Building A Legacy: Creating Impact Across Generations
Written by Josh Fernandez
Artwork by Sami Salazar
As we face a brand new year, we tend to create resolutions and promises to ourselves. Oftentimes, we make or take something that is only good for a limited time, but it is much better to create something that lasts! By doing this, building a legacy is an intentional journey, and it can also be a transformative way to impact your life and the lives of others for generations to come.
Building your legacy isn’t about everything, everywhere, all at once, it’s about the consistent and intentional actions you take over time. We must shift our focus from temporary achievements to a long-lasting impact, which can ultimately bring us a greater sense of purpose.
“For every one hundred men who can stand adversity, there is only one who can withstand prosperity.“
Thomas Carlyle
There is no doubt Filipinos can excel in every aspect; subjectively speaking, we have the best nurses, medical practitioners, engineers, and workers worldwide. In music, we have launched the talent of Lea Salonga on Broadway, along with the likes of SB19 and BINI making waves in the modern pop scene. In sports, we have produced Manny Pacquiao as a household name in boxing, and the record-breaking victories of Hidilyn Diaz and Carlos Yulo in the Olympics. In contrast to these achievements, we pose the question: does our local Philippine cinema have a fighting chance in the global arena? Do we still have the drive to prove our films to be watch-worthy across audiences?
In recent years, the entries from the Metro Manila Film Festival have become increasingly promising, especially those from the recent 50th edition of the festival held last year, which includes the movies ‘Green Bones’ (Zig Dulay), ‘Isang Himala’ (Pepe Diokno), ‘The Kingdom’ (Mike Tuviera), ‘And the Breadwinner Is…’ (Jun Lana), among others. All of these films will be exhibited in the 2nd Manila International Film Festival, scheduled to take place in Hollywood, Los Angeles in March. To aid with the success of these movies, the government is continuously pouring support into our film industry through the programs and initiatives created by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).
Our cultural and historical background shapes our storytelling and reflects our crafts as Filipinos. Surely, we’ve learned a lot from various global best practices, from the technicalities to the execution of storytelling and marketing. In reality, our film industry is one of the hallmarks of local arts and culture, and our artistic hearts and minds will always develop a creative narrative. We have endured unprecedented challenges in life and there would always be an inspiration to come up with a story.
For the past century, the Philippine film industry has experienced multiple victories and setbacks in many ways. We were the first among Asian neighboring countries to pioneer cinema and have become inspirations for countless Western directors we know of today. We’ve learned lots of stories from the first generation of Filipino filmmakers, and we may have used this as a learning tool for us to be equipped and guided for what’s to come. With that, we must remember: let us not forget we have our purpose, and why we were called to be part of this industry. Let us not drop this ball for the sake of Filipinos who need inspiration and hope to encourage our countrymen to upgrade their lives.
“If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”
Sir Isaac Newton
As we give honor to these early generations of filmmakers, we can be reminded of the message of the song “MAPA” by Filipino pop group SB19. The track’s context is a tribute to all parents, how “MAPA” is not just about a map — but serves as a directional guide, by our “Mama and Papa” — our parents. “MAPA” may also mean “Mata at Paa”, (“Eyes and Feet”). We can apply this double entendre in the context of the next generation of filmmakers: the first generation poured out everything for the betterment of the second generation, who will now take over and continue on what the first generation has started.
“…At kahit na kailan pa ma’y ‘di mawawala,
‘Pagkat dala ko ang mapa,
Sa’n man mapunta alam kung sa’n nagmula.”
[English translation]
“I will not be lost as I brought the map with me,
Wherever I go, I know where I came from.”
Our generation may take this for granted, having been spoonfed their knowledge from those who came before us. Our advantages are the technology we currently have, that we enjoy multiple platforms on which our films can be shown, and that we enjoy the fast-paced production process of creating new cinematic features. However, let us not forget the pain and sacrifices that our early filmmakers have gone through. Our industry is in pursuit of excellence, and let us hope that the present time is the prime moment to show the world what we’ve got.
“Thoughts lead on to purposes, purposes go forth in action, actions form habits, habits decide character, and character fixes our destiny.”
Tryon Edwards
Our impact doesn’t have to be a significant one, but even a simple contribution to the industry is still a legacy you can leave. This is the best gift we can pass on for generations to come.