These are just some of the classics in Philippine cinema that continue to draw audiences decades after they first debuted in cinemas.
The fact that these movies have been adapted into plays and continue to be re-shown during special screenings comes as no surprise. They are, after all, some of the most brilliant creations of their era.
Without the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), however, these movies would most likely have not seen the light of day. A common thread that binds these classics is that they were all adjudged winners in the country’s most prestigious film festival.
For over the past 31 years, the MMFF has been one of the most respected award-giving bodies in the local movie industry, a reputation earned by a constant drive for excellence and improvement.
The MMFF, held under the auspices of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), has been the venue for Filipino film classics that have elevated actors, actresses, directors, screenwriters and producers to legendary status. Under the leadership of Bayani Fernando, MMFFP Executive Committee and MMDA chairman, the MMFFP has soared to greater heights, logging records in box-office attendance year after year.
The MMFF sets itself apart as the definitive annual Philippine movie event by imparting much-needed luster to the industry, no matter how bad it has been throughout the year.
With an average of 300 films being shown here every year, local movie producers are constantly up against stiff competition. The MMFF is a breath of fresh air for the industry because it has all the critical elements that could launch a box-office hit.
Movie entries are selected on the basis of the script. This means that from the outset, aspirants are sifted and only the best make it to the MMFF. Not only that. Films that make it into the roster are from a variety of genres so there is something for every moviegoer.
Another crucial factor is that the timing could not be more perfect. Since the MMFF happens during the Yuletide season, the festive mood and the break from school and work give children, teens and adults the chance to watch a movie. Moreover, Christmas bonuses give families extra cash to go out and watch movies.
Lastly, only Filipino films are shown in theaters throughout the festival duration, thus giving local producers with movie entries a captive audience.
All these factors combined make an MMFF slot a much-coveted one.
It is regarded as an achievement and an honor to be able to produce a movie that makes it into the MMFF roster.
The MMFF continues to be a sterling success year after year because people behind it are constantly innovating, making each festival bigger and better than the previous one.
In a ground-breaking stroke last year, the film festival’s Executive Committee, for the first time, signed up with a private organization, the Manila Broadcasting Co. (MBC), to serve as the filmfest’s co-producer and exclusive marketing arm.
Both parties have renewed that agreement for this year.
"In this day and age, we realize the importance of targeted marketing in making an event a resounding success. From the outset, it was clear that MBC, because of its experience in holding large-scale events and the unmatched reach of its radio network, would be an effective partner of the MMFFP Executive Committee," says Fernando.
"This partnership with MBC is in line with our thrust to expand the scope of the MMFFP. We want the film festival experience to go beyond the theater and spill onto the streets of Metro Manila and key cities all over the Philippines," adds lawyer Espiridion Laxa, a respected name in the movie industry who belongs to the MMFFP Executive Committee.
Leveraging on the lessons learned from last year, the co-producers of the MMFFP will again surround the film festival with a full slate of promotional activities that will generate even more excitement and awareness among the public.
Among the activities lined-up this year are MMFF Mall Tours from Dec. 16 to 30 and the Recorida from Dec. 19 to Jan. 4, 2006 which will complement the traditional Christmas Eve Parade of Stars and Awards Night on Jan. 6, 2006.
The top actors and actresses starring in the MMFFP movies will promote the filmfest in the popular malls all over the Metro and a fleet of Recorida Vans will be deployed in residential and commercial areas to announce the upcoming film festival while giving away memorabilia and assorted goodies.
This year will also see the debut of People’s Choice Awards categories wherein the winners will be determined by audience voting via SMS, popularly known as texting.
The MMFFP 2005 is sponsored by Tanduay, Hope, Kremil-S, East West Bank, Minola, Bacchus, Petron Gasul and Circulan.