SONA film crew shoots in Benguet
LA TRINIDAD Mayor Romeo Salda confirmed film director Joyce Bernal and her crew shot scenes in the town for the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Salda added the team pushed through their shooting in Mt. Yangbew, a tourist destination which can be reached in 15 to 30 minutes from Baguio City and shows a 360 degree view of the valley.
On Thursday, July 9, the crew pushed through filming in Mt. Yangbew, and as of writing, it is unclear if the team shoot in barangay Bahong, where flower farming thrives.
The team was advised
to follow physical distancing and no contact of persons in the area while following health protocols for Covid-19.
According to SunStar Baguio sources, a letter on July 3 signed by Bernal was forwarded to the municipality addressed to ‘whom it may concern’ asking for a permission for their 13 man team to film in lieu of the upcoming SONA.
The team is set to shoot in Mt. Sto. Tomas, flower farms in Bahong, Alphaland in Beckel, Mt. Kalugong and Mt. Yangbew; all in La Trinidad and Northern Blossoms in Atok.
“We are aware that most of these places are strictly taking precautionary measures as to the health crisis, we are facing. We do guarantee that the production team underwent proper medical tests, are not experiencing symptoms related to Covid-19 and are adhering to the necessary precautions and complying with safety and health protocols of Baguio and Benguet,” the letter said.
The letter added “we are assuring your office that there will be no filming that will be conducted in any public place nor shall we interact with the locals. We will be covering natural areas and locations. We also want to guarantee the safety of the place we intend to go to, thus, extra health and safety preparations and measures shall be done before, during and after the travel and conduct of the shoot. We will be using disinfectants and UV light sanitizer to sterilize our equipment and vehicles.”
Tublay Mayor Armando Lauro confirmed on Friday he also received a call this week from a coordinator of the group asking to shoot in the town.
Lauro said he denied the request and did not allow the team to shoot as the town and Benguet province is back in general community quarantine, adding the group is welcome to shoot some other time.
The mayor also cited they cannot sacrifice the health of their constituents as there are currently two positive Covid-19 cases in the municipality.
Since the start of the community quarantine in March, tourism related activities in all Benguet towns are closed to the tourists.
Atok Mayor Raymundo Sarac said there are still no verbal and written intent for the group to shoot in the town but in accordance to the executive order, tourism still suspended.
“If in case there are request, the council and I would not permit them (to shoot) as we are not ready.
It will create confusion if there will be someone to shoot there, that is already open,” the mayor explained in the local dialect.
Tuba Mayor Clarita Sal-ongan said Mt. Sto Tomas is also under Writ of Kalikasan and tourism activities, including shooting in the area is not allowed.
“I don’t care if other towns will accept them or not, but for Tuba we will not allow,” she said.
Benguet province was placed back to GCQ starting July 1 to 15 as ordered by the National IATF.