Superb chemistry among Vic, Maine and Coco

As expected, people came to the cinemas in droves on Christmas Day, the first day of the annual Metro Manila Film Festival.

Star Circuit went to Gateway Cineplex in Cubao, Quezon City, not really to watch a movie but just to observe the crowd. To be fair, there was a huge crowd at Gateway Cinemas. The lines were very long and winding that we couldn’t see the end of it. Had we decided to watch, we’d probably get a ticket for the next screening since most theaters showing “Fantastica” and “Jack Em Popoy” had sold out screenings.

Instead of watching “Jack Em Popoy,” we decided to just stay at the lobby and ask people around about what movie they plan to see or had watched.

The first long line we approached were the people who were going to watch “Jack Em Popoy” for the 3:20 p.m. screening. It was barely 3 p.m. when we arrived and learned that they had to spend quite some time lining up to buy tickets for “Jack Em Popoy.” But all of them waited patiently for their turn to enter the cinema.

Meanwhile, the people who watched the earlier screening of the Vic Sotto, Maine Mendoza and Coco Martin starrer were already coming out of Gateway with big smiles on their faces. Obviously, they enjoyed watching the latest film from director Michael Tuviera.

As they passed by, we asked if they enjoyed watching the film.

“Enjoy ang pelikula at mahusay si Maine (Mendoza),” said a lady. “We enjoyed the action scenes and comedy of the three lead stars. It was worth the price admission.”

The 3:30 p.m. screening schedule of both “Fantastica” and “Jack Em Popoy” were sold out. Also getting a good share of the Gateway cinema audience were “Mary, Marry Me” and “Aurora.”

We watched “Jack Em Popoy” the other night at SM Angono and we find it very entertaining. It has the right amount of comedy, action and drama. It also has an interesting story about family and forgiveness. Vic, Maine and Coco have superb chemistry. They should do a sequel or a new movie.

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Even if many liked Jericho Rosales’ performance in “The Girl in the Orange Dress,” the actor is not expecting to win an award.  Echo was so natural in his portrayal of the matinee idol Rye Del Rosario in this film directed by Jay Abello and which co-stars him with Jessy Mendiola.

He should be a strong contender for the best actor award at the festival’s Gabi ng Parangal held last night at The Theatre at Solaire.

But Echo didn’t want to expect anything. At the press preview of “The Girl in the Orange Dress” held last week, he said he plans to watch all the entries. If he wins the best actor award, but feels that somebody else deserves it, he will give the award to the actor right onstage.

Echo is perfect for his role as a matinee idol. He had never been so handsomely photographed and he really looks very desirable to be chased by fans of all ages.

Not only was his acting on point, he was every inch the character he was portraying.

“I don’t want to focus on awards night. I just want to have fun. I am not saying I don’t want an award, but if it will be given to me, my heart will explode with happiness. I am not going to think about winning an award but I will attend the event,” said Echo.

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If the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) can’t do its job right in handling the Metro Manila Film Festival, then they should be stripped of the authority to handle the event.

What happened during the MMFF Parade of Stars was a disaster when six of the eight floats of the competing films failed to make it to the parade because their floats got stuck in mud.

The people from Paranaque, the host city of the festival, did not do anything to remedy the situation and to ensure that the parade will go on smoothly.

We pity the producers who spent for the floats but were not able to join the parade. It was such a waste of time and resources. We even read a comment that after the float of “Jack Em Popoy” got moving, the MMDA abandoned the rest of the floats.

The MMFF used to be handled by the Mowelfund. Isn’t it time they return the handling of the festival to Mowelfund?