PEP: Eight official entries selected for 37th Metro Manila Film Festival

Eight entries will be competing for the 37th edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). Metro Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman and 2011 MMFF executive committee head Francis Tolentino recently announced the entries that were chosen to take part in the 37th edition of the MMFF. After competing against each other in last year's edition, Vic Sotto and Ai-Ai delas Alas have decided to come together for Enteng ng Ina Mo. Tony Reyes will direct this comedy-fantasy produced by ABS-CBN Film Productions Inc., M-Zet TV Productions, APT Productions, and OctoArts Films. Senator Bong Revilla once again reprises the role of the famous blacksmith in Panday 2, wherein he will star opposite Marian Rivera and Iza Calzado. Phillip Salvador will also be joining them in this fantasy-action directed by Mac Alejandre and produced by Imus Productions Inc and GMA Films. Kris Aquino will return to the horror genre via MJM Productions' Segunda Mano, with Dingdong Dantes as her leading man. Robin Padilla will topbill the action-adventure titled Mr. Wong. Trina Dayrit and Retchie del Carmen will direct this film produced by RP Studio. Judy Ann Santos will make her showbiz comeback through a romantic comedy with her real-life husband, Ryan Agoncillo. Jose Javier Reyes will helm OctoArts Films' My HouseHusband. After producing the period film Rosario last year, Studio5 offers a contemporary drama titled Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow. Dennis Trillo will get to work anew with Heart Evangelista while getting the chance to star opposite Carla Abellana and Ritz Azul for this Jun Lana film. Regal Entertainment Inc. fielded two entries this year: a family comedy titled Hototay and the horror trilogy Shake, Rattle & Roll 13. SRR 13 will be starring Eugene Domingo, Paulo Avelino, Lovi Poe, Kathryn Bernardo, Albie Casiño and Maricar Reyes. The three segments will be directed by Chris Martinez ("Lunod"), Richard Somes ("Tamawo") and Jerrold Tarog ("Parola"). Regal partnered with SMDC for Hototay, which will be topbilled by John "Sweet" Lapus, Ruffa Gutierrez, Andi Eigenmann, Lovi Poe, and Melai Cantiveros. Joel Lamangan will helm this movie. Mother Lily Monteverde, matriarch of Regal, explained why Hototay is different from the Mano Po film series that they did in the past. "Iba naman ito, some characters have mixed nationalities like Indian." The criteria used for selecting the films are as follows: a) story, creativity, global appeal (40%); b) commercial viability (50%) and c) Filipino cultural and historical value (10%). RIGHT COMBINATION. Aside from revealing the films that will be competing, MMFF executive committee head Francis Tolentino also revealed that some practices last year will be implemented again this year. "I'd like to commend the selection committee for a job well done. I see the combination as very appropriate for the coming 2011 MMFF, the right combination of comedy, fantasy, romance, horror, and drama. "These are really rooted in the MMFF's desire to have a family-oriented film festival. "We also intend to have an OFW and a member of the Muslim community on the board of jurors. Merong selection process to choose them. We will touch base with appropriate government agencies." Just like last year, independent films will once again be part of the MMFF but they must now adhere to the chosen topic of the executive committee. "Ang nire-request ko po na ang mga sasali na independent films, sana mag-submit sila ng films concerning the life of Dr. Jose Rizal. Our national hero is celebrating his 150th birthday this year. "Kung maaari po ang limang pelikula o mas marami ay tungkol sa buhay ng ating Pambansang Bayani para mas lalo pang tularan ng kabataan ang kabayanihan at kadakilaan ng buhay ni Dr. Jose Rizal," said Mr. Tolentino in closing. - Jocelyn Dimaculangan, PEP