FOR us Filipinos, the month of December is made memorable by three things: Noche Buena; the 13th-month pay; and perhaps the most colorful of them all, the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
As if competing with the glittering lights and holiday decorations, MMFF has always had its fair
share of intrigues and controversies, matched only by its parade of stars onboard colorful floats.
It has become a tradition of sorts and one of showbizlandia’s most anticipated events, when most producers gamble their multi-million peso budgets in the hopes of drawing moviegoers eager to splurge some of their holiday cash.
“Big,” may just be the best word to describe the 2011 MMFF, with big casts, big production values, big controversies, big expectations and big promises.
The official entries include Enteng ng Ina Mo; Ang Panday 2; Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow; Segunda Mano; My Househusband; Shake, Rattle & Roll 13; and Manila Kingpin: Asiong Salonga Story. Each movie caters to a specific audience, effectively making the race to the top of the box office a close one.
Aside from box office receipts, the MMFF has also become one of the more prestigious award-giving institutions in the country, offering huge cash prizes to the winners.
The Best Picture receives P800,000, while the Second Best Picture and Third Best Picture gets P550,000 and P300,000, respectively. The winner of the Gatpuno Villegas Award on the other hand brings home P550,000.
The Best Actor, Actress, Director and Screenplay each get P100,000, while the Best Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Child Performer and technical winners win P50,000.
As new categories for this year’s festival; the Best Indie Film wins P100,000, while the Best Student Short film will earn their school P25,000.
In 2010, comedians Dolphy and Ai Ai delas Alas broke tradition and shocked the industry after winning Best Actor and Best Actress respectively; while delas Alas’ Ang Tanging Ina Mo (Last na ‘To!) brought home the most trophies, proving that even comedy films now pose threats in the award categories.
So if you’re planning to watch a movie—or two, or more—when the festival opens tomorrow, here’s a quick guide to help you choose which movie is worth lining up for.
* * *
The dark horse
MANILA KINGPIN: THE ASIONG SALONGA STORY
Cast: Gov. E.R. Ejercito; Carla Abellana, Valerie Concepcion, Philip Salvador, Baron Geisler, Ping Medina
Genre: Action
Director: Tikoy Aguiluz
Writer: Roy Iglesias and Rey Ventura
Tondo, Manila: The ancient Filipino gangland. From 1910 until the 1950s, gangwars were in, and a bloodbath of violence was the name of the game. Gangsters fearlessly carried Thompsons and grease guns in “bayongs,” and the police were just as tough, often resulting to bloody encounters. All dreaded hoodlums and notorious gang leaders dreamt to be king.
But one smart and slippery mobster rose to power and reigned as King. He was the youngest and the toughest public enemy Tondo has ever bred. He was feared respected and loved. A legendary Robin Hood and caring toughie during his time. His henchmen called him “Hito” or “Hitler.” Tondo remembers him by another name: Asiong Salonga.
A last minute replacement for Robin Padilla’s Mr. Wong, Kingpin has been considered the darkhorse both in the box office and awards categories. The movie’s online trailer has been the most viewed among all entries and has continued to receive rave reviews after its premiere night over the weekend.
According to Gov. Ejercito, this fourth retelling of Asiong’s life story is the most extensively researched version. It will also be shown in black and white to give the movie the look of the gangster films during Asiong’s era.
* * *
Comedy coup
ENTENG NG INA MO
Cast: Vic Sotto, Ai Ai delas Alas, Eugene Domingo, Bing Loyzaga, Aiza Seguerra, Amy Perez, Oyo Sotto, Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola, Marvin Agustin, Nikki Valdez, Xiriel Manabat, Carlo Aquino, Alwyn Uytingco, Yuuki Kadooka, Ruby Rodriguez
Genre: Comedy/ Fantasy
Director: Tony Reyes
Writer: Kriz Gazmen, Bibeth Orteza, Tony Reyes, Dano Mariquit
Since he married the fairy princess, all-around handyman Enteng Kabisote has become the perennial hero of Engkantasya. But after years of saving the fairy world, Enteng is now contemplating on retirement and wants to lead a normal life without the magical elements.
On the other hand, Ina Montecillo, mother of now grown-up children by different men, looks forward to finally meeting the right partner to spend the rest of her life with.
One day, the evil fairy Satana casts a spell on Enteng to make him fall in love with another woman so as to destroy his happy family life. Inevitably, Enteng and Ina’s paths cross. He then exerts all his efforts to make Ina fall for him, as Ina slowly opens her heart to a new opportunity of love.
