2009 Top-Grossing Pinoy Films

Now that the 2009 Metro Manila Film Festival run is over, we bring you the final ranking of the highest-grossing pinoy films of the year.

The Star Cinema and Viva Films co-production, “You Changed My Life”, is the no. 1 local movie of 2009 and the only Pinoy film in history to surpassed the P200 million mark at the box office. The movie also sealed the box office king and queen status of John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo for second year in a row.

In second place is the Vilma Santos comeback movie In My Life and in third place is the megastar and comedy queen starrer Best Friends Forever. Both films were produced by Star Cinema.

20 Top-Grossing Pinoy Movies at the Box Office for 2009

1. You Changed My Life (Star Cinema/Viva) – P230.44 M
2. In My Life (Star Cinema) – P135.73 M
3. BFF: Bestfriends Forever (Star Cinema) – P107.69 M
4. Ang Panday (GMA Films/Imus Productions) – P99.4 M
5. I Love You, Goodbye (Star Cinema) – P94.2 M
6. Ang Darling Kong Aswang (Octoarts/APT) – P89.6 million
7. Tenement 2 (Star Cinema) – P86.45 M
8. Kimmy Dora (Spring Films) – P80 M
9. Shake, Rattle and Roll XI (Regal) – P77.8 M
10. Love Me Again: Land Down Under (Star Cinema) – P67.07 M

11. When I Met You (GMA Films) – P64.29 M
12. Yaya and Angelina (APT) – P63.87 M
13. And I Love You So (Star Cinema) – P54.09 M
14. Villa Estrella (Star Cinema) – P50.08 M
15. Sundo (GMA Films) – P47.18 M
16. Mano Po 6: A Mother’s Love (Regal Films) – P42.0 M
17. Nobody, Nobody But…Juan (RVQ) – P31.9 M
18. OMG: Oh, My Girl! (Regal Films) – P22.45 M
19. Tarot (Regal Films) – P18.14 M
20. Status Single (OnQ-28) – P11.47 M

Mainstream’s Bottom 2:

Nandito Ako Nagmamahal sa ‘Yo (Regal Films) – P5.21 M
Wapakman (Solar) – P2.6 M

Note: The film missing on this list is Star Cinema’s “Ang Tanging Pamilya.” STIR reported that the Ai-Ai/Erap movie raked in P6 million on its opening day. Star Cinema’s Mico del Rosario objected to the said report and clarified that the film had a first day gross of P12 million. There were estimates that the movie’s total gross was at around P70 million but it’s not yet confirmed.

Source: Starmometer.com

‘I Love You, Goodbye’ Climbs to No. 2 of MMFF Box-Office Race

As of January 6, 2010, the Star Cinema entry is now at no. 2 of the MMFF Box Office race.

Ang Panday is still the no. 1 top-grosser with P97.6 million. With 1 day left, can it reach the P100 million mark?

Snatching the 2nd position is Star Cinema’s I Love You, Goodbye which has now raked in a total of P91 million at the expense of Vic Sotto’s Ang Darling Kong Aswang which dropped to 3rd place.

Wapakman is still at the bottom of the list with only P2.6 million haul, one of the year’s biggest flop considering its production budget.

35th Metro Manila Film Festival Box Office
(As of January 6, 2010, Day 13)

1. Ang Panday – P97.6M
2. I Love You, Goodbye – P91M
3. Ang Darling Kong Aswang – P88.3M
4. Shake, Rattle and Roll 11 – P76.3M
5. Mano Po 6 – P41M
6. Nobody, Nobody But Juan – P31.4M
7. Wapakman – P2.6M

Source: Starmometer.com

MMFF Box Office Tally from 2006 to 2009

Check out the final box-office grosses of the Metro Manila Film Festival in the last four years.

From 2006 to 2008, Star Cinema claimed the “MMFF Topgrosser” title for 3 consecutive years with their movies “Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo” (2006), “Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo” (2007) and “Ang Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat” (2008). All three films surpassed the P100 million mark – the bracket which separates the “monster hits” to “mediocre hits.”

