44th METRO MANILA FILM FESTIVAL

The 44th Annual Metro Manila Film Festival will kick off on Christmas day December 25, 2018. It's been quite a tradition for me to watch at least 3 or 4 films on the first day of the festival, but this year, I'm afraid I might not be able to do this since I will be busy on Christmas day. I think I can only watch one film or may be none at all. 

I don't know but looking at the list of entries this year, only a few films piqued my interest.  Last year I watched four films including Vice Ganda's entry which was the festival's top grosser. I was curious and a bit excited to watch 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach on screen.  I guess I'll just have to wait for the reviews in a few days and then select which one to watch.

We will see if Vice Ganda can maintain his box-office supremacy this year and if the tandem of Vic Sotto and Coco Martin can beat the "unkabogble star."  

There are two horror flicks in the line up, one is a youth oriented film starring young hardcourt hunk Ricci Rivero and Jerome Ponce and the other one stars Anne Curtis. Another interesting entry is "Rainbow's Sunset" which tackles the LGBT theme and stars octogenarian actors Eddie Garcia, Gloria Romero, and Victor Mabesa. 

Real life sisters Toni and Alex Gonzaga plays estranged sisters in Regal Films entry "Marry Marry Me" opposite Sam Milby.  The synopsis says Alex is engaged to Sam who's her sister's ex.  The trailer looks promising and entertaining enough to pull a surprise at the box-office.  Two other romance genres will give "Marry Marry Me" a competition. These are "A Great Love" starring Kim Chiu, Dennis Trillo and JC de Vera and "The Girl in Orange Dress" starring Jericho Rosales and Jessi Mendiola.  

Here's the full list of 8 entries with different genres ranging from family drama to comedy, action and fantasy.

RAINBOW'S SUNSET
Starring: Eddie Garcia, Tony Mabesa, Gloria Romero, and Sunshine Dizon
Directed, by Joel Lamangan
Produced by: Heaven's Best Entertainment
Genre: Family Drama

ONE GREAT LOVE
Starring: Dennis Trillo, Kim Chiu and JC De Vera
Directed by Eric Quizon
Produced by: Regal Films
Genre: Romance, Drama
MARRY, MARRY ME
Starring: Toni Gonzaga, Alex Gonzaga, and Sam Milby, 

Directed by RC Delos Reyes
Produced by: Ten17 Inc
Genre: Romance, Comedy

OTLUM
Starring: Ricci Rivero, Jerome Ponce,
Directed by Joven Tan
Produced by: Horsehoe Productions
Genre: Horror, Comedy

AURORA
Starring: Anne Curtis,
Directed by Yam Laranas
Produced by: Viva Films
Genre: Thriller, horror, suspense

FANTASTICA: The Princess, The Prince and The Perya
Starring: Vice Ganda, Richard Gutierrez, Dingdong Dantes, Kisses Delavin, Donny Pangilinan, Loisa Andalio, Ronnie Alonte, Maymay Entrata, Edward Barber, and Bela Padilla
Directed by Barry Gonzalez
Produced by: Star Cinema and Viva Films
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy

JACK EM POPOY
Starring: Coco Martin, Maine Mendoza and Vic Sotto
Directed by:Mike Tuviera
Produced by: CCM Film Productions, APT Entertainment, M-Zet Productions
Gene: Comedy, Action, Thriller

GIRL IN THE ORANGE DRESS
Starring: Jessy Mendiola, Jericho Rosales, Tom Rodriguez
Directed by Jay Abello
Produced by: Quantum and MJM Films
Genre: Romance, Comedy