THE production staff of  the upcoming movie Bourne Legacy, led by star Jeremy Renner, called on President Aquino in Malacanang yesterday to thank the Filipinos for their hospitality and cooperation while filming in various sites in Metro Manila and Palawan.

Wearing barong Tagalog, Renner was accompanied by Executive Producers Daniel Stillman and Patrick Crowley and Filipino producer Jun Juban during the courtesy call in Malacañang.

The President was joined by Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Secretary Ramon Carandang, Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino.

The other lead stars, actress Rachel Weisz and Edward Norton, however, were not present; they left the country ahead of the other members of the  crew.      

“The producers of the latest Bourne movie expressed their admiration for the Philippine crew and producers for their professionalism and dedication. They also thanked MMDA, OES, PCDSPO, the DOT and PCOO for their help in making the filming experience easier. They were happy that they chose to film in Manila rather than the other locations they considered in Vietnam and Indonesia,” Carandang said after courtesy call.  He said the President also thanked the Bourne Legacy cast and crew for choosing the Philippines and expressed hope this would lead to more film productions being “shot” in the country.

 The Bourne Legacy started shooting in the country in January, mostly in Manila and Palawan. Other shooting venues were the Navotas Fishport and Marikina Market.

 Renner gave Mr. Aquino five digital video discs (DVDs) that include the Bourne series—Bourne Identity, Bourne Supremacy, and Bourne Ultimatum—and his two films—The Town and Hurt Locker.

 The President thanked him for it and said he was familiar with the Bourne series and the Hurt Locker film.

 “The President said he’ll make time to watch the films but he could not do it in one sitting given his hectic schedule,” said Carandang, adding that Mr. Aquino gave Renner and the producers a chocolate bar inside a black and yellow box that bore the presidential seal.

 The President also reportedly gave the Bourne Legacy guests The Inaugural and the Noynoys Sisters books.