MANILA's FINEST: A Period Film That Discusses Current Issues

Just watched Manila's Finest last night and from a viewers standpoint, it was a cinematographic masterpiece. It's a period film, set in the late 60's, that tells the story of what transpired during those years with the Manila Police District. While life was simple, it wasn't any less complicated as the atrocities of love, family, relationships and politics become real and present danger. 

Piolo Pascual plays Homer Magtibay, a very optimistic cop who's got his own demons to vanquish. He's got his own crew that includes Enrique Gil who plays Billy Ojeda, Romnick Sarmienta who plays Severino Meneses, Joey Marquez as Rogelio Liwanag, and Dylan Menor as newbie cop Efren Taguyonon. He will begin most of his challenging life when Cedrick Juan who plays PC Metrocom Danilo Abad comes into the picture, and makes his once tranquil life into something a lot problematic. 

They made us see the causes of Martial Law lengthy, of what intricate things were done to make it happen. Fact or fiction, this makes them question loyalties, principles, betrayal, how corruption blur the lines of what's right and wrong. While it is set in the 60's, it still discusses something that is sadly happening til now. Piolo Pascual has always been an excellent actor, and a nomination for Best Actor award would not be surprising. Another notable performance would be for the role of his daughter in the film played by Ashtine Olviga. Her role might not have appeared much in the movie, but it is pivotal for the rift between characters, and her endearing ways of communicating emotions is unquestionably brilliant. Enrique too is another, but I think he would've needed more dialogue and grit, but that's just me.

What I'm loving is that they're absolutely BRAVE in doing this film during this regime. That alone deserves something, including the quality of work in post production which might get them a nod. They deserve 4 cows 🐮🐮🐮🐮/5. I'm a little sad that though realizing how the problems in the 60's are still present, like corruption to it's core.

If you want to see the film this coming Christmas, be ready for something a little cerebral. This obviously has been made with higher production value, and that's because of MQuest and the MVP group. Hopefully they'd be able to create more of this even after MMFF 2026!

JM IBARRA and FYANG SMITH Excited About First MMFF Appearance via SHAKE RATTLE and ROLL Evil Origins

Every Metro Manila Film Festival, there's sort of an expected entry from the folks of Regal Films. It's tradition, something that movie goers flock to when it's Christmas, even to watch something scary during the season meld into episodes that have become iconic reminders of lore, monsters and fantasy. This year, they made the conscious decision of putting in one of the most popular love team of this generation, JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith, aka JMFyang. After their stint at PBB, the two have had shows and appearances in ABSCBN and of course, we can't discount how fans have really consumed content about them on social media, further cementing their status as artists capable of carrying their own movie now. This would be a litmus paper test, including the recent Ghosting show they've been in in recent months. 

Fyang says "I'm so happy about the part 1 of Ghosting, that's why we're doing part 2 very soon. Thank you for those who loved it, if it weren't for you this wouldn't happen. We came from a reality show, we are super close friends. He's a "maginoong lalake!". I really like horror movies, I sit on several movies for hours and SRR is something that already exists before I was born, and every Christmas it's something that people anticipate. We want to watch it in it's entirety. I really feel things, I think it's because I came from the province and I often am alone in the house. I remember when something mentioned my name and my cousins didn't believe it."

She adds "I couldn't believe that I'd be really fond of Sassagurl because I was too shy to approach her. She's my happiness and when we met I didn't think we'd click or gel. I am so happy about that. When we see each other bardagulan agad! FranSeth was super easy to work with because they're very focused on the work, they don't get distracted when the film is rolling. They also share and support other artists like us. We really did what we can for DJ Elle, it's already a win to just be part of it. It's a bonus if we win."

JM says "Until now I've been on cloud 9 hearing feedback from my movie in Cinemalaya. I'm happy and thankful for that opportunity to work in the film. We're just enjoying what's happening in and out of showbiz. Episode 2 is about the present time. It's a big thing to be included because this is one of the biggest and longest running franchise in Philippine cinema. We are just overwhelmed. I'm sure we'll be together during Christmas. When I was in Quezon, something really tried to mimic my Dad's voice."

Then he told us "Sassa, Seth and Dylan were really nice people. Working with them was super fun. Seth is really serious when working, he's also funny so it is easy to approach him when we need to. I feel we'll be satisfied with the work we did, and I hope viewers would appreciate that."

Here's the press conference on video:

During the event, Keith Monteverde was at the venue to support the two. Everyone's optimistic that the first MMFF appearance of JMFyang will be as successful as they predict because they see something promising from the two.

Though it's my first time interacting with them, they're super nice and I hope the support their getting translate into box office success so they can make more movies in the future including one that involves love and romance, something JMFyang fans would enjoy! Congratulations to both JM and Fyang, can't wait to see what you've got in store for those who love you. Anyone who's nice deserves that success.

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.