The2018 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF)is the 44th edition of the annualMetro Manila Film Festivalheld in Metro Manila and throughout the Philippines. It is organized by theMetropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).During the festival, no foreign films are shown in Philippine theaters (exceptIMAXand4Dtheaters).
| Awards | Gabi ng Parangal(transl. Awards Night) |
|---|---|
| No.of films | 8 |
| Festival date | December 25, 2018to January 7, 2019 |
Entries
edit
Feature films
editThe Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Executive Committee announced four of the eight official entries in June 2018. The first four films were selected based from the script submission.[1][2]On October 9, the last four films were announced by the MMFF Selection Committee headed by National Artist for Literature,Bienvenido Lumbera.They are all finished films.[3]
| Title | Starring | Production company | Director | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First batch | ||||
| Aurora | Anne Curtis | Viva Films,Aliud Entertainment | Yam Laranas | Horror,Thriller,Suspense |
| Fantastica | Vice Ganda,Richard Gutierrez,Dingdong Dantes | Star Cinema,Viva Films | Barry Gonzales | Fantasy,Comedy |
| The Girl in the Orange Dress | Jericho RosalesandJessy Mendiola | Star Cinema,Quantum Films, MJM Production | Jay Abello | Romance,Comedy |
| Jack Em Popoy: The Puliscredibles | Coco Martin,Maine MendozaandVic Sotto | CCM Film Productions,APT Entertainment,M-Zet Productions | Mike Tuviera | Action,Thriller,Comedy |
| Second batch | ||||
| Mary, Marry Me | Toni Gonzaga,Alex GonzagaandSam Milby | TEN17P,TINCAN | RC delos Reyes | Romantic comedy |
| One Great Love | Dennis Trillo,Kim ChiuandJC de Vera | Regal Entertainment | Eric Quizon | Romance,Drama |
| Otlum | Ricci RiveroandJerome Ponce | Horseshoe Productions | Joven Tan | Horror |
| Rainbow's Sunset | Eddie Garcia,Tony Mabesa,Gloria RomeroandSunshine Dizon | Heaven's Best Entertainment | Joel Lamangan | Family drama |
Short films
editA short film competition for students was organized as part of the film festival. A total of 123 entries were submitted with eight of them selected as finalists. The eight selected short films were screened alongside the official eight full-length films during the whole official run of the film festival.[4]
| Title | Director | School |
|---|---|---|
| Balita (transl. News) |
Harold Joshua Singzon | Centro Escolar University |
| Binibini 14. Beverly Lagdameo (transl. Miss 14. Beverly Lagdameo) |
Neil Adrien Reyes | De La Salle – College of St. Benilde |
| Dalawampung Pisong Pag-asa (transl. Twenty Pesos Hope) |
Pauleen Valdez | St. Dominic College of Asia |
| Kasilyas (transl. Restroom) |
Leslie Ann Ramirez | Bulacan State University |
| Padyak (transl. Stomp) |
Venice Awitin | Northern Mindanao Colleges |
| Paraiso (transl. Paradise) |
Carlo Lopez | University of the Philippines Diliman |
| Tahanan (transl. Home) |
Demetrio Celestino III | Catanduanes State University |
| Sasagot Ka Pa? (transl. Will You Answer Back) |
Ronald Van Angelo Dulatre | De La Salle – College of St. Benilde |
Parade of Stars
edit
Parañaquewas selected as the host city of the launch of the metropolis-wide film festival in March 2018 by the MMFF Executive Committee.[5]The hosting coincides with the 20th anniversary of Parañaque's conversion into a city.[6]
The traditional Parade of Stars which featured floats of the film festival's eight entries took place inParañaqueon December 23, 2018 and was planned to traverse a route measuring 12.3 km (7.6 mi).[7]The parade began near Shopwise Santana Grove inParañaque,where an estimated crowd of 300,000 waited for the start of the event,[7]and ended on Bradco Avenue. The parade route also includedDr. Santos Avenue,V. Medina Avenue,Quirino Avenue,NAIA Road,andMacapagal Boulevard.The Parañaque Traffic and Parking Management Office closed a significant portion of Dr. A. Santos Avenue starting from Sta. Rita Avenue from vehicular traffic beginning of noon of the day of the parade with assembly and preparation of the event scheduled to begin at 1pm.[5]The normally eastbound lanes of Dr. A. Santos Avenue from Soreena to Kabihasnan, eastbound lanes of NAIA Road from Quirino Avenue to Macapagal Boulevard, and southbound lanes of Macapagal Boulevard from NAIA Road to Bradco Avenue were also temporarily opened forcounterflowin an effort to manage anticipated heavy traffic situation caused by the parade.[6]
