Metro Manila Improvement Authority chair Romando Artes with the MMFF government committee and actor representatives –ALLAN DIONES
Members of the board of judges of the 2023 Metro Manila Movie Pageant (MMFF) have already seen all 10 entries as of Wednesday and “their opinions are divergent,” in accordance with MMFF spokesperson Noel Ferrer.
Heading the jury this 12 months is awarding-winning filmmaker Chito Roño, with actress Lorna Tolentino as vice chair. The names of different members will likely be introduced throughout the Gabi ng Parangal on Dec. 27, mentioned Ferrer shortly after the inauguration of the Metro Manila Improvement Authority (MMDA) auditorium in its new workplace in Pasig Metropolis.
The MMDA is the general organizer of the annual film fete, which can run from Dec. 25, 2023, to Jan. 7, 2024.
“All sectors are represented. Now we have jury members who’re cinematographers, editors and somebody who’s answerable for music. All of them have one thing to do about native filmmaking. They gave their work as jury members all the things they’ve received. If there’s something, we can have very credible outcomes,” Ferrer predicted.
By the way, representatives of the ten competition entries have been current throughout the inauguration and even participated within the ceremonial ribbon reducing: Dingdong Dantes was there for “Rewind,” whereas Piolo Pascual represented “Mallari.” Derek Ramsay got here for “Kampon,” Eugene Domingo for “Becky and Badette,” Alessandra de Rossi for “Firefly,” and Enchong Dee for “GomBurZa.”
Arriving a lot later throughout the occasion have been Christopher de Leon for “Once I Met You in Tokyo,” Kylie Versoza and John Arcilla for “Penduko,” Alden Richards for “Household of Two,” Cedrick Juan additionally for “GomBurZa,” and Jay Gonzaga, Iyah Mina and Marvin Yap for “Damaged Hearts Journey.”
Dantes, who paired up with spouse Marian Rivera in “Rewind” mentioned he was proud to be a part of this 12 months’s version of the MMFF as a result of he felt that the individuals behind the occasion have been so concerned, not solely monetarily, but in addition by way of utilizing their expertise and committing their time to make sure that this is able to be successful.
Going world
“I salute all of the producers and artists who gave their 100% by arising with 10 high quality movies. Day-after-day, we pray that Filipinos will lastly come out of their properties and respect all of the work we now have finished by watching them within the cinemas,” Dantes burdened.
Ramsay agreed and identified that this 12 months, the MMFF has 10 entries as a substitute of the same old eight. “The extra, the merrier,” he declared. “Now we have plenty of competitors on the market. In Asia alone, we now have the Koreans and Indians. Moviegoing is actually going world. This 12 months, I hope we will present assist to our tremendous gifted artists. We should always all assist show that the Filipino artist can compete with one of the best on the planet.”
Derek Ramsay —MARINEL CRUZ
For Enchong Dee, “This technology is the technology of collaboration and partnership. I’ve all the time been grateful to the MMDA for supporting the leisure business since Day. 1 through the MMFF,” he started. “My expectation is for these motion pictures to transcend the MMFF. I hope for them to remain longer within the cinemas even past the competition run—that’s additionally the inspiration for creating ‘GomBurZa.’ I pray for the movie to transcend the native competition and be proven exterior the nation.“
Begin of a revolution
Domingo admitted that whereas she appeared like she was having enjoyable onstage cracking jokes, she was feeling actually nervous occupied with the competition consequence. “I don’t wish to anticipate as a result of, identical to what Dingdong mentioned, there are issues we can not management. I merely determined to give up all the things to God. Pokwang (her costar within the film) and I proceed to hunt assist from individuals concerned—perhaps we will work out learn how to provide you with a good value for the tickets—in addition to inform the viewers of what to anticipate by way of film alternatives,” Domingo burdened. “I wish to congratulate everybody operating the MMFF for not giving up on it and for repeatedly discovering methods to maintain this necessary custom alive.”
Pascual mentioned this 12 months’s MMFF is “a really huge blessing” not only for him—he’s a part of the forged of ‘GomBurZa,’ too—but in addition for the leisure business. “This ensures work for many of us. We’re all very busy today. Let’s maintain arms and proceed to push boundaries. The business wants all of the assist we may give. I hope all of the movies this 12 months will likely be appreciated by the viewers. We’re not competing right here. We’re artists who’ve the identical want for the business.”
Richards, who partnered with Sharon Cuneta in making “Household of Two,” mentioned he was pleased and proud to be a part of this 12 months’s lineup. “Philippine cinema is slowly getting again on its toes. It’s turning into energetic once more,” he noticed. “Hopefully, 2023 would be the begin of a revolution—we wish individuals to return to the cinemas. In 2024, I hope extra movies will likely be produced as a result of content material is king. It doesn’t matter who the actors or administrators are, it’s all the time in regards to the story.”
Battle, controversies
Veteran actress Boots Anson-Rodrigo, who needed to resign as member of the MMFF choice committee this 12 months as a result of one in every of her movies was submitted as entry, recalled how troublesome it’s to mount the MMFF yearly. “The members of its government committee (Execom) eat controversies for breakfast and battle off loss of life threats earlier than they sleep. Every year, there may be a lot battle and controversies. You possibly can’t please all people however on the similar time it’s important to uphold the Philippine film business, its stakeholders, and what the business stands for.
Eugene Domingo (left) and Alessandra de Rossi —MARINEL CRUZ
“These individuals won’t inform you this as a result of it will be self-serving for them, however from any individual who has labored with the Execom since 2002, I see how laborious the management of the MMFF works with the intention to give what’s greatest for the business, and for this specific 12 months, there are 10 great entries.”
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The annual Parade of the Stars was held on Dec. 16 and hosted by 4 cities: Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela. INQ