Star Cinema’s winning streak was broken in 2009 with GMA Films and Imus Productions’ “Ang Panday” being declared as topgrosser. Their entry, “I Love You, Goodbye”, was in respectable 2nd position considering that it’s classified by MTRCB as a PG-13 movie. Ang Panday, by the way, failed to cross the P100 million bracket with it’s total 14-day gross of P99.4 million, but nevertheless, it was declared the 2009 MMFF topgrosser.

In the last 4 years:

* The highest grossing MMFF was in 2008 with a total gross of P449.3 million

* The highest-grossing MMFF film of all time was Star Cinema’s “Ang Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat” starring Ai Ai delas Alas which garnered a whopping P171 million. Its extended run even pushed the outfit’s earnings to P197 million.

* Wapakman is considered the biggest flop in the last 4 years because its P2.6M gross did not justify its multi-million budget. 2007’s Banal had only P2.34M but it’s only an independent film with a very low budget so it’s not considered a “flop”. In fact, it even managed to win major awards!

* Regal Films at least have 2 entries in the annual filmfest, the most was in 2006 when they have four movies.

* Vic Sotto can be considered as the MMFF Box Office King because his movies in the last 4 years earned a whopping P429.2 million.

Here are the Box Office Grosses of MMFF in the last four years…

METRO MANILA FILM FESTIVAL BOX OFFICE TALLY
(From 2006 to 2009)

2006 MMFF
(Dec. 25, 2006 to Jan. 7, 2007)

1. Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo (Star Cinema) – P140M
2. Enteng Kabisote 3 (Octoarts/MZet) – P128M
3. Shake, Rattle & Roll 8 (Regal) – P57M
4. Matakot Ka Sa Karma (Canary) – P24M
5. Mano Po 5 (Regal) – P23M
6. Super Noypi (Regal) – P19M
7. Zsa­Zsa Zaturnnah Ze Moveeh (Regal) – P12M
8. Ligalig (CM) – P8M
9. Tatlong Baraha – P4M

Total 14-day Gross = P414.5 Million

2007 MMFF
(Dec. 25, 2007 to Jan. 7, 2008)

1. Sakal Sakali, Saklolo (Star Cinema) – P122.8M
2. Enteng Kabisote 4 (Octoarts/MZet) – P104.6M
3. Shake, Rattle & Roll 9 (Regal) – P68.02M
4. Desperadas (Regal) – P35.5M
5. Resiklo (Imus Productions) – P21.66M
6. Bahay Kubo (Regal) – P19.4M
7. Katas ng Saudi (Maverick) – P3.28M
8. Anak ng Kumander (MP) – P2.45M
9. Banal (ComGuild) – P2.34M

Total 14-day Gross = P380.2 million

2008 MMFF
(Dec. 25, 2008 to Jan. 07, 2009)

1. Ang Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat (Star Cinema) – P171M
2. Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After (Octoarts/MZet) – P107M
3. Shake, Rattle & Roll X (Regal) – P68M
4. Desperadas 2 (Regal) – P49.3M
5. Baler (Viva) – P35.8M
6. One Night Only (Octoarts) – P10.5M
7. Dayo (Cutting Edge) – P5.6M
8. Magkaibigan (Maverick) – P2.1M

Total 14-day Gross = P449.3 MILLION

2009 MMFF
(Dec. 25, 2009 to Jan. 7, 2010)

1. Ang Panday (GMA/Imus) – P99.4M
2. I Love You, Goodbye (Star Cinema) – P94.3M
3. Ang Darling Kong Aswang (OctoArts/APT) – P89.6M
4. Shake, Rattle & Roll XI (Regal) – P77.8M
5. Mano Po 6: A Mother’s Love (Regal) – P42M
6. Nobody, Nobody But Juan (RVQ) – P31.9M
7. Wapakman (Solar) – P2.6M

Total 14-day Gross = P437.6 MILLION

Source: Starmometer.com

‘Sanglaan’ Wins 2 Awards at Lyon Filmfest in France

The Cinemalaya 2009 finalist, Sanglaan, is the latest Filipino film to win awards overseas.

Milo Sogueco’s first full-length film, Sanglaan (The Pawnshop) received two awards at the 15th Lyon Film Festival
held last Nov. 3 to 8 in Lyon, France.

The film, which stars Tessie Tomas, Ina Feleo and Joem Bascon won silver in the New Asian Cinema and the bronze Grand Prix du Public audience award.

