Which one will direk Joyce give up?

MANILA, Philippines - Director Joyce Bernal was happy to learn that her two new film projects are among the eight official entries in the forthcoming 39th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), but she might have to give up one.

Direk Joyce confirmed to The STAR that she was informed last Tuesday, the day when MMDA chair Francis Tolentino announced the full line-up, that there’s an MMFF ruling that no director can have two entries. A screening committee source said that the lady director would have to choose which film she will do for this year’s MMFF, although there’s no official word from the execom yet.

The two movies, which have listed her as the director, include Robin Padilla’s 10,000 Hours with Michael de Mesa and Bela Padilla as co-stars. The action-drama under Philippine Film Studio, Inc. is inspired by events that transpired when Sen. Panfilo Lacson went into hiding and became a fugitive in 2010, direk Joyce told The STAR. 

The other one is the dramedy Torky and My Little Bossing under OctoArts Films, M-Zet TV Productions, APT Entertainment, Inc. and Kris Aquino Productions.

It’s a Vic Sotto and Kris Aquino starrer, but Kris will appear intermittently in the film. The movie also serves as the launching movie of Kris’ son Bimby with new GMA 7 child sensation Ryzza Mae Dizon.

Direk Joyce said that the film tells the story of a mother and a child (Kris and Bimby) whose lives are in danger. Mother temporarily leaves young son in the care of Vic’s character for safety. Ryzza, meanwhile, will play Vic’s granddaughter. “Ang cute and ang ganda ng story,” Joyce said.   

While direk Joyce sees no problem finishing the two in time for the filmfest, as she will wrap up shooting 10,000 Hours in August and begins filming Torky and My Little Bossing in September, still “if it’s the ruling, I will accept it.”

“I don’t know what to do personally,” said Joyce, but if really made to choose, she’ll have to go with 10,000 Hours because the project was offered to her first early this year and she started shooting it a few days ago. 

Another MMFF entry is the third Kimmy Dora film. Joyce directed the previous ones but the MMFF entry will be directed by Chris Martinez. “It’s the prequel and I’m still part of it as one of the producers” under Spring Films.

Meanwhile, a religious biopic is another standout in this year’s MMFF roster. San Pedro Calungsod Batang Martir is a film on the second Filipino saint, Pedro Calungsod, who was canonized in Vatican last year.  

When asked how the religious-historical drama will attract mainstream viewers, director Francis Villacorta said, “I hope the Filipino youth is ready for this kind of material since this is an alternative viewing for them since Pedro Calungsod is supposed to be an example of the youth and for migrant workers. For two years, I have researched for this material heavily. I have begun my own devotion for San Pedro Calungsod because of this film. It became my own quest to tell this story.”

He added, “More than a year since we announced this project with JM de Guzman (in the title role) so many happened in the life of JM but he didn’t waver in the project. Giving up on this project was not an option. If we didn’t make it to the MMFF, we have another plan.”

(See related story in Funfare.)