National Artist Ricky Lee addresses issues on selection process for scriptwriting workshop

After individuals raised questions on social media.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, December 9, National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee addressed concerns surrounding his free scriptwriting workshop, especially the selection process.

Some social media users pointed out that among those selected were artists and other workers in the entertainment industry, and alleged favoritism.

In response, the veteran book and screenwriter aired his side of the story.

He began by noting that after a few years of hiatus, the workshop was revived with the supprt of the Film Academy of the Philippines, with two batches comprising of 30 slots each.

“Alam naming maraming mag-aapply kaya di pa nag-uumpisa ang application, together with FAP and some friends coordinating the workshop, ay nagbalak na kami ng mga paraan upang mas maraming ma-accommodate,” he added.

Lee then reiterated that the selection committee followed guidelines in the process, giving equal opportunity, whether tehy are celebrities, veterans, or newbies. “Basta qualified, gustong makapagsulat, at angkop sa gagawing mix ng bawat batch,” he stressed.

He then mentioned that in the criteria of the application also included creative answers to questions, which also served as the basis for the selection process.

Moreover, the application process was also opened beyond the industry to include newbies that are only starting to realize their dreams of becoming a writer.

“Ang inisip ko na mix, na ginawa ko na noon pa sa Batch 15 at iba pang mga naging batch, ay pagsamahin ang nagtatrabaho na sa pelikula at hindi pa; nakapagsulat na at hindi pa; artista, cinematographer at iba pang kasali sa produksyon,” the National Artist continued.

He also explained that veterans usually help new entrants in his workshop. “Lahat ito, in the belief na mas inclusive ang ganitong sistema. Dahil sa karanasan ko ay hindi maganda ang homogenous o pare-parehong baguhan o pare-pareho ng pinanggalingan ang mga nasa batch.”

Hence, before the final deadline of applications, it was already discussed that there will be a Batch 32 for those newbies who were qualified, but were not able to meet the cut for Batches 30 and 31.

“Matagal at mabusisi ang naging proseso ng pagpili. Lahat ay dumaan sa application process at nagsulat ng mga hinihingi. Kung workshop ito na may bayad ay mas madali siguro ang pamimili dahil ang maging batayan ay ang kakayanang magbayad. Maraming natanggap na taga-pelikula at marami ang hindi natanggap. Marami ang kaibigan at anak ng kaibigan ang hindi rin natanggap. Sa huli, ang pinairal ay kung qualified ba, at angkop sa mix. Sa naging final results, halos kalahati pa rin ng bawat batch ay mga baguhan,” underscored Mr. Lee.

He noted that just as they expected, more than 200 people were clarified, which also led to the announcement of Batch 32 alongside the other two cohorts.

“Mas marami dito ang baguhan. Bago rin ang announcement, nasimula kaming mag-email sa lahat ng 2600 applicants para sabihin sa kanilang may bubuuing Batch 32 na manggagaling sa more than two hundred na qualified,” added Lee.

Meanwhile, it was already planned that for the thousands more who were still unable to make it, a whole-day session in a bigger venue had already beem planned for them, with online workshop also being plotted for those outside Metro Manila.

“More than four decades ko na itong ginagawa, at napatunayan ko nang nagwo-work ang sistema ko ng mixing sa bawat batch. Sana ay nagtiwala ang lahat na alam ko ang ginagawa ko at na masusi ko itong laging pinag-aaralan bawat hakbang nito,” the veteran screenwriter aired his frustration over the issue.

However, he also understood where they were coming from and told, “Alam ko kung paano makaramdam ng rejection dahil na-reject na rin ako nang maraming beses. Kaya alam ko ang nararamdaman ng mga hindi natanggap. Kaya sinikap pa naming hanggat makakaya ay gumawa ng paraan para mag-accommodate ng as many as possible.”

Lee also mentioned that his personal and free workshop, which he started as a personal project in 1982, is also his way of thanking the industry. Through which, he also decided to give active filmmakers, who had long applied to join the activity, spots in the prior two batches.

He also mentioned that even so, many others were still not included, as they were deemed unsuitable for the “mix” of workshoppers.

“Sa kabila ng lahat ng mga pangyayaring ito, gusto kong sabihing nakikinig ako, at natututo sa mga diskursong nagaganap. Gusto ko ring sabihing hindi pa rin nawawala ang drive at enthusiasm ko na makatulong sa ibang tao, sa abot ng aking makakaya,” the National Artist added.

To conclude his statement, he said, “Una at huling statement ko na sana ito dahil gusto kong mas ituon ang aking panahon at lakas sa pagtulong sa mas marami pang mga nangangarap magsulat. Pero kung kinakailangan, open naman akong makipag-dialogue dahil in the end, iisa lang naman ang hangarin nating lahat, ang makatulong sa iba at ang mapabuti ang ating industriya.“

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