As a direct response to the growing demand for skilled professionals in the film and video production industry and in alignment with its strategic goals and commitment to developing in-demand training programs, the Regional Training Center – NCR (RTC-NCR) in partnership with CMB Films, successfully conducted a three-day activity for the Functional Analysis and CS Development for Film and Video Production on October 8-10, 2025, at the CMB Films Head Office, 5 llaw, San Francisco, Quezon City, Metro Manila.
The activity commenced with an opening program and acknowledgement of participants led by Ms. Aryan R. Beciril, who served as the Master of Ceremony. Mr. Eugene P. Agcaoili, the Center Administrator of RTC-NCR, formally welcomed the participants, which included the industry experts, facilitators, various technical assistants and RTC-NCR staff. In his message, he highlighted the importance of industry partnership in aligning training programs with evolving needs of the labor market.
Following this, Mr. Jaime Baltazar of CMB films expressed his message of support and set the tone for the three-day activity by emphasizing the importance of the collaboration between CMB films and TESDA in developing the standards for skilled and competent Filipino workers for the film industry.
Mr. Jaime Baltazar expressing his message of support during the opening ceremony.
Afterwards, Ms. Leizelle R. Guamos, a facilitator from TESDA Muntiparlas-tapat district, led an activity overview and orientated the participants on the basics of a functional analysis and competency standards. She explained what the documents are used for, the format of the documents, and how it will be developed throughout the following days. After a quick break, the other facilitator, Mr. Nelson Efren, was introduced and promptly began guiding the participants through the functional analysis.
In the middle of the session, Engr. Joven R. Ferrer Jr., Regional Director of TESDA NCR, arrived in time for the Film and Video Production Walkthrough, led by Dir. Lauro Rene Manda. The demonstration showcased actual film crew members, particularly Grips, displaying their skills in setting up and assembling grip equipment so that the facilitator may better understand industry practices and help guide the discussion better.
Technical experts and technical assistants listening to the activity overview of the three-day event.
Ms. Leizelle R. Guamos orienting the participants on their target documentary outputs for the three-day event.
Engr. Joven R. Ferrer Jr., Mr. Jaime Baltazar, and Mr. Nelson Efren featured in one of the film displays during the Film and Video Production Walkthrough
Grips operating film equipment with the instruction of Dir. Lauro Rene Manda during the Film and Video Production Walkthrough
The discussion continued with Dir. Larry Manda explaining the organizational structure and workflow of the current movie and television industry in the Philippines in order to give context to the participants so they can set clear boundaries between job roles and the type of training they want to provide for each.
Dir. Lauro Rene Manda explaining the organizational structure and workflow of the current movie and television industry in the Philippines to the facilitator, Mr. Nelson Efren while head of CMB films, Mr. Jaime Baltazar, stands by.
Key Notes from the Competency Standards Discussion on October 9, 2025
- Industry specific terminologies were introduced to the document and former wordings were discussed, clarified, and adjusted to better align the competency standards to the industry practices.
- Technical experts clarified the distinctions between different terminology in order to reach an agreement on which terms to use.
- Continued the discussion of safety, what will be the source of the guidelines, how to implement it, and who are the responsible parties for implementing it.
- A heated discussion between the facilitator and the technical experts on the tentative title of the training program that encompasses the entirety of what the competency standard seeks to express.
- Dir. Mackie Galvez brought up the importance of using correct terminology in the document as a means for safeguarding the standardized system from those who wish to take advantage of loopholes in the legal system.
Key Notes from the Competency Standards Discussion on October 10, 2025
- Technical experts finalizing the title of the competency standards via discussion and vote.
- Technical experts agree on the title “Film Crew – Grip Operation Level II”
- Facilitator explained the next steps going forward to the participants.
The activity concluded with a brief closing program, where Mr. Jerry O. Taroy, Supervising TESD Specialist, shared his final thoughts on the event. He regards the event as the beginning to the start of a long journey and looks forward to strengthening RTC-NCR’s partnership with CMB Films.
As a part of the closing program, certificates were awarded to acknowledge the active participation and support of CMB Films, the technical experts, technical assistants, and facilitators. The certificates were personally awarded by Mr. Jerry O. Taroy, Ms. Leizielle R. Guamos and Mr. Nelson Efren in recognition and appreciation of the valuable contributions made by the participants throughout the activity.
Mr. Jerry O. Taroy awarding the Certificate of Recognition to the head of CMB Films Mr. Jaime Baltazar during the closing ceremony.
