PIOLO, VICE, GERALD TOPBILL MMFF 2025 EARLY ENTRIES

Piolo Pascual and Vice Ganda will be back when the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) reels off on December 25 this year.

The two box office stalwarts are the headliners in two of the first four films announced as official entries to the annual movie festival on July 8 at Glorietta 2 in Makati City.

Piolo leads the cast of action-drama, “Manila’s Finest,” directed by Rae Red.

Vice topbills “Call Me Mother” opposite Nadine Lustre and directed by Jun Robles Lana.

The two other official entries that have been accepted by the MMFF Executive Committee based on script submission are:

“Rekonek,” starring Gerald Anderson, Gloria Diaz, Alexa Miro, Carmina Villaroel, and Zoren Legaspi, directed by Jade Castro.

• “Shake, Rattle and Roll: Evil Origins” starring Ivana Alawi, Francine Diaz, Kaila Estrada, Fyang Smith, Loisa Andalio, Manilyn Reynes, Janice de Belen, Carla Abellana, Ysabel Ortega, Ashley Ortega, Elijah Alejo, Richard Gutierrez, Ryan Bang, JM Ibarra, Dustin Yu and Seth Fedelin, directed by Shugo Praico, Joey de Guzman and Ian Lorenos The theme of this year’s festival is “MMFF 51: A New Era for Philippine Cinema.” The next four MMFF entries based on finished product will be announced on September 30, announced MMDA Chairman Romando Artes.

They were selected from among 23 scripts submitted this year.

Artes also said that this year, the MMFF reverts to its original 8-movie format in contrast to last year’s 10. This way, he said, more theaters could be assigned the entries.

They can also have better chances of making money.

Makati Mayor Nancy Binay welcomed the opportunity to host MMFF festivities, notably the Parade of Stars for the first time.

The event was hosted by Enchong Dee and Jervi “Kaladkaren” Wrightson.