Carl Balita pays homage to nurses via new film
Spearheaded by multi-awarded entrepreneur Carl Balita, a film “for the nurses, by the nurses” is now in the works and set to hit the big screen in April 2023.
Titled “Siglo ng Kalinga,” the two-hour film is meant to pay homage to today’s modern heroes through various stories inspired by the life of Philippine Nursing legend Anastacia Giron-Tupas.
Anastacia, one of the most distinguished and revered Filipino nurse leaders in the world, is the first Filipino nurse to hold the position of Chief Nurse Superintendent of the Philippine General Hospital School of Nursing and held that position from 1917 until 1923. The Ilocana native also founded the Philippine Nurses Association.
A registered nurse himself, Carl shared, “Anastacia Giron-Tupas led quite a life mostly in service of the people and it would really be nice to show it to nurses of today to inspire them, to instill pride in them regarding their chosen profession.”
Teaming up with Philippine Nurses Association, Carl wanted to break the stigma about their profession.“Karamihan kasi andun pa rin ang mentality na katulong o utusan lang ng doktor ang nurse. I want to change that mentality.” He added, “I want the nurses to dream to be nurses again when they watch this film. I want them to commit that in their next lives they will continue to become nurses because of the pride that we will give after watching this film.”
The film also doubles as a celebration of the 100th year of nursing in the country. Proud of his fellow nurses, Carl gleefully said, “ang layo na ng narating ng nursing sa bansa. Global na nga tayo and we Filipinos are considered among the best in the field so I think this film is quite timely.”
Directed by multi-awarded Lem Lorca and written by Archie Del Mundo, “Siglo ng Kalinga” will cast real-life nurses.
Although they know that it will be extra challenging to cast non-celebrities, Carl and his team is more than willing to take the risk. “I felt lang na mas maganda, mas relatable kapag nurses din ang stars ng film. Naniniwala ako na maraming mga nurses diyan na may talent sa acting so we are going to tap into that.”
The producer will even hold a national search among nurses for the most prominent roles.
Asked if he’s looking at celebrities to tap even for minor roles, he says nursing graduates and practitioners Rocco Nacino, Princess Punzalan, and Carol Banawa are among his options.
Carl is not new in producing quality and award-winning films. He and his team of creatives worked on “Nars”(2007) and “Ang Maestra” (2013) which received several recognitions within the country and abroad.
“Siglo ng Kalinga” is set to hit the cinema in April 2023.
