Metro Manila Film Festival 2008 Official Entries

8 movies are selected this year as official entries to the 34th Metro Manila Film Festival as announced by Julie Borje, chair of the Selection Committee.

1. Dayo
Cutting Edge Productions
Director: Robert Quilao

2. Baler
(Viva Films)

3. Desperadas 2
(Regal Films)

4. Shake, Rattle and Roll X
(Regal Films)

5. Magkaibigan
(Maverick Films)

6. One Night Only
(Canary Films)

7. Escaleras and Ungasis(20 years After)
OctoArts Films

8. Ang Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat
(Star Cinema)

Unlike last year, all movies this year will be screened simultaneously as one batch during the 10-day run. It was the first time in 34 years that an animation movie is one of the official entries of the filmfest. Cutting Edge Production’s "Dayo" is one of the selected films this year.

This year, official entries were chosen on the basis of the following criteria: Story, creativity, innovativeness, global appeal, commercial viability, Filipino cultural/historical value, and the production outfit's capacity to produce the film in time for the December filmfest.

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2008/07/01/metro-manila-film-festival-2008-official-entries/

Angel Locsin and Piolo Pascual "Land Down Under"

After Milan, Dubai, London and Greece, Star Cinema is now bringing the Filipinos to Australia in the upcoming movie starring “Lobo” partners Piolo Pascual and Angel Locsin.

The shooting of the Angel-Piolo movie is about to begin tomorrow at Pasugong and Malaybalay, Bukidnon and will last for 28 days. After Bukidnon, the cast and crew will fly to Darwin, Australia to shoot the rest of the movie for the same number of days.

The director of the said movie is Rory Quintos.

Piolo and Angel have been training in horseback-riding under the guidance of couturier Vic Barba and Mikee Cojuangco in preparation for their roles as cowboy/cowgirl.

Land Down Under is scheduled to hit the theaters on Nov. 12, 2008 as the last movie in line with the studio’s 15-year anniversary.

Angel Locsin talks about "Land Down Under"
Locsin took a short break after her television hit series "Lobo". She has started lessons in horseback riding in preparation for her upcoming film under Star Cinema entitled “Land Down Under” with Piolo Pascual.

"Super excited kami... challenge lahat maski yung behind the scenes. Kasi sa Bukidnon kayo mag-stay walang glamorous lifestlye doon. Pati sa Australia magte-tent lang kami or sleeping bags kasama namin yung mga insects ganoon," she said.

Locsin that she is ready to take all the risks while filming the movie.

"Actually excited ako dagdag kwento ko din yon pero huwag naman sana," she said.

Last Friday, August 29, Locsin and Pascual started to shoot the film at Pasugong and Malaybalay in Bukidnon.

They will be there for 28 days before they fly to Darwin, Australia to shoot the rest of the film and will be there for almost four weeks.

"Land Down Under" is another offering of Star Cinema for their 15th anniversary. The movie is directed by Rory Quintos and is set to hit the theaters on November 12, 2008.

Piolo Pascual talks about 'Land Down Under'
Popular actor Piolo Pascual shared his excitement for his upcoming movie project with actress Angel Locsin entitled “Land Down Under.”

“Iba iyong pressure, iba iyong ‘Lobo’. But for a movie it’s a different challenge definitely all together,” Pascual told abs-cbnNEWS.com.

The actor said that aside from doing a first movie with Locsin, it’s also his first time to work with movie director Rory Quintos.

Pascual said that he and Locsin will be shooting in Bukidnon and in Darwin, Australia for their cowboy/cowgirl scenes.

“I’m looking forward to it, at first time ko po itong Bukidnon and we'll be filming in Australia as well. So it’s definitely a welcome challenge,” he said.

“I always look forward to the movies that I do, because iba lagi ang approach. And with ‘direk’ Rory you can be sure na it’s a nice movie na hindi pababayaan, after all her critically acclaimed movies."

Pascual shared that as preparations for his role in the movie, he and Locsin are now training for horseback-riding under Vic Barba and actress-equestrienne Mikee Cojuangco.

Pascual and Locsin do their trainings at Manila Polo Club.

They will also do some of the popular sports in Bukidonl.

“Marami, all the sports they do in Bukidnon iyong how they pin down iyong bull or how they race with the horses. It’s gonna be pretty physical,” Pascual said.

The actor admitted he had some misgivings in portraying the role of cowboy, since he has to act as if he is really experienced and trained to be one.

“With the trainings that we’ve had for more than a month so far po ay nagugustuhan ko naman iyong pagho-horsebackriding. I never thought that I was really gonna enjoy, masakit at first,” he said.

Pascual shared that for the first day of his horseback riding training he got blisters since he didn’t know how to ride. But as time went by he got the hang of it.

“It's something that I enjoyed doing and I feel good knowing na hindi siya mahirap na trabaho kasi na-e-enjoy ko siya,” he said.

To ensure the safety of Pascual and Locsin the ABS-CBN management got them insured while doing the movie.

Piolo Pascual is a member of ABS-CBN's Star Magic. He is preparing for his out of the country shows with other stars like John Lloyd Cruz.

He also has a coffee table book entitled "Piolo: Believing" that showcases his career highlights.

Piolo started his career in 1997 and had his first big movie break entitled "Lagarista" in 2000 where he received his first Gawad Urian nomination for Best Actor.

