MMFF's twin event

MANILA, Philippines - The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) held a twin event last Feb. 23 at the Roof Deck of Emar Suites in Mandaluyong City: The formal launching of MMFF 2012 and appreciation dinner for those who made MMFF 2011 a huge success.

Timed with the twin event is the handing of cash prizes to the winners of last year’s filmfest, led by Asiong Salonga, which romped away with 11 awards. Entries which also won awards were Yesterday Today Tomorrow, Segunda Mano, Panday 2, My Househusband, Enteng ng Ina Mo and Shake, Rattle & Roll 13.

In the New Wave — Independent Film Section, Best Picture was Pintakasi. Other winners: HIV, Mate, Payaso, Biyahe ni Barbie and Speechless.

MMFF 2011 grossed an all-time high of P636,792,509.57.

Although Metrowide in billing, the filmfest is actually nationwide in scope, its entries opening in Metro Manila and the rest of the Philippines. It opens Dec. 25 and runs until first week of January.

Lawyer Francis Tolentino, chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority, is the over-all chairman of the filmfest, with Jesse Ejercito as executive chairman.

Metro Manila Film Festival is now on its 38th year, founded by former Pres. Joseph Estrada when he was mayor of San Juan.

Through the years, the filmfest has shown movies which became classics, winning accolades here and abroad.

They include Ishmael Bernal’s Himala, Lino Brocka’s Insiang and Bona, Eddie Romero’s Ganito Kami Noon…Paano Kayo Ngayon, Marilou Diaz-Abaya’s Jose Rizal and Brutal, Mike de Leon’s Kisapmata, Celso Ad. Castillo’s Burlesk Queen, Gil Portes’ Andrea, Lupita Aquino-Kashiwahara’s Minsa’y Isang Gamo-gamo, Augusto Buenaventura’s Bakya Mo Neneng and Laurice Guillen’s Tanging Yaman.

The list is by no means complete.

Beneficiaries of the filmfest include Mowelfund, Film Academy of the Philippines and the Motion Pictures Anti-Film Piracy Council.