‘Big Night!’

Scene from “Big Night!”

(We are running this guide to help you plan your holiday movie-viewing activity during the pandemic. The 47th Metro Manila Film Festival, or MMFF, runs from Dec. 25 to Jan. 7, 2022.)Directed by Jun Robles Lana; stars Christian Bables, Gina Alajar, Eugene Domingo, Gina Pareño, Ricky Davao, John Arcilla, Alan Paule, Janice de Belen, Nico Antonio, Cedrick Juan, Sue Prado, Awra Briguela, Martin del Rosario, Soliman Cruz, Ogie Diaz, VJ Mendoza, produced by Cignal Entertainment The IdeaFirst Company Octobertrain Films Quantum Films

A “fabulous beautician” named Darna (Bables) finds himself falsely implicated in the Philippines’ war on drugs. Knowing that many people who turn up in the so-called tokhang watch list ends up getting killed, the determined, resourceful Darna sets out to clear his name, spending the titular “big night” chasing leads through bustling markets and old, sticky apartments.

Janice de Belen (left) and Christian Bables

Lana said that Bables, who starred in his past movies like “Die Beautiful” and “The Panti Sisters,” was his top pick for the role. “It’s another gay character for him, so we had to know what else he could do to have a different portrayal—from the character’s behavior, to his walk, how he talks … everything. I wanted someone who’s commercial, but also someone who can be sarcastic, funny, and do heavy drama,” Lana said.

“The team is so excited for ‘Big Night!’ to screen, because this was the last film we finished just two weeks before the lockdown. We also lost a coworker to COVID-19, so it’s going to be emotional seeing each other in the cinemas,” he added. —ALLAN POLICARPIO