Earlier this year, Sanglaan won the Best Actress award for Ina Feleo and Best Supporting Actress for Tessie Tomas in the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival which was held at the CCP.

Sanglaan captures stories of five people conflicted with matters of life. A middle-aged woman is troubled by aging. A girl is deeply in love with her high school crush while a security guard becomes a husband to a sick wife. Also featured in the film are similarly interesting characters of a seaman and a loan shark.



Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2009/11/19/sanglaan-wins-2-awards-at-lyon-filmfest-in-france/

‘In My Life’ Hits P80 Million On Its 1st Week

After raking P20 million on its first day, the Star Cinema movie “In My Life” had a first week gross of P80 million.

When it was reported that “In My Life” had a first day gross of P20 million, expectations started to pour in that this film could be the second Filipino movie to surpass the P200 million benchmark after “You Changed My Life.” The John Lloyd-Sarah monster hit movie last February had a first day gross of P18 million and it became the first Filipino film to surpass the P200 million mark at the box-office.

And now reports came that the Vilma Santos comeback movie has now earned P80 million on its first week run. P80 million for 7 days is a remarkable achievement already but it’s not enough for the film to go as far as P200 million.

Ai Ai delas Alas‘ movie “Ang Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat” surpassed the P100 million mark on its first week but ended up earning P197 million in its whole run. So the forecast for “In My Life” to surpass the much coveted P200 million in Philippine Box Office has just got a little bit dimmer.

What happened with You Changed My Life was, it became the talk of the town. People who have seen it on first week delivered the news to those who have not seen it yet that’s why the film is still strong on its second and third week of screening. Not to mention that it received a grade of “A” from the Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB) that enticed moviegoers somehow assuring them that it’s an excellent film.

For the case of “In My Life”, the buzz about the film became weaker although it’s still doing well at the box-office as of this post. But it somehow lost the potential to hit P200 million by virtue of its P80 million haul on its first week.

Maybe the removal of the much hyped, much-awaited and controversial (torrid) kissing scene between John Lloyd Cruz and Luis Manzano hurt the film’s box-office potential a bit. And who could believe that the Cinema Evaluation Board only gave a “B” rating to this film that might have given the perception to movie-goers that it’s not an excellent movie, just a good one.

Download This Movie On Torrent

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2009/09/25/in-my-life-hits-p80-million-on-its-1st-week/

MMFF 2009 Official Movie Entries List (Metro Manila Film Festival)

Ang Darling Kong Aswang – Teaser

M-zet Productions released the teaser trailer of their Metro Manila Film Festival entry “Ang Darling Kong Aswang” as topbilled by Vic Sotto.

Ritchie D’ Horsie returns to showbiz as Vic Sotto’s sidekick in the movie. Ritchie has been Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon’s sidekick in such comedy films in the 80’s like Goodah, Give Me Five, I Won I Won, Tartan, etc.

Ang Darling Kong Aswang also topbills Dennis Trillo’s former girlfriends Cristine Reyes and Pauleen Luna.

Directed by Tony Reyes, Ang Darling Kong Aswang is set to premiere on Christmas Day.



Download This Movie On Torrent

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2009/09/15/ang-darling-kong-aswang-teaser/

‘In My Life’ Receives a Grade of ‘B’ from CEB

The Cinema Evaluation Board has given the Olivia Lamasan movie “In My Life” a fall-out-of-expectation grade of “B”


While the Regal Films horror movie Tarot was given the highest grade of “A” by the Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB) three weeks ago, the highly anticipated Vilma Santos film “In My Life” was only given a “B” rating.

In simple analogy, the CEB thinks “In My Life” is LESS superior than “Tarot.” Or Tarot is a better film than In My Life. What’s happening with the Cinema Evaluation Board?

But of course, we need to watch “In My Life” first to understand why the CEB has given it a lower rating than Tarot. If the critics lambasted the Regal Films horror movie, what would be their take in the ground-breaking Star Cinema film.

In My Life hits the theaters nationwide tomorrow.

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2009/09/15/in-my-life-receives-a-grade-of-b-from-ceb/

I Love You, Goodbye – Star Cinema

“I Love You, Goodbye.” is the official entry of Star Cinema for the 2009 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) directed by Laurice Guillen.

