Lingayen – World-renowned Italian-Iranian film artist Antonio Gellini visited the province of Pangasinan on August 23 to 27 to see the beautiful tourism attractions and historical sites of the province where participants of the Olympia awards he is considering to hold in the Philippines could visit and enjoy as part of their rest and recreation.
Escorted by Pangasinan Brotherhood – United States of America (PB-USA) president Jun Caringal and Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce Southeast corridor President Felix Lopez, Dr. Gellini was welcomed to the capitol building on August 23 by some department heads led by Sangguniang Panlalawigan secretary Verna Nava-Perez, on behalf of Governor Amado I. Espino, III.
Gellini, founder of the World Film Institute, The Family Film Awards on the CBS TV Network, Olympic Arts Institute and the Olympia awards, in a briefing held at the governor’s office told the provincial government department heads that he is travelling with his companions to search for places that could possibly serve as the host venue of the 2017 Olympia awards.
Part of Gellini’s travel to Pangasinan included trips to the Hundred Islands in Alaminos City, Lingayen airport, Sual seaport and other tourism attractions in Bolinao, Binmaley, Laoac and Urdaneta City.
Citing Pangasinan as a beautiful place to host an international gathering of artists, Gellini stressed that the opportunity of hosting the Olympia awards would help spur tourism and the economic aspect of a place.
The Olympia awards, much like the Olympic Games, is held every four years. It is composed of a pool of 250 artists and a panel of notable entertainment experts and film critics who will choose the top three choices in all 15 contest categories.
“In these changing times where the creation of visual images throughout the world can be shared through powerful media that cut across all boundaries, I believe that filmmakers have an important responsibility because what we can do can affect the entire world,” said Gellini who expounded his view on the role of an artist in the world today.
Gellini said that through visual stories that take viewers on an adventure, the humanity can eliminate the barriers of race, age, gender and religion.
Meanwhile, PB – USA president Caringal, bared that the visit of Gellini to Pangasinan would see prospects for investment and tourism promotions; and trade cooperation.
Lopez, on the other hand, said he encouraged his friend, Gellini, to visit Pangasinan, believing that the vast natural wonders of Pangasinan would captivate the attention of the international artist and urge him to bring his Olympia awards to the Philippines to highlight Pangasinan as a premiere tourism destination.
Notable winners of the Olympia awards include Tom Hanks (outstanding actor, feature film), Sandra Bullock (outstanding actress, feature film) and Ron Howard (outstanding director, feature film).
Other distinctions given during Olympia awards are related in the fields of music, dance, film, theatre, painting, sculpture and literature.
Chief Administrative Office Irmina Francisco, Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Benita Pizarro and Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Officer Malou Elduayan were also present in welcoming the international icon.