PANDEMIC seems to be a never-ending story. It’s been 9 months since everyone was thrown into difficulties of making both ends meet.
Showbiz saw a lot of celebrities losing jobs due to the closure of one major channel plus the sad fact that there are no projects for movies when Covid-19 started invading everyone’s life. No one is spared even the most established stars.
Director-actor Leo Martinez even with a very impressive records as a celebrity also suffered from the pain of the Covid-19 crisis.
According to former Director General of the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP), he has no source of funds since lockdown. “It’s a very difficult time. All you can depend on is God. I had 2 Palipas Oras projects on Facebook namely “Doon Po Sa Amin” and “Sine Wikain” which was adopted by FDCP. I give “No Acting Please “workshops and I am helping my friend Edwin dela Torre with his advocacy “Bawat tahanan at tanggapan may halaman” and his water bonsai invention”, Martinez said. We are scheduled to resume taping of GMA7 teleserye and finished our Viva production shoot with Janno Gibbs, Dennis Padilla, Andrew E etc. Lately, I am also evaluating other offers.”
When asked about the controversy on his retirement benefits from FAP being a Director-General which allegedly was barred from its release by the current DG of the organization, Direk Leo has this to say: “As you put it, half of my benefits which was awarded to me by the FAP Board (governing body) has been held by current DG. We have issued an appeal to Executive Secretary Medialdea because FAP is under the Office of the President who forwarded the appeal to FAP. No reply still from current DG.”
Once a co-founder of the Repertory of the Philippines in 1967, Martinez started his career as an actor in 1959 and TV Director in 1981. It was in 1967 when he started acting in films. His memorable films include Kakabakaba, Juan Tamad meets Mr. Shooli in Mongolian BBQ, Batanggenyong Kabitenyo, Ober da Bakod, Ibong Adarna, OTJ, Heneral Luna. He won an MMFF Best Supporting Actor as Congressman Manhik Manaog in Juan Tamad meets Mr. Shooli in Mongolian BBQ.
Despite the hardships brought about the pandemic, Direk Leo never lose hope. He believes he turns to God as his strongest weapon to fight the crisis.
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