Nora Aunor leads CineFilipino line-up

MANILA, Philippines - CineFilipino may only be on its first year, but the new film festival has already attracted many acclaimed talents. Leading the star-studded line-up is Nora Aunor. The Best Actress winner of the recently-concluded Asian Film Awards is playing the titular role in Mes de Guzman’s much talked-about movie Ang Kwento Ni Mabuti. The emotional family drama shot in the scenic Nueva Vizcaya tells the story of a healer named Mabuti (Aunor), who still looks at life positively despite trying times.

The festival will also see Jasmine Curtis-Smith making her film debut in the suspense thriller Puti. Helmed by Mike Alcazaren, Puti is a gripping tale of a counterfeit painter who starts seeing strange images after a freak car accident. It also stars Ian Veneracion, Lauren Young and Bryan Pagala.

Like Jasmine, Artista Academy alumnus Akihiro Blanco gets his first film acting gig in Ato Bautista’s coming-of-age love story Mga Alaala ng Tag-Ulan. The teen actor, whose raw acting chops have often been compared to that of a young Robin Padilla, will share the screen with the sexy performer Mocha Uson as the object of his affection. Rounding up the cast are Mon Confiado, Issa Litton, Lance Raymundo and Pio Balbuena.

On the other hand, Tuesday Vargas nabbed the lead role in the romantic comedy Ang Turkey Man Ay Pabo Rin. The Talentadong Pinoy and Loko Moko U regular will play half of the wacky Filipino-American couple in newbie filmmaker Randolph Longjas’ cross-cultural comedy. Travis Kraft will play Tuesday’s American husband.

Another laugh fest to watch out for is Ron Bryant’s entry Bingoleras. The comedy of errors based on the intersecting lives of six women playing bingo, boasts of an impressive cast led by Eula Valdez, Max Eigenmann, Charee Pineda, Mercedes Cabral, Hazel Orencio and Liza Diño. Other films in competition are The Muses, Ang Huling Cha-Cha Ni Anita and Guerilla Is A Poet. CineFilipino Film Festival will run from June 26 to July 2.