Stunt actors have some of the most dangerous jobs in the local entertainment industry and yet we hardly see any organization giving them the honor they deserve. This is the fact that inspired YesPinoy Foundation Inc. to start a training program that puts the spotlight on these “unsung heroes.”
“They are always in the background but most of the time they’re life and safety are at risk,” actor and YesPinoy Foundation Inc. chairman Dingdong Dantes said. “We want to honor the unsung heroes of our industry. They are the frontliners and yet hindi naman sila ang laging nasa harap ng camera at nabibigyan ng exposure.
With this in mind, YesPinoy Foundation Inc. spearheaded a training program for the local stunt actors and directors in the country in collaboration with the Stunt Association of the Philippines (SAP) and Seoul Action School-Korea for its first-ever international project dubbed as Project #BeScene or Be Seen.
“We called it #BeScene because we wanted to put the spotlight on them, it’s their chance now to be seen,” Dingdong explained.
“Our projects will not be successful without our stunt actors who put their lives at stake. It’s about time that we honor them, who we consider as unsung heroes of the entertainment industry, and help them advance their skills, welfare, and safety,” he added.
Dingdong partnered with the Seoul Action School – a renowned training association in Korea that teaches martial arts and other physical training for film and television. They are the people behind award-winning and critically-acclaimed films and television programs such as Goblin, Netflix’ Kingdom, Mr. Sunshine, Battleship Island, Train to Busan, and Okja, among others.
An advocate of youth empowerment and nation-building initiatives, Dingdong convened together all stunt actors and directors in the country for a series of extensive training and seminars from July 15 to 21. The vigorous yet didactic program concluded with a graduation ceremony and exhibition program for the participants on July 21 at GMA Network Studio 4.
The timely project not only aimed to educate action stars, budding stunt actors, and even the out-of-school youth but also uplift the safety and welfare of the audiovisual industry by further developing the skills of stunt people in the country.
Trainees of the program also underwent coaching from the Philippine Red Cross and were certified by the organization to provide emergency response and basic first aid. Moreover, FWD Life Insurance Corporation Philippines, one of the leading insurance companies in Asia, discussed financial literacy among stunt people.
Present during the graduation rites were Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Executive Director David Fabros, Seoul Action School – Korea Action Director Bruce Sunwoong Kim, Brian Poe Llamanzares, Mark Lapid, Quezon City Cong. Alfred Vargas, and SAP officials Ian Ignacio, Ralphe Roxas, and Erwin Tagle.
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Musta campaign wins at Tambuli Awards
In the day and age of tweets, posts, and messaging apps, human interaction has taken a less personal approach. Online interaction seems to be threatening social activities, like knocking back a tall cold one with friends.
Therein lies San Miguel Beer’s higher purpose— to have people log-off, put down their smartphones, and engage each other over bottles of San Miguel Beer.
The “Musta” campaign was a wakeup call for those always online. It reminded them that social media is not a replacement for socialization, and chat rooms will never replace conversations.
Aside from the millions of drinkers the campaign engaged, “Musta” bagged San Miguel Beer a metal at the recent Tambuli Awards, which honors “creative and effective brands with purpose”.
This win is a testament that analogue is not dead, online is fleeting, and nothing beats actual and real face time over a bottle or two of the country’s favorite beer.