Dr. Carl Balita Productions and Philippine Nurses Association and Philippine Nurses Association of American Foundation have initially set their grand scheme to distribute the film “Siglo ng Kalinga” to the Filipino American communities, hospitals, and screening venues in the United States, right after the international festival premieres.
A Memorandum of Understanding was recently signed between Dr. Balita and PNAAF headed by their president Nancy Nolasco Hoff during the PNAAF 6th International Collaborative Conference last January 21-22 at the Vigan Convention Center. Part of the proceeds of the USA screenings will be donated to PNAAF.
Dr. Carl Balita Productions’ “Siglo ng Kalinga” ( “A Century of Care”) is a groundbreaking film with an all-nurse cast aimed at celebrating 100 years of the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA).
It is produced by Dr. Balita and directed by the award-winning filmmaker Lemuel Lorca. Dr. Balita said his life and career have been devoted to nursing and it is his dream to elevate the profession to a higher level of appreciation through this film.
“We wish to inspire the entire nursing communities, in the Philippines and internationally, to see and appreciate the film with the highest pride and gratitude. We created this film to educate everyone about the significance of nurses in national healthcare. We are adhered to promoting the nursing profession to incoming college freshmen and inspire and honor the practicing nurses in the country,” he said.
“Siglo ng Kalinga” is the first film featuring to have an all-nurses cast composed of Joy Ras, Tads Obach, Bambi Rojas, Ellener Cruz, Joel Rey Carcasona, Aldrin Samson, Irma Bustamante, Jewell Alano, Abbey Romero, Anna Illescas, Lorrich Del Castilo, Denmark Mismanos, Aya Sarmiento, Jam Sandiego, Val Ramilo, Jerico Roque, and VJ Mendoza. Nursing leaders and luminaries, mostly deans and presidents of nursing schools and PNA officers, also play vital roles, such as Dr. Cora Anonuevo, Mila Llanes, Betty Merritt, Remedios Fernandez, Rita Tamse, Clare Curato, Frances Cuevas, Nerissa Gerial, and PNA national president Melvin Miranda.
PNAAF president Nolasco-Hoff shared that there are more than 160,000 foreign nurses in the USA alone, and half of the population are Filipinos. This figure is a clear indication that a film about nurses would be very well-received in the healthcare communities in America.
She also stressed the sacrifices and heroism of nurses during the pandemic should be highlighted in tributes and in legislation to protect and uplift their rights and welfare.
