Philippine cinema queens at the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival

The first four official entries to the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival on December 25, 2023, Christmas day, have been announced and one of them, based on the merits of its script, is “Family of Two (Mother and Son Story)” being headlined by Sharon Cuneta and Alden Richards with Nuel Naval at the helm.

Loyal fans of Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos and Maricel Soriano are hoping, though, that their idols’ starrers be considered to become the last four movies to complete the Magic 8 slate.

`According to them, with the presence of Sharon, Nora, Vilma and Maricel in this year’s film fest will spell excitement and box-office successes, one of the pursuits of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the agency which oversees MMFF, the annual film fiesta.

“Mas magningning ang MMFF kung kumpleto ang mga reyna ng pelikulang Pilipino lalo na si Nora (MMFF will shine brighter with the participation of the queens of the contemporary Philippine movies especially Nora),” asserted Arsenia Avellaneda Palentinos, also known as Arseng in the Noramania world.

“Maganda rin na may Vilma sa film fest. Tiyak, tatabo sa takilya (Its’ also good that there is Vilma in the event. Surely, it will earn moolah at the tills),” exclaimed Lily Arriero, a Vi fan.

“Dapat lang si Sharon, nand’yan, malaki ang magagawa niya sa (It is just right that Sharon is there because she can do a lot for the) MMFF,” said Aurea Martin.

“Hoy, si Maricel din, may ‘K’ ‘yan (Hey, Maricel has also a right to be included),” extoled male Maricel admirer Andy Sotero.

Last September 29, 2023, during the deadline set for the application to the last four entries to be selected based on its finished product, there were more than thirty films submitted but only four will be considered for the final slots.

Nora’s films, “Pieta” and “Mananambal” both directed by Adolf Alix, Jr. were entered together with Vilma Santos’ When I Met You in Tokyo” directed by Rado Peru and Rommel Penesa and Maricel Soriano’s “In His Mother’s Eyes” directed by FM Reyes.

What are the chances of these masterpieces by no-nonsense filmmakers at the final four slots of the festival when there are other equally worthy projects?

Aunor, who has time and again proven she’s the queen of the film fest, still carries aces up her sleeves with her superb acting but arguably her box-office magic.

Nora’s entries are substantial and festival quality so with Vilma’s “When I Met You in Tokyo” which she stars with perennial box-office partner Christopher de Leon. This is Santos’ comeback vehicle after a long hiatus from the acting scene. Although there are talks that Vi wants a more powerful film, we don’t doubt her performance in the film.

Maricel’s film could also be a dark horse because it is a return of her team with Roderick Paulate.

Sharon’s entry has an upper hand, though, as it is already chosen as a priority in the running. Alden is also an attractive come-on as her co-star. This early, controversies abound in the filming of the movie and the hot stories that are associated with the stars if we consider their power to draw in crowds to theaters.

Other films in the run like “(K)Ampon” starring Beauty Gonzales and Derek Ramsay and “Song of the Fireflies” showcasing Morisette Amon etc. both directed by King Palisoc; “Rewind” featuring Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes directed by Mae Cruz Alviar; “Penduko” highlighting Matteo Guidicelli and Cristine Reyes directed by Jason Paul Laxamana; “Broken Heart’s Trip” headlining Christian Bables directed by Lemuel Lorca; “Plandemic Lisik” with new stars directed by Nate Carado; “Loyalista: The Untold Story of Imelda Papin” starring Claudine Barretto etc. directed by Gabby Ramos; “Hiwaga” highlighting Isko Moreno etc. directed by Vince Tañada; “Gomburza, The Movie” presenting Piolo Pascual etc. directed by Pepe Diokno; “Unspoken Letters” headlining Tonton Gutierrez etc. directed by Mario Alaman and Paolo Bertola; “Nokturno” with Nadine Lustre heading the cast directed by Mikhail Red; “Firefly” Alessandra de Rossi topping the billing directed by Zig Dulay; “Lola Magdalena” Gloria Diaz playing the lead role directed by Joel Lamangan; “Becky and Badette” Eugene Domingo and Pokwang taking the lead directed by Jun Robles Lana; “Selda Tres” featuring Desar Montano etc. directed by GB Sampedro; “Good Game” top billing Donny Pangilinan directed by Prime Cruz; “Mallari” starring Piolo Pascual, Ms. Gloria Diaz etc. directed by Derick Cabrido; “Moro” highlighting Christopher de Leon etc. directed by Brillante Ma. Mendoza and “Shake, Rattle and Roll” showcasing Iza Calzado etc. directed by Jerrold Tarog, Joey de Guzman and Richard Somes.

Last year’s frontrunner in the earnings was “Deleter” which starred Nadine so why not give a slot to another Lustre-Red team this year if the MMFF consideration is also box-office supremacy.

Piolo has three entries while Christopher, Gloria, Dingdong have two each among the hopefuls to be announced tomorrow, October 17, 2023.

Meanwhile, the MMFF has extended its US participation by showing this year’s films in California where many Filipinos thrive.