Filmmaker Lem Lorca to Direct an All Nurses Cast Movie

Dr. Carl Balita representing Dr. Carl Balita Productions (CBP) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the leaders of the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) which officially signaled the start of the making of SIGLO NG KALINGA a full length commercial film about the lives of nurses inspired by the works of Anastacia Giron Tupas also known as the Dean of Philippine Nursing and the first Filipino nurse to hold the position of Chief Nurse Superintendent of the Philippine General Hospital School of Nursing. She has held that position from 1917 until 1923.

CBP is known for the films Nars (2007) and Ang Maestra (2017) which won awards in several film festivals.

Also present during the event were Gov. Melvin Miranda, the President of the Philippines Nurses Association (PNA), PNA Historical Committee Chair Remedios Fernandez and the great grand daughter of Anastacia Giron Tupas – Benadette Sofia Ligot. The event was held at the PNA Grounds in Malate, Manila on the 9th of October.

According to producer Dr. Carl Balita, SIGLO NG KALINGA will be an ambitious film because it will have an “ALL NURSES” cast. For this, he asked PNA to help in spreading the word out to all the nurses in the country who can act to audition.

The casting call will be until the 20th of October and is open to all nurses (by profession) who can act or actors who are, or were nurses (Rocco Nacino, Princess Punzalan, Yasmien Kurdi).

Dr. Balita stressed that SIGLO NG KALINGA, when done, will produce future stars because he believes that Filipino nurses are the most talented.

Aside from the casting call, Carl Balita Productions will also hold Poster and Themes Song Making Contest for the project. Deadline of entries will on or before the 26th of November and should be sent via email through drcarlbalitaproductions@gmail

Scheduled for release in 2023, SIGLO NG KALINGA is also a tribute film to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the Philippine Nurses Association this year.

“I want the nurses to dream to be nurses again when they watched 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,” said Dr. Carl said during the launch.

SIGLO NG KALINGA will be directed by renowned filmmaker Lemuel Lorca and written by Archie Del Mundo. Dr. Carl also mentioned that Ricky Lee (National Artists of the Philippines for Film and Broadcast Arts) will be the film’s creative consultant while all nurses who will become part of the project will be getting their acting workshop from actress Angeli Bayani.

Direk Lem Lorca said that this will be his most challenging project to date.