They eventually fall for each other and Enteng tries his best to be a father to Ina’s children even if they are not fully supportive of him. But just when their relationship is turning serious, Ina discovers the truth that Enteng already has a family.
In 2010, the tandem of Vic Sotto and Bong Revilla in Si Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote ruled the box-office, with Ai Ai delas Alas’ Tanging Ina Last na ‘To. So it comes as no surprise that this pairing of Sotto and delas Alas is predicted to be the runaway box-office winner.
Expect tons of laughter when as these two comedic icons team up and their “reel” families cross paths.
* * *
Visual effects buffet
ANG PANDAY 2
Cast: Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Marian Rivera, Iza Calzado, Rhian Ramos, Philip Salvador, Eddie Garcia Genre: Fantasy/Action /Adventure
Director: Mac Alejandre
Writer: RJ Nuevas
The second book of Panday begins in the peaceful town of Matandang Kahoy where the blacksmith Flavio is busy preparing for his wedding to Maria.
Unfortunately, arch nemesis Lizardo returns to kidnap Maria, and drains her powers to increase his own. This sets off another quest for Flavio to save his ladylove and finally put an end to Lizardo’s reign of terror.
He encounters a lot of adventures along the way, fighting alongside friends and meeting new ones, such as Ariana who brings them to the world of Lamitanya where the Ragonas (human-dragons) live.
If the first Ang Panday movie, released in 2009, was heavy on special visual effects, the sequel aims to top that. Director Mac Alejandre said this movie is meant to be even bigger and better than the original.
Aside from its box office success, the original Panday also went home with a number of awards including Best Picture and Best Actor for Bong Revilla. With a bigger and bolder sequel to smash all box-office records, this high-budgeted movie promises to bring an extraordinary cinematic experience to the whole family, with many high-flying sequences mounted with grandeur, and equally presented with outstanding cinematography and musical scoring.\
* * *
Aiming for No. 2
SEGUNDA MANO
Cast: Kris Aquino, Dingdong Dantes, Angelica Panganiban
Genre: Horror
Director: Bb. Joyce Bernal
Writer: Joel Mercado
Mabel Domingo (Kris Aquino) is the owner of a high-class but creepy antique shop. All her life, Mabel carries a deep-seated guilt about her stepsister whose death Mabel feels responsible for. She longs to move on from the guilt of the tragedy that left their mother devastated.
Ivan Galvez (Dingdong Dantes) is a rich and successful architect recovering from the pain after his wife left him for another man. He longs to find new love and the right woman who will take care of his young daughter.
Mabel and Ivan’s paths soon cross and they eventually fall in love. But when Ivan proposes marriage, Mabel experiences chilling encounters with a violent ghost that wrecks havoc on her and the people around her. Terror instantly escalates and leads to an unexpected twist that will put Mabel’s love for Ivan to the perilous test.
Coming from three previous box-office horror films—Feng Shui, Sukob and Dalaw, Aquino promises her audience a totally different movie experience. She also guarantees that the climax of the movie is the “best 20 minutes of her movie career”—even staking her family name on the line just to prove how confident she is about the movie. She also praised Dantes’ best actor-worthy performance, even comparing him to Hollywood actor, Christian Bale.
Despite the hype, however, the Queen of All Media says she is only gunning for second place. “Ibinigay ko na ang No. 1 kay Ai Ai and Vic [Enteng ng Ina Mo] magpakatotoo na tayo. No. 2 na lang ang pinaglalabanan at sana, sa amin yun,” Kris said frankly.
* * *
A dose of reality
MY HOUSEHUSBAND: IKAW NA!
Cast: Judy Ann Santos, Ryan Agoncillo, Eugene Domingo
Genre: Comedy / Romance
Director: Jose Javier Reyes
Writer: Jose Javier Reyes, Mel del Rosario
Nothing prepared Rod (Ryan Agoncillo ) and Mia Alvarez (Judy Ann Santos) for the major changes that took place in their lives. Rod worked as a manager of a bank while Mia opted to remain a housewife taking care of their two children—Migo and Kaye—with an occasional sideline of selling insurance. For Rod, it is the role of the man to provide for his wife and children, in the same manner that there was a clear cut delineation as to the duties of a husband from that of the wife.
But when a larger bank merged with Rod’s employer, he found himself out of work. Overqualified in a scarce job market, Rod’s pride forbade him to reveal the truth immediately to his wife. Eventually, when he could not find employment, he had to agree to take care of the house and the two kids most especially after their trusted housekeeper had to leave for an emergency vacation.