The romantic drama is topbilled by Gabby Concepcion and Angelica Panganiban. They will be supported by Derek Ramsay and Kim Chiu.

“Ito ang third movie ko for the Film Fest. Ngayon lang ako magkakaroon ng movie sa Film Fest na ako ang magiging lead so ibang pressure ang nararamdaman ko lalo,” Panganiban said.

Angelica’s boyfriend in real life, Derek Ramsay, will portray the role of the other man. Kim Chiu, on the other hand, embarks on a more mature role. This is her first movie without Gerald Anderson. She will portray the role of Bettina, Gabby Concepcion’s daughter. Perhaps there’s a slapping scene with her and Angelica.

I Love You, Goodbye is set to premiere on January 1, 2010 as part of Metro Manila Film Festival.

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2009/09/07/i-love-you-goodbye-star-cinema/

Cristine Reyes Replaces Heart Evangelista in ‘Patient X’

Richard Gutierrez has a new leading lady for the upcoming horror film “Patient X” and she’s none other than the sexiest woman in the country!

Heart Evangelista is supposed to be Richard’s leading lady for the role but she can no longer continue to shoot the film, specially the physically demanding scenes, because she got ill.

To meet the screening schedule of the movie this upcoming Halloween, GMA Films and Viva Films replaced Heart with Cristine Reyes.

This is the first time that Richard and Cristine will work together for a same project. Even when Cristine was still a kapuso, she hadn’t had the chance to work with GMA’s top actor. And this is the chance and she’s happy that the producers picked her as replacement.

Patient X is a suspense thriller directed by Yam Laranas (Sigaw, The Echo). It is set to premiere this upcoming Halloween.

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2009/08/29/cristine-reyes-replaces-heart-evangelista-in-patient-x/

Kimmy Dora Gets an ‘A’ Grade from CEB

Getting an “A” from the Cinema Evaluation Board these days is like buying a soda from the nearest sari-sari store, it’s easy. But Kimmy Dora is a film that truly deserves it.

Some films get an “A” from CEB and a thumbs down from the critics. Some films get an “A” from CEB, thumbs up from the critics but ended up “flop” at the box-office.

This time, an indie film with a commercial format like Kimmy Dora, which got an “A” from the CEB and a “thumbs up” from the critics, could potentially be a box-office hit.

From the success of its premiere night at SM Megamall last Tuesday, Kimmy Dora is posed to be the kind of film to conquer all – critics, the government incentive program and the movie-goers. It just need to surpass the P100 million mark and a sequel could not be far behind.

This makes Eugene Domingo as the next big comedy star! Her talent in making people laugh shines throughout the film. Furthermore, she is now being labeled as the “Diamond Comedy Queen”!

According to Eugene, “Flattered ako sa mga sinasabi nila, pero mas importante sa akin, aside sa mga titulo, ay ang kumita ang movie namin. Tulungan naman natin ang producer namin na si Piolo dahil nagsugal siya ng malaki for this project. Si Piolo at ang ilang kaibigan ang dahilan kung bakit may Kimmy Dora at gusto naming i-share ang project na ito sa marami.”

Kimmy Dora is now showing in more than 100 theaters nationwide INCLUDING SM Cinemas.

“…it’s a far better comedy than the mainstream establishment has produced in a long time,” Philbert Dy (Click the City)

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2009/09/03/kimmy-dora-gets-an-a-grade-from-ceb/

‘And I Love You So’ Earns P36.3M in 2 Weeks, ‘Up’ Tops RP Box Office

The Star Cinema romantic movie “And I Love You So” has grossed P36.3M in Mega Manila’s non-SM cinemas in the period of 2 weeks.

In the weekend screening of August 19 to 23, the Bea Alonzo starrer raked in P10.58 million to place third over-all beating the debut weekend of another Pinoy film Love on Line starring Vic Sotto.

Love on Line (LOL), on the other hand, debuted in 4th place with a Mega Manila box office gross of P10.16 million.

Leading the Philippine box office on the same period was Disney Pixar’s “Up”, which garnered a whopping P46.37 million in Mega Manila alone.

