of the project components were actually done. Unesco’s assistance was invaluable in the design of the archives, so they were asked to be consultants of the project. Several ocular visits were done by Unesco in 1981 where they were responsible for major consultations needed in the structure’s erection. The building was then designed to have two components which were the auditoria and archives. According to Architect Hong, the foundation was set on reclaimed land near the Manila Bay. Since the deadline of the structure was tight, it required 4,000 workers, working in 3 shifts across 24 hours. One thousand workers constructed the lobby in 72 hours, a job which would normally entail six weeks of labor. The Film Center opened in 1982 costing at an estimate of $25 million.