You'll Need Towels for Tears: FAMILY MATTERS this MMFF 2022

If you've been seeing trailers left and right for Metro Manila Film Festival 2022 happening this month, you probably remember this one by Cineko Productions (under Mayor Enrico Roque). It was able to touch the hearts of so many Filipinos in the trailer alone as it delved into the story of a FAMILY. 

Francisco and Eleanor are in the geriatric age, and got sick, requiring much care and attention from their family, but the eldest had to go find love elsewhere. This forced the other siblings to step up the plate, but the couple chose to do things their way, butting heads as the patriarch still wants to be taken cared of by his wife Eleanor which she thankfully obliges to do so later on the film. It's played by Noel Trinidad and Ms. Liza Lorena, plus an ensemble cast which includes Nonie Buencamino, Agot Isidro, Mylene Dizon, James Blanco, Nikki Valdez, JC Santos, Ina Feleo, Ketchup Eusebio and a throng of other actors that put their trust on this MMFF 2022 entry.

Here's what happened during the press conference on video, please, enjoy!

I asked a few unconventional questions during the press conference specifically on some parents making an investment out of their children. Also, I tried to see what they think of how Filipinos make it an obligation for family to take care of them in their older years. I was impressed how Mylene Dizon answered it after stating the differences, saying the care Filipinos do come from a place of LOVE rather than it being embedded in culture overall.

It is no surprise that those who have seen the trailer already shed a tear or two as this film comes from the same people behind "Miracle at Cell #7" that won awards and box office success in previous MMFF years. Will this prove to be a sure fire formula to success this coming December 25th? You're going to see a lot of actors vying for the Best Actress role and might need to compete with Ms. Liza Lorena. The ensemble cast is also a tough act to follow since they formed a real family doing this movie.

It's going to be a very interesting awards night and you might be looking at another successful entry when you watch "Family Matters" during the MMFF 2022 days. This is Directed by Nuel Naval and written by the prolific Mel Mendoza-del Rosario. They warned us and said this time, tissues won't be enough for your tears, bring towels!

HBO Asia Showcases PH in FOOD LORE: Island of Dreams

8 directors from Asia, 8 different stories, shot in 8 countries India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and told in HBO through a show called FOOD LORE. Ours is done by Erik Matti who also directed Buybust and Honor Thy Father. This was the brainchild of Singapore based filmmaker Eric Khoo.

Bless the people who did this, as this might be the first time any show of this magnitude is being made and shown on HBO GO and HBO Asia. It is an HBO Originals series. We saw a preview of our episode Island of Dreams. It talks about home, our families, how we celebrate and how it is part of our lives and culture. The first two episodes is by Vietnam, Second is ours, it will be also shown on Tokyo International Film Festival.

Karen Lai the President for Communications of HBO Asia says "We based it around food, but a drama series in food conditions talking about love, tragedy and everything in between. We also have a lot of other shows on HBO GO, more material and more seasons of previous shows and blockbusters on our platform. Hope you enjoy this! The show creator and anthology series last year Folk Lore and we left it to him to choose the directors."

Here's our panel interview with them:

The setting is at Sipalay in Negros. Out of 7,641 islands in the country, why is this special? That's for you to find out. It will be shown starting November 3 9pm (but premiere in Tokyo for the festival October 30). There is really so much to look forward to in FOOD LORE. You should also be proud to see the Philippines included here. People need to discover our cuisine, and our stories.

GMA Artists Celebrate Birthdays at East Avenue Medical Center

Ina Feleo, Bettina Carlos, Ryza Cenon and Chynna Ortaleza

We went to the function hall of East Avenue Medical Center to celebrate the birthday of Ina Feleo, Bettina Carlos, Ryza Cenon and Chynna Ortaleza together with the children and adult cancer patients of the hospital a couple of weeks ago in Quezon City. We've been covering worthwhile events from them lately and this isn't any different. Ina Feleo, Bettina Carlos, Ryza Cenon and Chynna Ortaleza wanted to celebrate their birthdays in a very meaningful way and giving joy, a few things might just do that for the patients in EAMC.

Starting the celebrations, we didn't know what would happen with such a big crowd. Together with the people from East Avenue, they started telling us stories of hope. Like this guy in the photo for instance, he's not just a very spirited professional violinist. Just like the patients in the venue, he too was a cancer patient. He went to the same things that these guys were also going through, the medicines, the confinement, the chemotherapy, he did all that and survived. It was inspiring how I've seen him so enthusiastic to perform for the patients who needed some image of hope, to see him do this was a statement that they too would be able to become someone soon. After they get better, they still have a ton of things to look forward to in life. I felt it that afternoon.

Ina Feleo, Bettina Carlos, Ryza Cenon and Chynna Ortaleza also took time taking photos, playing games and giving away gifts from their sponsors so they could share what they have, no matter how big or small it is to these guys who are going through hardships now. Chynna Ortaleza and I share the same birthday and I was touched to hear from her how she advised them to never lose hope. I felt her sincerity, how she genuinely cared and how she wanted to spend time with them all that afternoon. Ryza Cenon too together with her fans packed gifts the day before so they could get each one of the patients something to take home after the event. Ina Feleo might have been scaring a lot of people on TV shows but I could feel she was happy to spend time with them too. Bettina Carlos' birthday was on the day we did this and she felt it was the perfect way to celebrate it, as much as doing it with her family. They are all going to have projects and more on GMA and movies this coming 2015, so make sure you do not miss the afternoon primetime shows on the Kapuso channel.

 

They didn't miss giving the kids some toys too. GMA Artist Center also supplied pasta, drinks, ice cream and snacks to the crowd so they didn't go hungry.

They also played with the kids via Trip to Jerusalem, Ina, Bettina and Ryza joined in while Chynna served as host.

During the games, Ina Feleo really let loose. She enjoyed playing with the kids and her co stars.

Chynna is seen here taking photos with some of the kids

Bettina Carlos and Ina Feleo helped in giving away the gifts and food to the patients and their guardians

It was a good way to spend their birthdays, actually it was my birthday month too. Thank you so much to GMA Artist Center for having us tag along this charity event with Ina Feleo, Bettina Carlos, Ryza Cenon and Chynna Ortaleza. Thank you also to their sponsors for chipping in to help a very worthy cause. These kids had fun, they'll have a full life because of the things these good people are doing in their own little way. Til the next one!

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