Green Bones Tops MMFF 2024 Awardees: Now Shows in Over 180 Cinemas

Green Bones unfurled a few surprise wins in the recent Metro Manila Film Festival 2024 Gabi ng Parangal (Awards Night) which happened last December 27th hosted by the folks from the Metro Manila Development Authority. They won the festival's coveted BEST PICTURE Award amongst 10 entries including the Best Actor award for Dennis Trillo, Best Supporting Actor for Ruru Madrid, Best Child Performer for Sienna Stevens, Best Screenplay for National Artist Ricky Lee and Angeli Atienza, Best Cinematography by Neil Daza and the nod of critics. The night's award ceremony was witnessed by GMA Network's Senior Vice President and GMA Films President Ms. Anette Gozon-Valdes. She describes the win as a great show of their efforts, risks, to ultimately tell the story in hopes of people loving the story, in its wonderful and outstanding depiction. 

This is the vision of GMA Picture's Executive Vice President Nessa Valdellon. They wanted to make sure that the movie would become a vessel to showcase the amount of talent their artists have, and no doubt Dennis Trillo, Ruru Madrid gave their all.  Critics likewise saw how production took risks, and lauded how Director Zig Dulay made sure it be at par or even better than last year's successful entry "Firefly" which got rave reviews and top awards  too. Dennis' portrayal of Dom Zamora had complexity, Ruru on the other hand did Xavier Gonzaga - who's a very colorful character, who wouldn't want to fall or have a change of heart with criminals like Dom in the film. MMFF also took notice of Sienna Stevens, got her the Best Child Performer trophy, and nominations for talented actors Royce Cabrera and our guy Mikoy Morales who had their moments in the film. If you haven't watched it yet, just be warned I've seen fully grown men who had a bout of crying in the cinema, a handy work of Ricky Lee and his excellent screenwriting no doubt. Go watch this touching, but now, well decorated film that's been lauded by movie goers during the festival. You'll be surprised how emotional it will get in the end, and see why Green Bones took accolades this year.

Best Actress Marian Rivera-Dantes' "BALOTA" Hits Theaters October 16th

It's been a while since I've last seen Ms. Marian Rivera-Dantes. I also missed the opportunity to watch her latest movie "BALOTA" which was showcased at Cinemalaya XX which won her the Best Actress trophy for obvious reasons. The film mirrors real life (although satire), of an educator who goes over and beyond her duty in the classroom. Teacher Emmy not only thinks about her future, but spins in the optimism of electing leaders, and finding out the grim reality of the human psyche.

In a mayoralty race of their quaint town, they had the choice between a land grabbing power hungry woman, or a former s3xy actor. Since she also administers a precinct during the elections, she gets caught in the action when the result meant people seizing the ballot box she carries in order to win. The woman with integrity didn't budge with any force, and baddies even became more eager to find or eliminate her, no matter what it takes.

Marian by any means still looked every bit beautiful even if she was de-glamorized. The chase brought her to vehicles, the forest, the querida's house, the s3xy actor's house, the boondocks, something you wouldn't think she'd have to do as a premiere actress yet here we are. Marian says "I couldn't explain how I felt after shooting "Balota". I even mentioned to Dong how fulfilled I felt doing it despite me being in the industry for a while now. It fed my hunger to do worthwhile projects like these. I felt inspired after that win given to me by the Cinemalaya community."

The exciting thing is, they will be having this released for public viewing this coming October 16. This is produced by GMA Pictures, written and directed by Kip Oebanda. The film also includes actors Will Ashley, Raheel Bhyria, Royce Cabrera, Sassa Gurl, Esnyr, Donna Cariaga, Gardo Versoza, Mae Paner, Sue Prado, Joel Saracho, Donna Cariaga and Nico Antonio. Apt for the times, great story line that is cohesive. It's genius. Having Marian Rivera-Dantes is a great reason to also watch this. It's our story.

5 Good Reasons to Watch "CALL ME PAPI" in Cinemas Today!

Spent an evening with the cast of CALL ME PAPI, it was their red carpet premiere and I think I under dressed, and I'm so sorry for that haha! I've been following this project for some time now, and was really excited to see how this would look like on the silver screen. This is also the last known project of Shandii Bacolod (Team MSB and FEAST Productions) who produced and conceptualized this film. She passed before the last day of filming, and they dedicated this to her. It's a light, funny film with 5 men involved. The roles are played by Enzo Pineda, Lharby Policarpio, Royce Cabrera, Aaron Concepcion and Albie Casiño. After watching the film, I could tell how you would probably like CALL ME PAPI which shows today on cinemas.

Three Years in the Making

It took a lot of time to make this film happen, it got delayed because they started a few days til the strict lockdown was imposed in the country. Stopping in the middle of filming made much of the artists act if it'll never be continued... but they did. It got stopped again when a surge happened. They followed strict protocols and was finally able to finish it July this year, which was a relief especially for those who would be handling continuity (of course their bodies and looks changed over time). The cast was ecstatic when they were done.

The Story is EASY

It was so nice to be there, the realization that both Dr. Alvin Yapan and Shandii Bacolod made this easy to digest in itself is already something different. They've made several films that are more on the serious side, very artsy, and would usually take time to understand, pretty cerebral. The feeling of being amongst usual friends, a huge barkada, that you would take a bullet for when times are hard.

The Boys

Enzo Pineda, Lharby Policarpio, Royce Cabrera, Aaron Concepcion and Albie Casiño alone would make you watch this film. They are absolutely in their best shape, though not the reason it's R-16, it's probably going to be one of the reasons to see this film. See, those muscles do actually come with deep stories in each of the characters they play. You'll find yourself rooting for one or almost all of them when you understand where they are coming from. Much of the drama though rests on Albie Casino's character, but as the film's name implies, he wouldn't end up handling everything alone because no matter how much things cost, the guys chip in to make things better. It is testosterone filled, but it ain't toxic... that alone should be appreciated.

It's FUN

There are several scenes which you'll find funny, but it wouldn't need a scientist to figure out. A little close to home especially if you're fond of "Tindahan" scenes where everything happens over a few bottles of beer and pulutan. The raunchy scenes would come, yes, it's certainly one of the highlights but never because of what you think. Watch out for the femmes because they too are built differently.

HOPE and LOVE

If there's a thing you would pick up from the relationships they forged, the women they loved or the reasons they leave or stay, is that there is hope, and LOVE for one another. It wouldn't be said straight forward, but done with a nudge, a banana, and eggs.

Go head on to theaters today to watch CALL ME PAPI. I liked what I saw in cinemas, because it's time you take a break from the usual serious movies. You need to get entertained while learning something in the process. These boys had that figured out.