Bela Padilla
It’s a happy problem to have,” declared Metro Manila Development Authority chairperson Romando “Don” Artes of the fact that a record 33 finished films were submitted for the first-ever Summer Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) this April.
Films that carry themes like suicide, same-sex relationship and single blessedness are some of the entries featured in the festival’s first summer edition that will run from April 8 to 18. The following are included in the festival lineup: Brillante Ma. Mendoza’s “Apag,” starring Coco Martin, Lito Lapid, Jaclyn Jose and Gladys Reyes and produced by Center Stage Production; Fifth Solomon’s “Single Bells,” starring Aljur Abrenica, Alex Gonzaga and Angeline Quinto and produced by TinCan; Jun Robles Lana’s “About Us But Not About Us,” starring Romnick Sarmenta and Elijah Canlas and produced by October Train Films, The IdeaFirst Company and Quantum Films; Joven M. Tan’s “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko: The Music of Rey Valera,” starring RK Bagatsing and Meg Imperial and produced by Saranggola Media Productions, Inc.
RC delos Reyes’ “Unravel: A Swiss Side Love Story,” starring Gerald Anderson and Kylie Padilla, and produced by MavX Productions, Inc.; Chris Martinez’s “Here Comes the Groom,” starring Enchong Dee, Keempee de Leon, Awra Briguela, Xilhouette, Maris Racal and KaladKaren and produced by Quantum Films, Cineko Productions and Brightlight Productions; Bela Padilla’s “Yung Libro sa Napanuod Ko,” starring Yoo Min-gon and Bela Padilla and produced by Viva Communications, Inc.; JP Habac’s “Love You Long Time,” starring Carlo Aquino and Eisel Serrano and produced by Studio Three Sixty, Inc.
Romnick Sarmenta (left) and Elijah Canlas in “About Us But Not About Us”
Actress Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo heads the 11-member selection committee, with award-winning writer Roy Iglesias as vice chair. “Tita Boots said they had a hard time choosing from all the entries because they could only pick eight. There were a lot of good films submitted,” said Artes during the recent MMFF appreciation ceremony held at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ortigas. “My only hope is that those who supported the Christmas edition in 2022 will show the same eagerness for the first edition of the summer film fest.”
Other criteria
During the Q&A portion of the event, Rodrigo admitted that there was a number of youth-oriented films submitted, “but, sadly, they failed to meet the standards.” The summer MMFF was supposed to target the youth, who will be on school break during its run.
“We have other criteria to abide by. Even though some of the films carry serious themes, you will be surprised that these are projects that the youth can relate to. Take the film about suicide, for example, parents and their children can communicate with each other about the topic through the film,” Rodrigo pointed out.
Coco Martin
The Parade of the Stars, which will start along Commonwealth Avenue and end at the Quezon City Circle, will be on April 2, at 2 p.m., while the Gabi ng Parangal will be on April 11 at the New Frontier Theater. INQ