MANILA — National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee released an official statement addressing public comments alleging nepotism in the selection of participants for his revived personal writing workshop.

Lee said he decided to bring back his personal workshop after several years, opening applications for Batches 30 and 31 with 30 slots each, supported by the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP). He said organizers anticipated a high number of applicants even before the application period began.

“Alam naming maraming mag-aapply kaya di pa nag-uumpisa ang application, together with FAP and some friends coordinating the workshop, ay nagbalak na kami ng mga paraan upang mas maraming ma-accommodate,” he said.

Lee explained that clear guidelines were given to the selection committee to ensure fairness. “Na pantay-pantay ang karapatan ng lahat, whether celebrity, datihan, o baguhan, na matanggap. Basta qualified, gustong makapagsulat, at angkop sa gagawing mix ng bawat batch,” he said, adding that applicants’ creative responses to the form questions were also part of the criteria.

He said the workshop has long followed a diverse mix of participants — from film workers to newcomers. “Usually sa workshops ko ay malaki ang naitutulong ng mga datihan sa mga baguhan… hindi maganda ang homogenous o pare-parehong baguhan o pare-pareho ng pinanggalingan ang mga nasa batch,” he said.

Because more than 200 applicants were deemed qualified, Lee said organizers had already planned to open Batch 32 even before releasing the initial list for Batches 30 and 31. “Mas marami dito ang baguhan,” he noted.

Lee said organizers also began emailing all 2,600 applicants ahead of the announcement to inform them of the creation of Batch 32 and that a whole-day session in a larger venue, such as a cinema, would be conducted for all applicants. He added that an online workshop will be held for those outside Metro Manila.

He stressed that all applicants underwent a thorough selection process. “Maraming natanggap na taga-pelikula at marami ang hindi natanggap. Marami ang kaibigan at anak ng kaibigan ang hindi rin natanggap. Sa huli, ang pinairal ay kung qualified ba, at angkop sa mix,” he said.

Lee noted that since he began his free personal workshop in 1982, most participants have been beginners. He said he also wanted to include active filmmakers who had long expressed interest. Still, he emphasized that many were not accepted because they were “hindi angkop sa mix.”

Despite criticisms, Lee said he remains open to dialogue. “Gusto kong sabihing nakikinig ako, at natututo sa mga diskursong nagaganap,” he said. He added that this would be his “una at huling statement” on the matter as he hopes to refocus on helping more aspiring writers.

“Pero kung kinakailangan, open naman akong makipag-dialogue dahil in the end, iisa lang naman ang hangarin nating lahat, ang makatulong sa iba at ang mapabuti ang ating industriya,” he said.