Replacement for Kris Aquino’s MMFF film announced

MANILA, Philippines — The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) has announced that Paul Soriano’s “Sunod” replaced Kris Aquino’s “(K)ampon” as this year’s official entry in the annual film festival. 

In its Facebook page, MMFF announced that the Kris-produced and starred movie was disqualified by the MMFF executive committee for late filing of request of change of lead actor beyond the deadline. 

"The entry (K)ampon of Quantum Films, which is a horror film will be replaced by the movie Sunod after the former film was disqualified by the MMFF Executive Committee as an official entry for filing its request of change of lead actor beyond the July 30, 2019 deadline," MMFF said in a statement.

"Section 12 of Rule III of the 2019 MMFF Rules and Regulations provides that in case of disqualification, the vacant slot shall be automatically filled by the next-in-rank of the same film genre. Per the randing of the Selection Committee, 'SUNOD' is the horror film next-in-rank to the film '(K)AMPON'," the MMFF added. 

Produced by TEN17 Production of Paul Soriano, "Sunod" is directedy by Carlo Ledesma, starring Carmina Villaroel, Mylene Dizon, Susan Africa and Kate Alejandrino. 

MMFF also announced that the next stage of competition in the full length category is via the finished films. The deadline of the finished film submission is on September 20.

Kris' supposed MMFF entry was announced as part of the first four films in the festival. The actress, however, later announced that the lead actor Derek Ramsay backed out in the project because of GMA 7 commitments. He was replaced by Gabby Concepcion.