In the process, Rod learns to do the housework—as he begins to adjust to a life of domestication, which he thought was unthinkable for a man like him. And as he learned the ropes in running the household, Mia’s career in selling insurance begins to blossom. Mia was surprised to find out that all the unfulfilled potential she had in her suddenly emerged for the appreciation of her bosses in the insurance company.
Trapped at home, Rod develops a close friendship with their next door neighbor named Aida (Eugene Domingo) who everybody knows is a kept woman and has begun to make Mia jealous.
In the tradition of Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo and Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo, real life couple Ryan Agoncillo and Judy Ann Santos promises to bring more to the table with this latest entry to the MMFF.
Director Jose Javier Reyes says Santos delivers a realistic performance that that no doubt stems from the fact that her leading man here is her husband. Their first movie together since tying the knot, the two bring on the silver screen a chemistry that is based on a genuine, if not intuitive, understanding and essay of their roles.
Although better known as a TV host, Agoncillo has also proven to be quite a versatile actor as well, and the last time he worked with Direk Joey, (Kutob), the former was nominated in the Best Supporting Actor category of the FAP Awards.
Finally, comedienne Eugene Domingo has been winning awards left and right for five years in a row now. More, she is one of few actresses—if not the only one—in the Philippine entertainment history to have participated in six films produced by eight different Filipino production companies within a year. To say that she is great at what she does and is one of the most in-demand actresses these days is an understatement.
With the stellar acting prowess of its talents in and the very relatable story of My Househusband: Ikaw Na! the movie is expected to fare very well both in the box-office and during the awards night.
* * *
End of an era
SHAKE, RATTLE & ROLL 13
Director: Chris Martinez, Jerrold Tarog, Richard Somes
Genre: Horror
Cast:
“Rain, Rain Go Away”: Eugene Domingo, Jay Manalo, Edgar Allan Guzman, Boots Anson Roa
“Tamawo”: Zanjoe Marudo, Maricar Reyes, Bugoy Cariño, Celia Rodriguez and introducing Ervic Vijandre
“Parola”: Kathryn Bernardo, Louise de los Reyes, Sam Concepcion, Hiro Magalona, Dimples Romana, Ina Raymundo, Ara Mina
The Shake, Rattle and Roll movies have become a tradition much like the MMFF for teenage viewers looking for some scares during the Christmas season. And as the final installment in the longest running franchise in festival history, the producers of SRR has gone all out in terms of budget, effects and storylines that again plays with the Filipino psyche of belief in the supernatural.
The “Rain, Rain Go Away” episode revolves around our fear of floods and disaster that is caused by typhoons in our country. It will play on the fear that everyone feels every time there is a rain, the fear that a flood will occur and will take people’s lives.
As the director described this film, it is a revenge story. It is about guilt; about a sin that one could not run away from.
The “Tamawo” (Ilonggo word for “Maligno”) episode deals with a man named Alan who brings his family (wife and a stepson) to a provincial ranch, which was taken care of previously by his uncle who died a mysterious death. There in the ranch, the family experienced encounters with supernatural creatures.
The story of Parola on the other hand revolves inside a lighthouse that a group of friends visited. It must have been a hunted lighthouse, where most of the horror events for this episode happened.
* * *
Casting Coup
Yesterday, Today Tomorrow
Genre: Drama
Cast: Maricel Soriano, Gabby Concepcion, Ronaldo Valdez, Agot Isidro, Jericho Rosales, Lovi Poe, Dennis Trillo, Carla Abellana, Paulo Avelino, Solenn Heussaff, Eula Caballero.
Director: Jun Lana
Yesterday Today Tomorrow tells three different stories of love, family, passion and loss after a tragedy.
The film offers a peek at the lives and complicated relationships of several couples—the wheelchair bound Ronaldo Valdez and wife, Agot Isidro (who is having an affair with Dennis Trillo); Maricel Soriano and ex-husband Gabby Concepcion (but has a new wife Carla Abellana); Jericho Rosales and Lovi Poe; and Solenn Heussaff who wants to split with boyfriend, Paulo Avelino and attracted to her gym instructor who Dennis Trillo. After a big earthquake that literally shakes up their relationships, secrets are finally discovered, confessions are made and relationships are put to the ultimate test.
A powerhouse cast, a glossy material, riveting performances—these are just some of the movie’s strongest points, and as the only pure drama in this year’s festival, expect its cast to be in the running for the top acting honors come awards night.
