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A Christmas gift we want from the MMFF

MMFF and MMDA chair Francis Tolentino chats with Robin Padilla.

Only five months left and we’ll have yet another chapter of Filipino mainstream cinema’s biggest celebration. And this early, we all know what’s in store and what to expect from the usual suspects in this only grand exclusive exhibition of Pinoy movies.

What we notice is the same hodgepodge we see each year. What’s glaring is the unprecedented number of sequels this year. While we’re used to two or three sequels, mostly from perennial box office favorites like Vic Sotto or Ai Ai delas Alas, this year’s filmfest has five of this kind in its roster of eight entries.

These are:

Praybeyt Benjamin 2, which stars Vice Ganda and directed by Wenn Deramas;

Feng Shui 2, starring Kris Aquino and Coco Martin and helmed by Chito Rono;

Shake Rattle and Roll 15, with a star-studded cast led by Dennis Trillo and Carla Abellana;

Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2, headlined by Dingdong Dantes and Lovi Poe, and megged by Erik Matti;

My Big Bossing’s Adventures, starring Vic Sotto and Ryzza Mae Dizon, and under the direction of Joyce Bernal, Marlon Rivera and Tony Y. Reyes.

Though it seemed froducers of these films seemed dependent on their winning ways of MMFF past, they are at risk of getting the curse of the sequel—the high probability that a second instalment won’t be at par with the original and suffer at the tills. Nevertheless, producers still gamble wisely on their bets for the 40th year of the annual festival. After all, it’s a captured audience for all intents and purposes.

The most promising for me is Robin Padilla’s take on the life of the Great Plebian Andres Bonifacio, who has long been the subject of historical controversies and debates. Bonifacio, Gusto Mo Ba Siyang Makilala? puts its argument well into the discourse and may ignite fiery debates anew—given how Robin heralds it as the film that will give Bonifacio his true place in history.

The action flick Magnum Muslim .357, which is touted to follow the string of victories ER Ejercito made in last year’s Boy Golden, will try to bring back audiences to this skidding genre. The romantic comedy English Only Please, starring Derek Ramsay and Angeline Quinto, rounds up this year’s list.

This lineup promises yet another record breaking box-office year, but hopefully producers will exert more effort in breaking out of its usual mold and make newer, fresher attempts to bolster and develop local cinema.

While the MMFF (Metro Manila Film Festival) features a side festival of independent films, it would be very heartening if it could encourage out-of-the-ordinary storylines or even experimental attacks on the ills of society—a formula prevalent in the glory days of Philippine cinema, such as Himala or Sister Stella L.

Through the MMFF, we should bring back the days when cinema was a relevant medium to push societal change; something that would give our moviegoers much more than just those glaring advertising placements in the film.

This is a Christmas gift everyone should appreciate and enjoy.