At no. 2 is the 3rd week screening of G.I. Joe with a box-office haul of P21.9 million. The action film’s 3-weeks gross is now a remarkable P140,916,591.70 in Mega Manila theaters alone.

Aliens in the Attic debuted in 5th place with P5.41 million while The Time Traveler’s Wife debuted in 6th place with P5.19 million.

Completing the Top 10 are The Hangover (7th), The Proposal (8th), The Orphan (9th) and the Thai movie Ong Bak 2 (10th).

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen has now grossed P357.83 million in 9 weeks. On the other hand, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince has now grossed P191.73 million in 6 weeks.

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2009/08/28/and-i-love-you-so-earns-p363m-in-2-weeks-up-tops-rp-box-office/

Vilma Santos, Luis Manzano & John Lloyd Cruz - ‘In My Life’

In My Life is the final title of John Lloyd Cruz, Luis Manzano and Gov. Vilma Santos‘ upcoming movie from Star Cinema.

Formerly known with the working title “A Mother’s Story”, the movie highlights the comeback of the Star for all Seasons in the silver screen. Even before they started shooting the film, it has been controversial because of the report that there will be a lips-to-lips “kissing scene” between John Lloyd Cruz and Luis Manzano who will portray a gay couple.

Vilma plays the overweight Shirley who owns a pet cat named Kiki in “In My Life.” Luis Manzano and Dimples Romana play her son and daughter. John Lloyd Cruz is Luis’ gay lover. She wears a fat suit in the movie, giving her a totally different look from all the movies she had done.

Aside from the movie, ABS-CBN will air a one month television special called “In My Life” prior to the premiere of “In My Life the Movie.” It will feature Vima’s career as a multi-awarded actress, a showbiz icon, a well-loved politician and a loving mother.

The fourth week will feature behind-the-scenes exclusive features on the making of the film and the three-week shoot in New York. It will be the final episode culminating in a live press conference to be held at the Dolphy Theatre.

In My Life is directed by Olive Lamasan and co-written by Raymond Lee and Senedy Que. No playdate is announced as of yet.

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2009/04/13/vilma-santos-luis-manzano-john-lloyd-cruz-in-my-life/

Patient X - Teaser Posters

Two teaser posters of the highly-anticipated Yam Laranas horror movie - Patient X - were revealed.

Patient X is an upcoming horror movie from GMA Films and Viva Entertainment starring Richard Gutierrez and Heart Evangelista.

Images courtesy of Yam Laranas.

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2009/08/24/patient-x-teaser-posters/

Kimmy Dora - Official Poster and Promotional Photos

Spring Films released the official poster and promotional stills from the upcoming comedy movie “Kimmy Dora: Kambal sa Kyeme.”

Kimmy Dora is Eugene Domingo’s first starring role on the big screen. Also starring are Dindong Dantes, Zanjoe Marudo, Baron Geisler, Meriam Quiambao and Ariel Ureta under the helm of Bb. Joyce Bernal.

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2009/08/18/kimmy-dora-official-poster-and-promotional-photos/

Star Cinema’s ‘And I Love You So’ Banned in All SM Cinemas?

Star Cinema’s latest offering “And I Love You So” starring Bea Alonzo, Derek Ramsay and Sam Milby is now showing in all theaters nationwide EXCEPT SM Cinemas.

The Laurenti Dyogi romantic drama had a very successful premiere night at the Trinoma Mall Cinema in Quezon City last night, August 11, 2009.

In the past, SM Megamall Cinemas (particularly Cinema 9 and 10) were the venue for all Star Cinema movie premiere nights. But why Trinoma Cinema this time?

SM Megamall Cinema 10 was supposedly the venue for the movie’s premiere night as announced by Star Cinema through its multiply site but the site’s content says otherwise (see Google search result below).

Watch the report of Boy Abunda and Kris Aquino Tuesday night on Showbiz News Ngayon making it very clear that And I Love You So is opening today in more than 100 theaters nationwide EXCEPT SM Cinemas. They announced the list of theaters where the public can watch the movie and not even 1 SM cinema was mentioned.

The two hosts did not make any comment regarding the matter. When Boy Abunda mentioned “…EXCEPT SM Cinemas”, Kris Aquino could only mutter “Oh, Oh.”

