FAN Entertainment Group Unites Filmmakers & Non-Profit Orgs

Words by Edward J. Mallillin

Image by Stephen Dypiangco

So many Pilipino-American non-profit groups out there, many of which we don't even know about. So many Pilipino-American filmmakers out there, creating great art while hopeful people will support their hard work.

Hmm, somebody ought to bring these guys together!

FAN's Entertainment Division has done just that. The Filipino American Network's Entertainment Division has launched PROJECT PSA, an initiative for this fall intended to unite Pilipino filmmakers with Pilipino non-profit organizations.

This past weekend at Casa Princesa in Los Angeles (Eagle Rock), filmmakers and non-profit organizations came together to discuss the possibility of working together - creating a PSA (public service announcement) for the many great organizations in our community that want to better educate the public on their missions.

Filmmakers get the chance to use their talents to give themselves more exposure while also helping non-profit organizations send their messages to a larger, and potentially new, audience. Sounds like a win-win situation for the community.

"We thought this was the right time to unite people from different fields," said Jason Lopez, filmmaker and one of the co-chairs for this PROJECT PSA. "Even though people are coming from two different areas, we are all Pilipinos and this is a chance to work together for the common good."

Groups such as SIPA, Fil-Am Arts, and the Filipino American Educators of Los Angeles attended, as well as filmmakers Mitchel Dumlao, Eric Tandoc, and Patrick Epino. The FAN Entertainment Division the PROJECT PSA initiative are headed by four Pilipino filmmakers as well - Jason Lopez, Stephen Dypiangco, Walter Boholst, and Edward J. Mallillin.

While almost two dozen filmmakers and non-profit representatives attended, FAN/E is asking all interested filmmakers and non-profit organizations to contact them to join this community-uniting initiative. The PSAs will be showcased at a premiere party in mid-November that will bring together supporters of the many organizations and filmmakers who will have given their time and energy to such a worthy cause.

You can get involved by helping FAN/E identify the many non-profit orgs and filmmakers out there who still need to hear about this project. Please help spread the word, this is a chance to truly unite members of the Pilipino American community.

To learn more about FAN/E's PROJECT PSA, visit www.fanpsa.wordpress.com. Information about the Filipino American Network can be found at www.fanla.org. The PROJECT PSA is an initiative of the Filipino American Network Entertainment Division and everyone is encouraged to support this event by sharing the information with all interested parties. For other questions or comments please contact Edward J. Mallillin at EJM@bakitwhy.com or ED@fanla.org.