Heavy rain disrupted the parade program causing delays with the floats stuck in mud at the starting point of the parade. Besides the float of the eight featured films of the MMFF, the parade was supposed to be joined by the floats of the Parañaque local government and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority but their vehicles were not reportedly present in the starting area. The float, featuring the filmFantastica,was the first float to leave the assembly area at 1:25 pm[7]albeit without members of its cast. TheFantasticacast boarded their film's float vehicle an hour later. TheGirl in the Orange Dressfloat followedFantastica'sfloat withJericho RosalesandJessy Mendiola.By 3:30 pm, only three out of eight floats has managed to get out of the mud withOne Great Lovejoining the vehicles ofFantasticaandGirl in the Orange Dress.[7]The float ofMary, Marry Mewas the fourth and final vehicle able to join the parade.[8]
TheJack Em Popoycast opted to leave their float behind and boarded a truck instead.[9]The cast ofOtlumandRainbow’s Sunsetalso did the same and boarded another vehicle while the cast ofAuroraleft their float butAnne Curtisis using her own van to head straight toAseanawhere the parade ended.[10]
At least two million were estimated to have witnessed the event live.[7]
Awards
edit| 2018 Metro Manila Film Festival Gabi ng Parangal | |
|---|---|
| Date | December 27, 2018 |
| Site | The Theatre at Solaire,Parañaque |
| Hosted by | Janno Gibbs, Mark Bautista, and Nina Dolino |
| Highlights | |
| Best Picture | Rainbow's Sunset |
| Best Director | Joel Lamangan Rainbow's Sunset |
| Best Actor | Dennis Trillo One Great Love |
| Best Actress | Gloria Romero Rainbow's Sunset |
| Most awards | Rainbow's Sunset(11) |
| Television coverage | |
| Network | ABS-CBN |
The Gabi ng Parangal (transl. Awards Night) of the 2018 Metro Manila Film Festival was held atThe Theatre at SolaireinParañaqueon December 27, 2018.[11]The awards night was hosted by Janno Gibbs, Mark Bautista, and Niña Dolino.[12]
Christopher de Leon,Gina AlajarandJoanna Ampilare the new members of the MMFF jury for the 2018 edition of the film festival.[13]
Major awards
editWinners are listed first, highlighted inboldface,and indicated with a double dagger (‡). Nominations are also listed if applicable.[14]
Other awards
edit- Male Star of the Night –Jericho Rosales
- Female Star of the Night –Anne Curtis
Short Film category
edit- Best Student Short Film –KasilyasofBulsu Cinephilia,Bulacan State University
Multiple awards
edit| Awards | Film |
|---|---|
| 11 | Rainbow's Sunset |
| 5 | Aurora |
| 3 | Jack Em Popoy: The Puliscredibles |
| One Great Love |
Box office gross
editOn January 8, 2019, a day after the official run of the 2018 MMFF concluded, the Metro Manila Development Authority announced that 2018 MMFF recorded the highest ever box office gross in the whole history of the film festival earning a total₱1.060 billion.The previous record was held by the2015 Metro Manila Film Festivalwhich earned₱10 millionless than the 2018 edition. On January 10, 2019 it was announced that the top four grossing films (in no particular order) were:Aurora,Fantastica,Jack Em Popoy,andMary, Marry Me.By that time only Aurora has publicly released its earnings. According to Cinema Bravo, Aurora grossed₱107 million[15]
References
edit- ^Parungao, Regina Mae (29 June 2018)."1st batch of MMFF 2018 finalists bared".Manila Bulletin.Retrieved29 June2018.
- ^Anarcon, James Patrick (9 October 2018)."Here are the first four entries of 2018 Metro Manila Film Festival".PEP.ph.Retrieved18 October2018.
- ^Anarcon, James Patrick (9 October 2018)."MMFF 2018 final four entries revealed".PEP.ph.Retrieved18 October2018.
- ^Bagadiong, Edna (16 December 2018)."Catanduanes student's short film makes it to MMFF".Philippine Information Agency.Retrieved25 December2018.
- ^abServalos, Neil Jayson (22 December 2018)."Parañaque roads closed for Metro filmfest 'Parade of Stars' on Sunday".Manila Times.Retrieved25 December2018.
- ^abCabalza, Dexter (19 December 2018)."MMFF parade on Dec. 23 expected to cause heavy traffic".Philippine Daily Inquirer.Retrieved25 December2018.
- ^abcdeVelasco, Ed (24 December 2018)."Despite rains, 2M turn up for Parade of Stars".Manila Times.Retrieved25 December2018.
- ^Aguilar, Krissy (23 December 2018)."2018 MMFF Parade of Stars pushes through despite heavy rain".Philippine Daily Inquirer.Retrieved25 December2018.
- ^Lago, Amanda (23 December 2018)."Heavy rain delays MMFF 2018 Parade of Stars".Rappler.Retrieved25 December2018.
- ^Aguilar, Krissy (23 December 2018)."2018 MMFF Parade of Stars pushes through despite heavy rain".Philippine Daily Inquirer.Retrieved25 December2018.
- ^"'Rainbow's Sunset' big winner at 2018 MMFF awards night ".The Philippine Star.28 December 2018.Retrieved28 December2018.
- ^Cruz, Marinel (31 December 2018)."'Rainbow's Sunset' expected to return to more cinemas after MMFF best picture win ".Philippine Daily Inquirer.Retrieved2 January2019.
- ^Lo, Ricky (3 December 2018)."Boyet, Gina and Joanna members of MMFF jury".The Philippine Star.Retrieved25 December2018.
- ^"FULL LIST: Winners, MMFF 2018 Gabi ng Parangal".Rappler.27 December 2018.Retrieved28 December2018.
- ^"MMFF 2018 breaks box office record".BusinessWorld.11 January 2019.Retrieved14 January2019.