Group of actors formed to speak out about artists’ freedom of expression

FILE: Big boss (Photo: Dingdong Dantes/Facebook)

‘The conscience to defend our natural aim to create new stories that will help in building a better country.’ This is what the new group of actors, AKTOR (League of Filipino Actors), wants a community to have in facing several threats to freedom of expression in content creation.

While it was formed on May 30, Dingdong Dantes in a Facebook live, unveiled the group and its aims on Thursday, July 2 through a prepared statement.

He said that there hasn’t been an ‘organized voice’ for actors when it comes to current issues, as well as, a ‘true’ embodiment of their sector, for a long time.

“Madalas itinuturing na lamang ang karamihan ng mga aktor na mga manika at tau-tauhan na panlibang at nagdudulot ng saya. Dala na din siguro ito ng maling pag-unawa sa totoong kalagayan ng mga actor sa kabuuan. (Most of the time, a lot of actors are just treated as dolls and figures of entertainment. Maybe it is because of the wrong understanding of the what actors really are in reality),” he read, adding that this is the time to end this belief.

“Tumitindig ang AKTOR ngayon bilang responsable at mahalagang bahagi ng lipunan at kinatawan ng industriya (AKTOR takes a stand as a responsible and important part of society that represents the industry),” he said.

He then discussed the group being against laws that step on their ‘freedom of creation’ and anything that will ‘invade the industry processes without proper consultation of its workers.’

“Iginigiit namin na dapat bukas at malaya ang anumang daluyan ng impormasyon at likhang sining para sa kapakanan ng higit na nakararami (We emphasize on the openness and freedom of any flow of information between art and the sake of many),” Dingdong continued saying.

AKTOR condemned the ‘lack of a comprehensive plan and right focus’ of the government’s handling of COVID-19,’ saying that its focus is on content creators. The group cited several issues such as the shutdown of ABS-CBN, the anti-terrorism bill which critics have pointed out to possibly violate freedom of expression, and the ‘clarificatory guidelines’ set by the Film Development Council.

“Nito namang katapusan ng Hunyo, itinakda ng Film Development Council ang protocol na nagpapalawak sa kanyang saklaw at nang walang konsiderasyon sa napagkaisahang guidelines ng InterGuild Alliance na siyang tunay na kinatawan ng mga manggagawa sa industriya ng pelikula. (Just this late June, the Film Development Council declared protocols that will enhance its control without consideration of the agreed guidelines by the InterGuild Alliance, which is the true representative of the film industry’s workers),” he said.

As an end to the written statement, Dingdong said that all of the mentioned issues and rules ‘aim to control the flow of storytelling.’ It also creates a ‘culture of fear,’ he said.

Other members of AKTOR are Agot Isidro, Angelica Panganiban, Cherry Pie Picache, Iza Calzado, Joel Torre, Meryll Soriano, Joem Bascom, and many more.