He also starred in ABS-CBN's series "Sa Piling Mo" last 2006 with actress Judy Ann Santos and last year's "Walang Kapalit" with Claudine Baretto.

Sources:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=129914
http://www.starmometer.com/2008/08/28/angel-locsin-and-piolo-pascual-to-start-shooting-land-down-under/

Jericho Rosales and Anne Curtis star in the movie "Baler"

Jericho Rosales and Anne Curtis team up in the official entry of Viva Films to the 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), Baler.

The period in Philippine history known as the Siege of Baler is the setting of this forbidden love story between an Indio soldier (Jericho) and a Filipina lass (Anne) who lived at the end of the 19th century.

The cast includes Baron Geisler, Bernard Palanca, Carlo Aquino, DJ Durano, Joel Torre, Mark Bautista, Michael de Mesa, and Ryan Eigenmann. It opens in theaters on December 25, 2008.

Source: http://www.mukamo.com/jericho-rosales-anne-curtis-movie-baler/

2008 Cinema One Digital Film Festival Finalists

7 new digital films will compete in the 4th edition of Cinema One Digital Film Festival.

Cinema One Digital Filmfest is hailed as the prelude to the Cinemalaya featuring up and coming films that will create some noise in various movie award-giving bodies in the coming months. This year, the 7 films represent some of filmdom’s freshest, brightest talents in features that capture the flavors and attitudes of modern Philippine life.

The seven movies vying for the P1 million cash prize are:

1. Alon by Ron Bryant

2. Dose by Senedy Que

3. Kolorete by Ruelo Lozendo

4. Imburnal by Sherad Anthony Sanchez

5. Motorcycle by Jon Red

6. UPCAT by Roman Carlo Olivares

7. Yanggaw by Richard Somes

The 7 finalists will be screened on November 18 to 27, 2008 at IndieSine in Robinsons Galleria in Ortigas. The Awards Night will be held on November 28, 2008 at the ABS-CBN’s Dolphy Theater.

This year’s judges are award-winning director Brillante “Dante” Mendoza (Serbis, Kaleldo, Manoro), award-winning comedienne-actress Eugene Domingo (Pisay, ITALY), film and TV director Jeffrey Jeturian (Bridal Shower, Kubrador), and Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino members Lito Zulueta and Grace Javier Alfonso.

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2008/11/01/2008-cinema-one-digital-film-festival-finalists/

Kolorete - Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival

“Kolorete” is an insightful and colorful indie movie vying for the 2008 Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival.

Kolorete is written by Sherad Anthony Sanchez and directed by Ruello Lozendo. The cast of Kolorete includes Roeder Camanag, Angeli Bayani, Perry Dizon, Jean Judith Javier, Frank Garcia, Coreen Chan, Chiqui Xeres Burgos, Lawrence Roxas and Edgar Sandalo

Synopsis: In the Spanish period, a town prepares for a stage play to serve as a despedida for the Alcalde Mayor or Gobernadorcillo who was dismissed by the town’s friar. Adding to the controversy is the visit of a Filipina soprano who is suspected to be an entourage of the incoming Alcalde Mayor. Suspicions arise but the secrets are inevitably unraveled. Everyone is taken aback when the play is finally staged.

Kolorete will have an advance screening on November 19 at 3:30 p.m. at the FEU Auditorium and on
November 24 at the College of Saint Benilde Amphitheater, 1:00 p.m. Regular screening is on December 3-10 at the Robinsons IndieSine.

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2008/11/20/kolorete-cinema-one-originals-digital-film-festival/

UPCAT - Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival

“UPCAT” is a coming of age film about dreams and self-discovery. It is one of the 7 finalists in this year’s Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival.

UPCAT is written by Alfred Geoffrey Reyes and directed by Roman Olivares. The cast includes Felix Roco, Joseph Roble, Hiyasmien Neri, Mark Gil, Bembol Roco, Malou Crisologo and Richard Cuan.

Synopsis: A coming-of-age light melodrama that centers around Lucas (Felix Roco) and best buddy Jaoquin (Joseph Roble), provincial lads who believe passing the UPCAT (University of the Philippines College Admission Test) is the passport to their dreams of a better future. However, Lucas is more concerned about winning the heart of his rich schoolmate Jane (Yas Neri).

UPCAT will have an advance screening on November 20 at the UP Film Center, 5pm and on November 25, at the Assumption College, 1:00 p.m. Regular screening will be on December 3-10 at the Robinsons IndieSine.

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2008/11/20/upcat-cinema-one-originals-digital-film-festival/

Alon - Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival

“Alon” reels off its beautiful drama with a wave of emotions for the 2008 Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival.

Alon is written and directed by Ron Bryant. It stars Mark Gil, Eula Valdez and Charee Pineda.

Synopsis: Vanni (Charee Pineda), a 17-year-old girl, spends her vacation in a seaside village. While looking for her lost puppy, she sees Fiel (Mark Gil), a lonesome 50-year-old man. Vanni decides to hang out in the man’s house and a fondness develops between them. However, he has an ailing wife afflicted with cancer.

It will have an advance screening on November 24 at the College of Saint Benilde Amphitheater at 6:00 p.m. and on November 25 at the Assumption College at 3:30 p.m.

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2008/11/20/alon-cinema-one-originals-digital-film-festival/