As if competing with the glittering lights and holiday decorations, MMFF has always had its fair
share of intrigues and controversies, matched only by its parade of stars onboard colorful floats.
It has become a tradition of sorts and one of showbizlandia’s most anticipated events, when most producers gamble their multi-million peso budgets in the hopes of drawing moviegoers eager to splurge some of their holiday cash.
“Big,” may just be the best word to describe the 2011 MMFF, with big casts, big production values, big controversies, big expectations and big promises.
The official entries include Enteng ng Ina Mo; Ang Panday 2; Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow; Segunda Mano; My Househusband; Shake, Rattle & Roll 13; and Manila Kingpin: Asiong Salonga Story. Each movie caters to a specific audience, effectively making the race to the top of the box office a close one.
Aside from box office receipts, the MMFF has also become one of the more prestigious award-giving institutions in the country, offering huge cash prizes to the winners.
The Best Picture receives P800,000, while the Second Best Picture and Third Best Picture gets P550,000 and P300,000, respectively. The winner of the Gatpuno Villegas Award on the other hand brings home P550,000.
The Best Actor, Actress, Director and Screenplay each get P100,000, while the Best Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Child Performer and technical winners win P50,000.
As new categories for this year’s festival; the Best Indie Film wins P100,000, while the Best Student Short film will earn their school P25,000.
In 2010, comedians Dolphy and Ai Ai delas Alas broke tradition and shocked the industry after winning Best Actor and Best Actress respectively; while delas Alas’ Ang Tanging Ina Mo (Last na ‘To!) brought home the most trophies, proving that even comedy films now pose threats in the award categories.
So if you’re planning to watch a movie—or two, or more—when the festival opens tomorrow, here’s a quick guide to help you choose which movie is worth lining up for.
* * *
The dark horse
MANILA KINGPIN: THE ASIONG SALONGA STORY
Cast: Gov. E.R. Ejercito; Carla Abellana, Valerie Concepcion, Philip Salvador, Baron Geisler, Ping Medina
Genre: Action
Director: Tikoy Aguiluz
Writer: Roy Iglesias and Rey Ventura
Tondo, Manila: The ancient Filipino gangland. From 1910 until the 1950s, gangwars were in, and a bloodbath of violence was the name of the game. Gangsters fearlessly carried Thompsons and grease guns in “bayongs,” and the police were just as tough, often resulting to bloody encounters. All dreaded hoodlums and notorious gang leaders dreamt to be king.
But one smart and slippery mobster rose to power and reigned as King. He was the youngest and the toughest public enemy Tondo has ever bred. He was feared respected and loved. A legendary Robin Hood and caring toughie during his time. His henchmen called him “Hito” or “Hitler.” Tondo remembers him by another name: Asiong Salonga.
A last minute replacement for Robin Padilla’s Mr. Wong, Kingpin has been considered the darkhorse both in the box office and awards categories. The movie’s online trailer has been the most viewed among all entries and has continued to receive rave reviews after its premiere night over the weekend.
According to Gov. Ejercito, this fourth retelling of Asiong’s life story is the most extensively researched version. It will also be shown in black and white to give the movie the look of the gangster films during Asiong’s era.
* * *
Comedy coup
ENTENG NG INA MO
Cast: Vic Sotto, Ai Ai delas Alas, Eugene Domingo, Bing Loyzaga, Aiza Seguerra, Amy Perez, Oyo Sotto, Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola, Marvin Agustin, Nikki Valdez, Xiriel Manabat, Carlo Aquino, Alwyn Uytingco, Yuuki Kadooka, Ruby Rodriguez
Genre: Comedy/ Fantasy
Director: Tony Reyes
Writer: Kriz Gazmen, Bibeth Orteza, Tony Reyes, Dano Mariquit
Since he married the fairy princess, all-around handyman Enteng Kabisote has become the perennial hero of Engkantasya. But after years of saving the fairy world, Enteng is now contemplating on retirement and wants to lead a normal life without the magical elements.
On the other hand, Ina Montecillo, mother of now grown-up children by different men, looks forward to finally meeting the right partner to spend the rest of her life with.
One day, the evil fairy Satana casts a spell on Enteng to make him fall in love with another woman so as to destroy his happy family life. Inevitably, Enteng and Ina’s paths cross. He then exerts all his efforts to make Ina fall for him, as Ina slowly opens her heart to a new opportunity of love.
