8 official entries to 2009 MMFF bared

CEBU, Philippines - The eight official entries to the 2009 Metro Manila Film Festival this December were finally revealed in a simple announcement made by the Executive Committee of the 2009 MMFF, headed by Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando, at the MMDA office in Makati City.

Regal Films has three official entries this year. These are "Mano Po 6: My Mother" with Sharon Cuneta and Vilma Santos and under the direction of Joel Lamangan; "Nieves" with Marian Rivera, directed by Mike Tuviera (a spin-off from an episode in last year's Shake, Rattle and Roll); and Regal's longstanding film tradition, "Shake, Rattle & Roll XI," the cast of which will be headed by Ruffa Gutierrez.

Star Cinema, the movie production arm of ABS-CBN, will have a comedy starring Kris Aquino and Eugene Domingo in “Ikaw Na Nga?” to be directed by Wenn Deramas.

Also for Star Cinema, the "King of Comedy" Dolphy and "Wowowee" host Willie Revillame will have a comedy team-up in "Juan" with script and direction by Eric Quizon.

MMFF regular Vic Sotto will have no Enteng Kabisote this year, but will still have another entry in “Ang Darling Kong Aswang" under M-Zet Productions with direction by Tony Y. Reyes.

Senator Bong Revilla will be back once again as "Panday" under Imus Productions-GMA Films as directed by Mac Alejandre.

The "Pambansang Kamao" Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao will take his real-life boxing prowess to the big-screen with "WaPacman" under Solar Films and directed by Topel Lee.

Even as Senator Bong Revilla and Pound-for-Pound King Manny Pacquiao announced their candidacy this coming 2010 elections, their movies will still enjoy the same number of playdates as the rest of the MMFF 2009 entries. 

As of now, "Panday" is almost halfway done. There are special effects that need to be incorporated into the film. This month, Manny will start shooting for “WaPacman” so that he will still have enough time for his rigid and rigorous training for his much-anticipated boxing fight this October.