MMFF 2023 Entry "KAMPON" Starts Unusual Scaring on December 25th

MMFF is certainly a venue to watch a multitude of genres, and with that comes Quantum Films' entry called KAMPON starring Derek Ramsay and Beauty Gonzales, will be shown this Christmas day along with 9 other entries in the festival. The movie is about the depths of love, divulging secrets and fear brought about the unknown. They're a couple, "reproductively" challenged and was trying to conceive for over 8 years. A child suddenly appears and claims to be Clark Martinez's (played by Derek) daughter. The material has been in worked on for years, and has been so good to have landed the 4th during selections, so they meticulously worked on cinematography, scoring and it's effects, you'll love how it will look like in cinemas. This is the first time Beauty Gonzalez is doing MMFF 2023, and the addition of Zeinab Harake to the cast will get this a fresh take on just your usual other woman role. It was fun to see her talk about her character after the press conference. 

Derek says "We never seemed to have problems on the set, Atty. Joji doesn't sugarcoat things, and I like that. If she doesn't like what you're doing, she will tell you and call it out. When she is happy, she tells so and encourages us."

Asked about his personal life he says "Right now me and my wife are also trying to conceive a baby, so I need to really be hands on in taking care of the wife and hopefully a baby. We will focus on that and try, sad we lost the baby on a trip in Spain. She is okay, I am a little off, I just worry."

About Zeinab, Derek adds "Zeinab? I couldn't believe she was a first timer, she went straight to character and she delivered in our scene, we had to bite lips, slam me on the wall."

Beauty says "They really take good care of me and we did scenes as fast as we could so there wouldn't be discomfort for both of us. You can ask my husband or Ellen, we laugh about these things."

Here's our video coverage of the media conference this afternoon.

Being part of the first 4 films announced this MMFF 2023, Atty. Joji of Quantum Films knows that they have a really good film in their hand. They are now going to battle it out with 9 other entries in the festival, but with confidence, they hope to offer this project that has been made with quality in mind. It has already been part of a film festival in Portugal, which they also proudly announced during the press conference. This is also somewhat a comeback film of Derek Ramsay who said he couldn't say NO when it's Atty. Joji asking him to make a movie. I also find Zeinab's character quite an interesting one, albeit her first time in a project like this, she got the nod of her fellow actors. Beauty as always delivers, the interaction between her, the kid Erin Espiritu and Derek Ramsay would be a fun way to showcase their acting chops, perhaps win them a coveted Best Actor, Actress, or Child Star award in the process. Make sure you make this as part of your movie watching lineup this Christmas. 

 It just screams good, hopefully you'll end up doing that too. 

Must Watch at Summer MMFF: Here Comes The Groom

With the summer heat coming in, it's about time that the Sunmer Metro Manila Film Festival start. It will be held on April 8-18, and one of the entries from Quantum Films, CineKo and Brightlight Productions called "HERE COMES THE GROOM" is offering an all star cast plus full blown comedy for this MMFF season.

If you remember Angelica Panganiban, John Lapus, Tuesday Vargas, Jaime Fabregas' previous hit film called "Here Comes the Bride!", this is officially the sequel for it. This stars Enchong Dee, Keempee De Leon, Maris Racal, Gladys Reyes, Awra Briguela, Eugene Domingo, Miles Ocampo, Tony Labrusca, Nico Antonio, Iyah Mina, Fino Herrera, Kim Atienza, plus the special participation of RPDR Philippines Xilhouette and Kaladkaren.

They promise an even funnier one with "Here Comes the Groom" as the sequel has a totally different story line. From a whole family going to a wedding, they suddenly experience a phenomenon during the eclipse which made them swap bodies and personalities with gay pageant regulars, and that's where the fun and crazy antics start. If you're asking if they would be able to go back to normal, that's what the movie will answer if you watch it. "Here Comes the Groom" is written and directed by Chris Martinez and again is the official entry of these three production companies to the Summer Metro Manila Film Festival. 

I watched it this evening, and I can confirm, it's one crazy fun film that would be fit for friends who have humor,  timing and knack for good slapstick and situational comedy.

Why You Need See CULION This MMFF 2019

The weekend was an awesome one (Dec 14th) as we got to finally see the film CULION. We were all where it all was shot and taken, in the island of Culion, Palawan which is an isle off the west side of the Philippines. It was their world premiere, and yes, it was a grand promise to bring it there and have them all watch it. It was almost impossible to do, but they knew (the production) had to do it for the people of Culion. I saw how they intently watched and marveled how their story was unfolding. It felt right, to tell the public of their history, of what transpired during the commonwealth, the world war and how they all survived even under very hard times, not to mention the condition... of which everyone else despised during that time.

Anna, Ditas and Doris (played by Iza Calzado, Meryll Soriano and Jasmine Curtis) each have their own story. In the film, Anna was depicted as a strong woman, one who need no man to support her even though she was loved much by Kanor played by Joem Bascon. You will admire her character for most of the “first half” of the film, but later feel for her and her struggles as she gets distraught over her baby and what would happen to them. Ditas on the other hand would be seen attempting to take her life several times (because of sheer hopelessness in love, and the man in her life) but with all the nice things she’s brought to the lives of her friends and herself in the colony, she would regain hope, and start to appreciate the small things around her. Meryll Soriano is a discovery for me, I have seen her TV stints and didn’t quite expect she’d be doing the things she did in this movie. I almost lost my breath understanding one of the highlights of the film. I am saying right here, that the few minutes with John Lloyd Cruz’ character was one of the reasons everybody balled during the world premiere last weekend, with good reason. If you’re a fan of his work, this would be good reason why you should watch it. I couldn’t believe how he could tell his whole story in one scene, you will go crazy just thinking about it.

Meryll on the other hand held her ground, when John Lloyd did his scene, she reciprocated with her own brand of acting, both of which will make your jaw drop. You will ask yourself “WTFOMGBBQ did I just witness?!” and admit “I am not worthy to witness that!”, and I... am not even joking.

Make sure you also take note, not surprising she’s really good, Iza Calzado had some really hard scenes with Joem Bascon and Suzette Ranillo (who plays Nanay Mameng), as they will have to go through a very traumatic experience as they started to have a family in Culion. I couldn’t say much with Jasmine Curtis’ character but hold your horses as she will be shocking you (my heart dropped in one of the scenes), but she’s the hopeful one, one who dreams, and might liken a lot of people going through the same ordeal. Pretty mental, as her scenes felt like a few of Ricky Lee’s masterpiece put together, and I think they have a connection in some weird way but you have to be a judge of that.

Here’s our short trip to the island, enjoy!

If you were there during the world premiere in Culion, you would see how attentive, hopeful and proud they were seeing this film in the Immaculate Conception Church in Culion. I saw a lot of them cried, laughed a little, and felt this was a good representation of who they are as people. Now, what a proud moment for them to be from Culion.

All in all, this deserves your attention during the Metro Manila Festival. Watch it to learn about history, watch it to see the triumph of generations who have lived and experienced the colony. Watch it for the sole reason of love, for the children, for each other, and see miracles of humanity in it. It will all be seen on theaters nationwide starting December 25, Christmas Day. Go prepare yourself for a rollercoaster of emotions. Take your family into learning the history of Culion, and the love that comes from its people.