THE MOVIE Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund) has tied up with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to provide a livelihood project for Mowelfund beneficiaries.

The partnership, which allows beneficiaries to be dealers or agents of sweepstakes tickets, was launched during the foundation?s 37th anniversary celebration held recently at the Mowelfund Plaza, Quezon City.

?For 10 years now, the PCSO has been providing free medical and dental services to our beneficiaries. Starting this year, these members can be sweepstakes agents,? Mowelfund executive director Boots Anson-Roa told Inquirer Entertainment on Tuesday. ?And for every sweepstakes booklet sold, the PCSO will also give Mowelfund an incentive.?

Roa said Mowelfund officials recently met with PCSO chair Margie Juico, who was one of the guests during the anniversary celebration, to discuss the mechanics of the tie-up.

Erap?s talk

The celebration started with a Mass at 1 p.m., followed by free medical and dental services for the beneficiaries. A children?s party for some 300 dependents of the foundation?s members was also held at the Mowelfund compound.

Several show biz stars and supporters who were invited but failed to make it to the affair sent cash donations and raffle prizes. Among them were actors Cesar Montano, Sharon Cuneta, Amy Austria, Lorna Tolentino, Coco Martin, Tonton Gutierrez, Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos, ABS-CBN president Charo Santos-Concio, Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Tito Sotto and Juan Ponce Enrile; and film producer Tony Tuviera.

Guest of honor was former President and Mowelfund founder and chairman emeritus Joseph Estrada, who gave an inspirational talk. Roa recounted: ?He said Mowelfund has withstood its own typhoons, earthquakes and tsunami, and nothing can bring it down. It is now serving 4,500 people.?

Established in 1974, Mowelfund has been helping its members not only through hospitalization, surgery, medical reimbursements and death benefits, but also through livelihood, alternative income opportunities and housing projects.

Its board of trustees is led by film industry stalwart Marichu Vera-Perez Maceda, who sits as chair. National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Eddie Romero is vice chair. Other board members are film director Edgardo ?Boy? Vinarao, composer Josefino Cenizal, and actors Rez Cortez and Roa.

Representatives from film studios LVN, Premiere and Sampaguita graced the event for the formal turnover of their respective memorabilia to the Mowelfund Museum.

Major projects

In her annual status report, Roa announced major projects of Mowelfund this year. On April 28, a celebrity bowling fundraiser will be held at the Paeng Eastwood Bowl, Quezon City. Celebrities and personalities in government and the private sector are expected to participate, she said. The tourney is a partnership with Eastwood developer Megaworld and bowling champ Paeng Nepomuceno.

A ?mammoth extravaganza,? tentatively titled ?Pinilakang Tabing,? will be held on June 22 at the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). Roa said the event will commemorate the 92nd founding anniversary of Philippine movies by Jose Nepomuceno.

It will be a mix of songs, dances and recollections, Roa said. CCP resident director Chris Millado will be at the helm. The presentation is supported by the Film Development Council of the Philippines.

Also happening in June is the 1st Dubai Filipino Film Festival, where Roa has been invited to give lectures on Filipino film history and film appreciation. There will be simultaneous free screenings for Filipino communities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Organizers have pledged P350,000 as donation to the foundation, Roa said.

The Mowelfund Film Museum is still actively bringing movies to schools in the provinces to promote film appreciation.

There are two filmmaking courses held every year?one in May and another in September.