They eventually fall for each other and Enteng tries his best to be a father to Ina’s children even if they are not fully supportive of him. But just when their relationship is turning serious, Ina discovers the truth that Enteng already has a family.
In 2010, the tandem of Vic Sotto and Bong Revilla in Si Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote ruled the box-office, with Ai Ai delas Alas’ Tanging Ina Last na ‘To. So it comes as no surprise that this pairing of Sotto and delas Alas is predicted to be the runaway box-office winner.
Expect tons of laughter when as these two comedic icons team up and their “reel” families cross paths.
* * *
Visual effects buffet
ANG PANDAY 2
Cast: Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Marian Rivera, Iza Calzado, Rhian Ramos, Philip Salvador, Eddie Garcia Genre: Fantasy/Action /Adventure
Director: Mac Alejandre
Writer: RJ Nuevas
The second book of Panday begins in the peaceful town of Matandang Kahoy where the blacksmith Flavio is busy preparing for his wedding to Maria.
Unfortunately, arch nemesis Lizardo returns to kidnap Maria, and drains her powers to increase his own. This sets off another quest for Flavio to save his ladylove and finally put an end to Lizardo’s reign of terror.
He encounters a lot of adventures along the way, fighting alongside friends and meeting new ones, such as Ariana who brings them to the world of Lamitanya where the Ragonas (human-dragons) live.
If the first Ang Panday movie, released in 2009, was heavy on special visual effects, the sequel aims to top that. Director Mac Alejandre said this movie is meant to be even bigger and better than the original.
Aside from its box office success, the original Panday also went home with a number of awards including Best Picture and Best Actor for Bong Revilla. With a bigger and bolder sequel to smash all box-office records, this high-budgeted movie promises to bring an extraordinary cinematic experience to the whole family, with many high-flying sequences mounted with grandeur, and equally presented with outstanding cinematography and musical scoring.\
* * *
Aiming for No. 2
SEGUNDA MANO
Cast: Kris Aquino, Dingdong Dantes, Angelica Panganiban
Genre: Horror
Director: Bb. Joyce Bernal
Writer: Joel Mercado
Mabel Domingo (Kris Aquino) is the owner of a high-class but creepy antique shop. All her life, Mabel carries a deep-seated guilt about her stepsister whose death Mabel feels responsible for. She longs to move on from the guilt of the tragedy that left their mother devastated.
Ivan Galvez (Dingdong Dantes) is a rich and successful architect recovering from the pain after his wife left him for another man. He longs to find new love and the right woman who will take care of his young daughter.
Mabel and Ivan’s paths soon cross and they eventually fall in love. But when Ivan proposes marriage, Mabel experiences chilling encounters with a violent ghost that wrecks havoc on her and the people around her. Terror instantly escalates and leads to an unexpected twist that will put Mabel’s love for Ivan to the perilous test.
Coming from three previous box-office horror films—Feng Shui, Sukob and Dalaw, Aquino promises her audience a totally different movie experience. She also guarantees that the climax of the movie is the “best 20 minutes of her movie career”—even staking her family name on the line just to prove how confident she is about the movie. She also praised Dantes’ best actor-worthy performance, even comparing him to Hollywood actor, Christian Bale.
Despite the hype, however, the Queen of All Media says she is only gunning for second place. “Ibinigay ko na ang No. 1 kay Ai Ai and Vic [Enteng ng Ina Mo] magpakatotoo na tayo. No. 2 na lang ang pinaglalabanan at sana, sa amin yun,” Kris said frankly.
* * *
A dose of reality
MY HOUSEHUSBAND: IKAW NA!
Cast: Judy Ann Santos, Ryan Agoncillo, Eugene Domingo
Genre: Comedy / Romance
Director: Jose Javier Reyes
Writer: Jose Javier Reyes, Mel del Rosario
Nothing prepared Rod (Ryan Agoncillo ) and Mia Alvarez (Judy Ann Santos) for the major changes that took place in their lives. Rod worked as a manager of a bank while Mia opted to remain a housewife taking care of their two children—Migo and Kaye—with an occasional sideline of selling insurance. For Rod, it is the role of the man to provide for his wife and children, in the same manner that there was a clear cut delineation as to the duties of a husband from that of the wife.
But when a larger bank merged with Rod’s employer, he found himself out of work. Overqualified in a scarce job market, Rod’s pride forbade him to reveal the truth immediately to his wife. Eventually, when he could not find employment, he had to agree to take care of the house and the two kids most especially after their trusted housekeeper had to leave for an emergency vacation.
