PH movie companies suspend film production

MANILA, Philippines – Movie studios announced that they will suspend shooting movies scheduled March 15 onwards after the government’s announcement of a community quarantine in Metro Manila due to the rising cases of coronavirus in the country.

On Instagram, Regal Entertainment Inc producer Roselle Monteverde posted the guidelines from the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).

“On behalf of Regal, sadly, we need to postpone all scheduled shootings from March 15 until situation permits or until community quarantine ends or gets lifted. Stay safe everyone.”

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On behalf of Regal, sadly, we need to postpone all scheduled shootings from March 15 until situation permits or until community quarantine ends or gets lifted. Stay safe everyone.

A post shared by roselle_monteverde (@roselle_monteverde) on Mar 13, 2020 at 10:01am PDT

ABS-CBN Films, which includes Star Cinema, Black Sheep, Cinebro, and Cinema One Originals, also halted the production of films. “The welfare of our staff, artists, their families and the general public is our foremost concern.  Stay healthy and be safe everyone,” they said. 

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A post shared by ABS-CBN Films, Star Cinema (@starcinema) on Mar 13, 2020 at 11:53pm PDT

Reality Entertainment also announced it will suspend movie production.

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A post shared by Dondon Monteverde (@dondonmonteverde) on Mar 13, 2020 at 10:32pm PDT

Viva Communications Inc announced it suspended production of its various movie, TV, and special projects, effective March 13

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A post shared by VIVA ARTISTS AGENCY (@vivaartistsagency) on Mar 14, 2020 at 8:46am PDT

TV networks ABS-CBN and GMA 7 have announced that they will be suspending the production of their live shows and teleseryes.

On Thursday, March 12, President Rodrigo Duterte announced that Metro Manila will be on lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Duterte had earlier declared a state of public health emergency after health officials announced more confirmed coronavirus cases, including the first case of local transmission in the Philippines.

On Saturday, plans to place Metro Manila under curfew from 8 pm to 5 am beginning Sunday, March 15 to coincide with the lockdown was announced. The Metro Manila mayors have also been asked to close establishments such as malls to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.  – Rappler.com