On Tuesday night, President Rodrigo Duterte invited Filipinos to watch and support the Metro Manila Film Festival. Liza Diño of the Film Development Council of the Philippines posted a video via Instagram of an invitation done by the President himself.
President Rodrigo Duterte To Attend MMFF
According to a report by ABS-CBN, Liza Diño attended the Christmas part of the Office of the President with Aiza Seguerra. Aiza is the National Youth Commission chairperson and Liza’s partner as well. It is in this party that Liza took the video of the president expressing his support for this year’s MMFF.
In the video, President Duterte started with a greeting saying, “My countrymen, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year.” He then went on to urge Filipinos to watch the Manila Film Festival. He said, “I will urge you, iniimbitahan ko kayo to watch the Manila Film Festival.”
Towards the end of the video, President Duterte then says he would also watch and attend as he said, “Magandang event yan, pati ako nandoon. Sama-sama tayo.”
MMFF 2016 ‘Magic 8’
In November, the MMFF announced the eight entries also called the ‘Magic 8’ films which will be screened in the annual Filipino Film Festival.
The “Magic 8” Films are:
– “Die Beautiful” directed by Jun Robles Lana; starring Paolo Ballesteros, “Kabisera” directed by Arturo San Agustin and Real Florido; starring Nora Aunor, Ricky Davao, JC De Vera, Jason Abalos, Victor Neri and Rj Agustin;
-“Saving Sally” directed by Avid Liongoren; starring Rhian Ramos and Enzo Marcos;
-“Seklusyon” (Reality Entertainment) directed by Erik Matti; starring Rhed Bustamante, Phoebe Walker, Elora Espano, Neil Ryan Sese, Ronnie Alonte, Lou Veloso, Dominique Roque, John Vic De Guzman and JR Versales;
-“Sunday Beauty Queen” directed by Baby Ruth Villarama; starring Hazel Perdid, Maylyn Jacobo, Cherry Bretania and Leo Selomenio;
-“Vince & Kath & James” (Star Cinema) directed by Ted Boborol; starring Julia Barretto, Joshua Garcia and Ronnie Alonte;
-“Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2: Forever is Not Enough” (Martinez Rivera Films and Quantum Films in association with TBA) directed by Marlon Rivera; starring Eugene Domingo and Chris Martinez;
-“Oro” directed by Alvin Yapan; starring Joem Bascon.
The criteria for selecting these films were: Filipino sensibility (10%), global appeal (10%), cinematic attributes or technical expertise (40%), and story, audience appeal and overall impact (40%).
MMFF 2016 Parade Of Stars, MMDA To Close Affected Roads
The annual Parade of Stars will be on Quiapo Day, December 23 and will begin in front of the Manila City Hall at Nicanor Lopez Street. They will head to Jones Bridge through Taft Avenue and continue at Quentin Paredes Street.
The parade route will then turn right on Reina Regente Street to Claro Recto Avenue, then to Rizal Avenu, Fugoso Street, Quezon Boulecard and concluding at the Plaza Miranda. This is according to a report by ABS-CBN.
The report further said that the Manila Development Auhtority (MMDA) advised all affected raods will be closed during the parade which will start at 1:00 p.m.
The MMFF 2016 opens on Christmas Day.
More “MMFF 2016” Stories:
Vice Ganda, Vic Sotto Talk About MMFF, Mother Lily And Quality Films
Featured Photo Source: Photo by Presidential Communications Operations Office (Wikimedia commons)
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