In the process, Rod learns to do the housework—as he begins to adjust to a life of domestication, which he thought was unthinkable for a man like him. And as he learned the ropes in running the household, Mia’s career in selling insurance begins to blossom. Mia was surprised to find out that all the unfulfilled potential she had in her suddenly emerged for the appreciation of her bosses in the insurance company.
Trapped at home, Rod develops a close friendship with their next door neighbor named Aida (Eugene Domingo) who everybody knows is a kept woman and has begun to make Mia jealous.
In the tradition of Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo and Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo, real life couple Ryan Agoncillo and Judy Ann Santos promises to bring more to the table with this latest entry to the MMFF.
Director Jose Javier Reyes says Santos delivers a realistic performance that that no doubt stems from the fact that her leading man here is her husband. Their first movie together since tying the knot, the two bring on the silver screen a chemistry that is based on a genuine, if not intuitive, understanding and essay of their roles.
Although better known as a TV host, Agoncillo has also proven to be quite a versatile actor as well, and the last time he worked with Direk Joey, (Kutob), the former was nominated in the Best Supporting Actor category of the FAP Awards.
Finally, comedienne Eugene Domingo has been winning awards left and right for five years in a row now. More, she is one of few actresses—if not the only one—in the Philippine entertainment history to have participated in six films produced by eight different Filipino production companies within a year. To say that she is great at what she does and is one of the most in-demand actresses these days is an understatement.
With the stellar acting prowess of its talents in and the very relatable story of My Househusband: Ikaw Na! the movie is expected to fare very well both in the box-office and during the awards night.
* * *
End of an era
SHAKE, RATTLE & ROLL 13
Director: Chris Martinez, Jerrold Tarog, Richard Somes
Genre: Horror
Cast:
“Rain, Rain Go Away”: Eugene Domingo, Jay Manalo, Edgar Allan Guzman, Boots Anson Roa
“Tamawo”: Zanjoe Marudo, Maricar Reyes, Bugoy Cariño, Celia Rodriguez and introducing Ervic Vijandre
“Parola”: Kathryn Bernardo, Louise de los Reyes, Sam Concepcion, Hiro Magalona, Dimples Romana, Ina Raymundo, Ara Mina
The Shake, Rattle and Roll movies have become a tradition much like the MMFF for teenage viewers looking for some scares during the Christmas season. And as the final installment in the longest running franchise in festival history, the producers of SRR has gone all out in terms of budget, effects and storylines that again plays with the Filipino psyche of belief in the supernatural.
The “Rain, Rain Go Away” episode revolves around our fear of floods and disaster that is caused by typhoons in our country. It will play on the fear that everyone feels every time there is a rain, the fear that a flood will occur and will take people’s lives.
As the director described this film, it is a revenge story. It is about guilt; about a sin that one could not run away from.
The “Tamawo” (Ilonggo word for “Maligno”) episode deals with a man named Alan who brings his family (wife and a stepson) to a provincial ranch, which was taken care of previously by his uncle who died a mysterious death. There in the ranch, the family experienced encounters with supernatural creatures.
The story of Parola on the other hand revolves inside a lighthouse that a group of friends visited. It must have been a hunted lighthouse, where most of the horror events for this episode happened.
* * *
Casting Coup
Yesterday, Today Tomorrow
Genre: Drama
Cast: Maricel Soriano, Gabby Concepcion, Ronaldo Valdez, Agot Isidro, Jericho Rosales, Lovi Poe, Dennis Trillo, Carla Abellana, Paulo Avelino, Solenn Heussaff, Eula Caballero.
Director: Jun Lana
Yesterday Today Tomorrow tells three different stories of love, family, passion and loss after a tragedy.
The film offers a peek at the lives and complicated relationships of several couples—the wheelchair bound Ronaldo Valdez and wife, Agot Isidro (who is having an affair with Dennis Trillo); Maricel Soriano and ex-husband Gabby Concepcion (but has a new wife Carla Abellana); Jericho Rosales and Lovi Poe; and Solenn Heussaff who wants to split with boyfriend, Paulo Avelino and attracted to her gym instructor who Dennis Trillo. After a big earthquake that literally shakes up their relationships, secrets are finally discovered, confessions are made and relationships are put to the ultimate test.
A powerhouse cast, a glossy material, riveting performances—these are just some of the movie’s strongest points, and as the only pure drama in this year’s festival, expect its cast to be in the running for the top acting honors come awards night.
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