Coco not quite out of 2019 MMFF

The report that Coco Martin’s film with Ai-Ai delas Alas and Jennylyn Mercado has been dropped from the 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) was not quite accurate. It’s true that his entry didn’t make it to the first “Magic Four” (based on screenplay) but he still has a chance in the next “Magic Four” (based on finished product).

The first four are: K(Ampon) of Quantum Films; Miracle in Cell #7 of Viva Communications; Mission Unstapabol: The Don Identity of M-Zet Productions and APT Entertainment; and Momalland of Star Cinema/Viva Films.

According to an MMFF spokesman, there shouldn’t be any duplication of genre. K(Ampon), starring Derek Ramsay and Kris Aquino, is horror; Miracle with Aga Muhlach and Nadine Lustre, heavy drama; Unstapabol with Vic Sotto and Maine Mendoza, family drama; and Momalland with Vice Ganda and Anne Curtis, comedy.

Coco’s film is pure action, hopefully the only one of that genre in the finished film category, so he should keep his fingers crossed. The announcement of the last four entries is on Sept. 20 so there’s enough time for prospective companies to improve their entries. As in previous MMFF, the criteria are: 40 percent Artistic Excellence, 40 percent Commercial Appeal, 10 percent Filipino Cultural Sensibility, and 10 percent Global Appeal.

Meanwhile, newly-sworn-in MMFF executive committee member Sen. Bong Go is pushing for the holding of another MMFF in June as a boost to the industry.

Sen. Bong Go (center) is sworn in as a new member of the executive committee of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) by MMDA head Danilo Lim (second from left). Others in photo are (from left) Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez (MMFF executive committee member), MMFF selection committee member Bien Lumbera, and MMDA executive Jose Arturo Garcia Jr.

Pursuant to P.D. No. 1459, an Executive Committee was formed to handle MMFF. In 1977, PD No. 1647 reconstituted the Executive Committee and transferred the management of the MMFF to the Office of the Metro Manila Commission (MMC), the precursor of today’s Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

“It’s a big honor for me to be included in the MMFF Execom,” said Sen. Bong in his speech after he was sworn in by MMDA head Danilo Lim during the announcement of the first four entries last week. “At nakikiisa ako sa hangarin nating lahat na mas palakasin at paunlarin natin ang industriyang patuloy na nagbibigay ng trabaho at kaginhawaan sa marami nating mga kababayan.”

Sen. Bong also stated that he will push for measures to address the concerns and needs of the industry as some of his friends have asked for his help to uplift it. Go also assured the members of the industry that he will craft bills that will be valuable to them. He further guaranteed that he and Pres. DU30 will always support the industry and the Filipino films.

One of the judges of last year’s MMFF, Sen. Go was at The  Theatre at Solaire to award the winners in December 2018.

So far, there are several filmfests (aside from the MMFF), among them PPP (Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino), Cinemalaya, QCinema, Cinema One Originals, CineManila and ToFarm Film Festival. 

If ever, noted a prominent director, there might be more filmfests than films.

Well, anyway, the more the merrier.

Beauty contest winners

2019 Mister National World Jam Kim Vergel(left), 2019 Princess of the World Jashley Murro van Hemelen

• Jam Kim Santos Vergel, 22, a native of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, was crowned 2019 Mister National World in Thailand last July 1. Standing 6’1”, Vergel is an Accounting Technology graduate and currently works as a tourism front desk officer in his hometown. He’s a staunch advocate of the preservation of Mangyan cultural heritage, the conservation and protection of tamaraw (or Mindoro dwarf buffalos) which are solely endemic to the island of Mindoro. He won as 2018 Ginoong San Jose and 2018 Ginoong Agrikultura.

Vergel wore a traditional Mangyan ensemble by Enchong Nocelo Agmata Salatan and Karpov Lingan Laguisma. He also wore the creations of Paul Semira.

•Jashley Murro van Hemelen, a 13-year-old Filipina-Belgian from Mandaue City, Cebu, was crowned 2019 Princess of the World in Bulgaria, beating 39 other contestants worldwide. She also bagged the Best in National Costume and Albena Resort Choice awards, and won a gold medal in modeling.  

A Grade 7 student at Singapore School of Cebu, she earned the right to compete in Bulgaria after she was crowned 2018/19 Pre-Teen Princess Philippines in December last year, an annual search organized by Maan Cueto Aris of GlaMore Productions.— Reported by Celso de Guzman Caparas