The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Isabella Cuartero
The 52nd Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) unveiled the first batch of official entries for this year’s festival during its July 7 launch at GH Mall in San Juan. Selected based on script quality, the initial lineup includes four films chosen from 24 submissions. The festival will feature a total of eight entries.
MMFF also announced that ticket prices will not exceed ₱299, with provincial tickets targeted at around ₱200–₱250 to make the festival more accessible to wider audiences.
During the event, Mandaluyong Mayor Menchie Abalos highlighted the significance of Philippine cinema, describing it as a reflection of society. She said cinema is not merely entertainment but also an art form and an important facet of the country’s culture.
Abalos said movie theaters have become homes for stories that bring families together, while films serve as powerful instruments that preserve history and contribute to society. “Sa pamamagitan ng pelikula, ang ating kasaysayan ay hindi nalilimutan. Ang sine at pelikula ay may mahahalagang ambag.”
She also emphasized the importance of purposeful storytelling: “Mga kuwentong may puso, may dangal, at may layuning magbigay liwanag.”
“Ang tagumpay ng pelikulang Pilipino ay tagumpay ng sambayanang Pilipino,” she concluded.
San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora and Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya also voiced their support for the local film industry. Gasataya assured MMFF of Bacolod City’s continued support, saying films offer many people in the provinces an escape from everyday problems and challenges.
“Ang pelikula, for us na galing sa probinsya, somewhat it’s an escape for us from problems, issues, and challenges.”
He added that MMFF does more than showcase movies; it also inspires the Philippine creative industry.
The first four official entries, announced in no particular order, are “2nd Miracle in Cell No. 7,” a family drama from Viva Communications led by Aga Muhlach, directed by Nuel Naval, and written by Mel Mendoza-Del Rosario as the sequel to the 2019 Filipino adaptation of the hit Korean drama; “Amir,” a fantasy drama from GMA Pictures directed by Zig Dulay and written by Ricky Lee and Angeli Atienza, starring Argus Aspiras, Dennis Trillo, Will Ashley, and Glaiza De Castro; “The Haunted Carnival,” a horror-thriller from Regal Entertainment, Inc. directed by Joey De Guzman, written by Allan Tijamo, and starring John Arcilla, James Reid, Julia Barretto, Fyang Smith, and Maricel Soriano; and “The Greatest Showdown,” a comedy produced by ABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc. (AFPI) and The IdeaFirst Company, directed by Jun Robles Lana, written by Jumbo Albano, and starring Vic Sotto and Vice Ganda.
The event also recognized several award-winning films from the 51st MMFF, including “Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins,” “Bar Boys: After School,” “Manila’s Finest,” “Call Me Mother,” “UnMarry,” and “I’mPerfect.” “Call Me Mother” received the Gender Sensitivity Award, while “I’mPerfect” will represent the Philippines at a film festival in Italy. Organizers also reiterated MMFF’s commitment to inclusivity.
The 52nd MMFF is presented by PlayTime Entertainment and produced by Toplex Media and Entertainment.