Mowelfund turns 48, reaffirms mandate for marginalized members

The Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund) which celebrated its 48th year last month, took the one step backward in 2020 due to the pandemic. Nevertheless, the foundation continued with its mandate of providing health, welfare and film education benefits to its members and beneficiaries.

With strict protocols and lockouts in observance, Mowelfund, instead, brought regular benefits and “ayuda” to its members' homes. On more opportune occasions, it scheduled small gatherings to distribute cash gifts and groceries to members who could commute.

On the education end, the Mowelfund Film Institute conducted various webinars and online master classes in acting with Leo Martinez, directing with Joey Reyes, scriptwriting with Ricky Lee and cinematography with Raymond Red.

During the Covid interim, Mowelfund successfully engaged in a joint realty project with developer Victor Consunji and company so that it could transfer to its modest building. The foundation is now completing the finishing touches, interior design and furnishing. In the future, it will install equipment, technical provisions and amenities for classrooms, production facilities and for a state-of-the-art 54-seat theatre.

The Mowelfund Board, Execom and staff completed a three-day strategic planning and team building session last month. The strategic planning endeavor laid concrete plans for a sustainable development program that will allow the foundation to continue with its welfare and education mandates until and beyond 2024 when Mowelfund commemorates its 50th year.

Mowelfund expressed its gratitude to former President Joseph Estrada for his vision in founding the organization in 1974 to help provide medical and health benefits as well as film education opportunities to marginalized movie industry workers.

Mowelfund is guided and inspired by its Board of Directors headed by Chairman Boots Anson Roa Rodrigo, Vice Chairman Gina Alajar, direk Edgardo “Boy” Vinarao, CMB head Jim Baltazar, Foundation President and COO Rez Cortez and Vice President and COO Julius Topacio. Day to day management and operations are conducted by the Executive Committee headed by Cortez and Topacio with Administration and Finance Director Emma Mon Alon, Welfare Director Joey Roa and Education Director Ricky Orellana as members.