SM Supermall is an avid sponsor of various GMA shows. Their condominium is being endorsed by Darna star Marian Rivera. Is the network war behind this matter?

Star Cinema, on the other hand, said they will release an official statement regarding this matter any time from now.

Here’s the video clip:

Oh My Girl (OMG) Earns P10.3 Million on its 1st Week

The star-studded comedy movie “Oh My Girl” from Regal Films managed to rake-in P10.3 million in Mega Manila on its first week.

Oh My Girl is topbilled by young superstar Judy Ann Santos and Songwriter/Comedian Ogie Alcasid. It was lambasted by critics for poor depiction of an exhausted storyline.

For the weekend of July 29 to August 2, The Proposal leads Philippine box-office with a haul of P22.87 million. Following at no. 2 is the 3rd weekend screening of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince getting P14.1 million. The 6th Harry Potter Movie already grossed P177.76 million in 3 weeks.

Oh My Girl debuted at no. 3 while the suspense movie Orphan settled for no. 4 with weekend haul of P4.3 million.

TOP 10 PINOY MOVIES OF 2009
(As of August 11, 2009)

1. You Changed My Life - P230.44 million
(Star Cinema and VIVA Films)

2. Bestfriends Forever (BFF) - P107.6 million
(Star Cinema)

3. Tenement 2 - P86.45 million
(Star Cinema)

4. Love Me Again: Land Down Under - P66.8 million
(Star Cinema)

5. When I Met U - P65.7 million
(GMA Films)

6. Sundo - P50.08 million
(GMA Films)

7. Villa Estrella - P47.17 million
(Star Cinema)

8. Status Single - P11.47 million
(VIVA Films)

9. Oh My Girl (OMG) - P10.3 million *
(Regal Films)

10. Ded Na Si Lolo - P6.14 million
(APT Entertainment)

==========================

11. Manila - P700,130.64
(Star Cinema)

12. Sumpa - P272,168
(Yellow Media Productions)

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2009/08/11/oh-my-girl-omg-earns-p103-million-on-its-1st-week/

32nd Gawad Urian - 2009 Nominees

The Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino has already released the list of nominees for the 32nd Gawad Urian for excellence in filmmaking.

Once again, Indie films dominate this year’s set of nominations.

Here is the complete list of nominees for this year’s Gawad Urian:

Best Picture

Jay (Cinemalaya)
Serbis (Centerstage Productions)
Hunghong sa Yuta (Brothers of the Sacred Heart Youth Ministry)
Melancholia (Sine Olivia)
Boses (Casa San Miguel)
Imburnal (Cinema One Originals and Creative Programs)
Yanggaw (Cinema One Originals and Creative Programs)

Best Director

Francis Xavier Pasion (Jay)
Brillante Mendoza (Serbis)
Arnel Mardoquio (Hunghong sa Yuta)
Lav Diaz (Melancholia)
Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil (Boses)
Sherad Anthony Sanchez (Imburnal)
Richard Somes (Yanggaw)
Tara Illenberger (Brutus)
Adolfo Alix Jr. (Imoral)

Best Actor

Baron Geisler (Jay)
Julian Duque (Boses)
Ronnie Lazaro (Yanggaw)
Coco Martin (Daybreak)
Paulo Rivero (Daybreak)
Timothy Mabalot (Brutus)
Perry Dizon (Melancholia)
Neil Ryan Sese (Huling Pasada)

Best Actress

Gina Pareño (Serbis)
Jaclyn Jose (Serbis)
Judy Ann Santos (Ploning)
Mylene Dizon (100)
Angeli Bayani (Melancholia)
Rhea Medina (Brutus)
Boots Anson Roa (Lovebirds)
Anita Linda (Adela)

Best Supporting Actor

Coco Martin (Jay)
Julio Diaz (Serbis)
Yul Servo (Brutus)
Roeder Camanag (Melancholia)
Archie Aleman (Baby Angelo)

Best Supporting Actress

Tessie Tomas (100)
Katherine Luna (Imoral)
Tetchie Agbayani (Yanggaw)
Aleera Montalla (Yanggaw)
Flor Salanga (Jay)
Agot Isidro (Huling Pasada)

Best Screenplay

Richard Somes and Dwight Gaston (Yanggaw)
Francis Xavier Pasion (Jay)
Armando Bing Lao and Boots Agbayani Pastor (Serbis)
Lav Diaz (Melancholia)
Arnel Mardoquio (Hunghong sa Yuta)
Froilan Medina and Rody Vera (Boses)

The names of the persons nominated for the technical awards below will be given at a later date.

Best Production Design

Melancholia
Yanggaw
Jay
Baby Angelo
Serbis
Hunghong sa Yuta
Ploning
Imburnal

Best Cinematography

Yanggaw
Serbis
Jay
Huling Pasada
Ploning
Melancolia
Boses
Imburnal
Adela
Brutus
Hunghong sa Yuta

Best Editing

Jay
Huling Pasada
Serbis
Yanggaw
100
Motorcycle
Ploning
Imburnal

Best Music

Boses
Concerto
Ploning
Imburnal
Brutus
Yanggaw
Kolorete
Hunghong sa Yuta

Best Sound

Hunghong sa Yuta
Serbis
Ploning
Yanggaw
Boses
Adela
Melancholia

The Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino is composed of:

Rolando Tolentino, dean of the UP College of Mass Communication (Head)
Bienvenido Lumbera, National Artist for Literature
Nicanor Tiongson, former artistic director of the CCP and former chair of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board
Mario Hernando, Sunday Malaya editor and MTRCB member
Miguel Rapatan of the De La Salle University
Butch Francisco, columnist and co-host of Startalk
Lito Zulueta, Inquirer lifestyle editor and professor at the University of Santo Tomas
Benilda Santos, professor at the Ateneo de Manila University
Tito Valiente, professor at the Ateneo de Manila University

The awards night of the 32nd Gawad Urian is set for September 19 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2009/08/07/32nd-gawad-urian-2009-nominees/

11th Cinemanila International Film Festival

The 11th Cinemanila International Film Festival is happening in Bonifacio Global City on October 15 to 25, 2009.

The 11th Annual Cinemanila International Film Festival kicks off a brand new decade in its new home – Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. This year’s festival will once again showcase the best foreign and local films from internationally recognized artists and upcoming talents all over the world.

Aside from parallel competitions for full-length, short and documentary films, there will be distinct exhibitions, tributes, marathon showings, outdoor screenings and other special events. Master Classes, seminars and workshops will also be held during the festival and will cover subjects and issues on independent filmmaking. Directors, producers, critics and actors throughout Asia, Europe and North America will be invited to attend this 11-day event at the Bonifacio Global City.

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2009/08/05/11th-cinemanila-international-film-festival/

Piolo’s ‘Manila’ Earns P700K

Distributed by Star Cinema, premiered in Cannes, opened Cinemalaya, great promotions with matching Bench billboards, what went wrong?

Manila is a two-part indie film that features Piolo Pascual, who is also a co-producer for this film, and is helmed by critically acclaimed directors Adolf Alix, Jr. and Raya Martin. The film is inspired by Ishmael Bernal’s 1980 movie Manila By Night and Lino Brocka’s 1979 masterpiece Jaguar.

It had its world premiere at the prestigious Cannes International Film Festival in France. It’s also the opening film for the 2009 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival. It was distributed by Star Cinema in 17 selected theaters, mostly in Mega Manila. And when it comes to promotion, no less than Bench helped with its billboards.

It’s box-office haul was P700,130.64. It grossed only P200,000 on opening day. Some theaters that averaged as low as P5,000, made it a first day, last day opening.

So what went wrong? Perhaps the film is not commercial enough? Perhaps it only caters to the highly intellectual movie-goers? Or perhaps a black and white movie is perceived “boring” by Pinoys.

It may be a flop at the box-office but come awards night next year, it could be one of the contenders. Quality doesn’t always translate to box-office success, you know, and vice versa. Transformers 2 were a critical flop but it became a monster hit. Boys Don’t Cry and Monster’s Ball were box-office flops but they are Oscar winners.

And as for Piolo, as first time producer, we can only say “charge to experience.” At least he had the courage to make an art film rather than a mediocre comedy like Oh My Girl (I’m really frustrated with this movie).

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2009/08/03/piolos-manila-earns-p700k/