2023 Manila International Film Festival Launch held at the Directors Guild Of America in West Hollywood, CA on Thursday, November 2, 2023. (Photo By Sthanlee B. Mirador/Sipa USA)

Manila International Film Festival Launched in Hollywood

BY JANET SUSAN R. NEPALES

The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) goes to Hollywood with the recent launch of the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) in Los Angeles.

Launched in grand Hollywood style, the event was attended by top Hollywood and Fil-Am celebrities, actors, and filmmakers.

The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), whose ten entries this December will premiere at the MIFF from January 29 to February 2, was represented by its overall chairman, Atty. Romando “Don” Artes, and executive director, Atty. Rochelle “Che” Ona.

The actors and filmmakers of the three films from the Philippines that were screened at the launch graced the elegant launch party: Romnick Sarmenta, director Jun Robles Lana, and producer Perci Intalan (“About Us But Not About Us”), Enchong Dee and Kaladkaren (“Here Comes the Groom”) and Eisel Serrano and director JP Habac (“Love You Long Time”).

Filipino American and Hollywood talents came out in full force: Tia Carrere, Jon Jon Briones, Megan and Teo Briones, Reggie Lee, Carlin James, JB Tadena, Bryan Geli, Zedrick Restauro, Jay R and Mica Javier, Sam Morelos, John Savage (“Salvador,” and “The Deer Hunter”), Peter Kwong (“Big Trouble in Little China” and “The Golden Child”), Inigo Pascual and Giji Kocher (Djhoanna Garcia), the Basco Siblings (Arianna, Derek, and Darion), Giovannie Espiritu, Tootsie Guevarra, and Bianca Catbagan.

Director Marie Jamora (“The Cleaning Lady,” “Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies,” “Fantasy Island,” “Fire Country,” and “The Resident”) delivered remarks on behalf of the FilAm entertainment community.

As part of the MIFF launch, a breakfast meeting took place at The London West Hollywood Hotel with the visiting Manila-based directors Jun Robles Lana, JP Habac, and Perci Intalan, and the Filipino American filmmakers Marie Jamora, David Maquiling, Francis de la Torre, and Anthony Francisco.

Also joining the early morning powwow were MMFF overall chairman, Atty. Artes, executive director, Atty. Ona, and producer Karishma Gidwani.

Fil-Am publicist Winston Emano organized the breakfast gathering on behalf of MIFF. It’s part of the MIFF’s goal to open communications between the Philippines and Hollywood, hopefully providing opportunities for collaborations among the creatives.

The fest plans to organize more meetings and interactions between Manila and Hollywood filmmakers, actors, producers, and other talents.

At the press conference and the launch of the MIFF, actress Hilda Koronel was announced as the first recipient of the MIFF’s inaugural Monty Manibog Lifetime Achievement Award.

Named after the late Manibog, the first Filipino American to become an elected official in Southern California and the first Fil-Am mayor in the continental United States, a humanitarian, lawyer, and an Olympian, the award honors Koronel, one of the Philippines’ finest actresses.

Koronel, who graced the launch of the MIFF, will formally receive the award on the closing night of the MIFF on February 2.

In his remarks announcing Koronel as the MIFF’s first honoree, Omen Ortiz, the festival’s chairman, said, “On behalf of the Manila International Film Festival or MIFF, I’d like to announce that we are giving the first Monty Manibog Lifetime Achievement Award to an outstanding Filipino talent in entertainment.

“But first of all, I will elaborate on why we are naming the award after the late Monty Manibog. In 1976, Monty Manibog became the first Filipino American to become an elected official (and it was a landslide) in Southern California when he won a seat on the Monterey Park City Council. He also made history as the first Fil-Am mayor in the continental United States.

“Monty was an Olympic wrestler who competed in the 1952 Summer Olympics. He was a pioneering lawyer who became the first Filipino American to pass the California bar exam. He was a great humanitarian, helping thousands of our kababayan. I am so proud to say I am one of those lucky ones. , Uncle Monty, wherever you are.

“Today, again on behalf of the MIFF, we are announcing Hilda Koronel as the recipient of the first Monty Manibog Lifetime Achievement Award. She is one of the greatest actresses of the Philippines. She has captured our hearts not only because of her beauty but also because of the tremendous acting talent and range that she displayed in many films.

“She starred in Lino Brocka’s classics ‘Maynila: Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag’ which won six FAMAS awards in 1976, and ‘Insiang’ which won both the FAMAS and Gawad Urian Awards in 1977. ‘Insiang’ was also the first Philippine film to be shown at the Cannes Film Festival. She was also the first Filipina actress to make a splash at that prestigious film festival.”

Koronel received a bouquet from MIFF Executive Producer Lisa Lew.

Another highlight of the launch at the DGA was a screening of three films chosen from the eight entries in the inaugural summer edition of MMFF (Metro Manila Summer Film Festival – MMSFF) held last April in the Philippines.

These well-received films were Chris Martinez’s “Here Comes the Groom,” JP Habac Jr.’s “Love You Long Time,” and Jun Robles Lana’s “About Us But Not About Us.”

The ten entries in the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival this December that will debut in Los Angeles on January 29, 30 and 31 and February 1 and 2, 2024 are:

• Jun Robles Lana’s “Becky and Badette,” starring Eugene Domingo and Pokwang
• Lemuel Lorca’s “Broken Heart’s Trip,” starring Christian Bables and Andoy Ranay
• Nuel Naval’s “Family of Two,” starring Sharon Cuneta and Alden Richards
• Zig Madamba Dulay’s “Firefly,” starring Alessandra De Rossi, Euwenn Mikaell Aleta and Dingdong Dantes
• Pepe Diokno’s “GomBurZa,” starring Enchong Dee, Dante Rivero, Piolo Pascual and Cedrick Juan
• King Palisoc’s “(K)Ampon,” starring Beauty Gonzalez and Derek Ramsay
• Derick Cabrido’s “Mallari,” starring Piolo Pascual and Janella Salvador
• Jason Paul Laxamana’s “Penduko,” starring Matteo Guidicelli and Cristine Reyes
• Mae Czarina Cruz’s “Rewind,” starring Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes
• Conrado Peru, Rommel Penesa and Christopher de Leon’s “When I Met You in Tokyo,” starring Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon

With this lineup of star-studded MMFF entries, the MIFF in LA promises to be very exciting.

The MIFF founders are Omen Ortiz, chairman; Ebradu Udarbe, president; Lisa Lew, executive producer; Ruben Nepales and Janet Nepales, media relations consultants; and Celia Abaya Dy, ticketing manager. Also on the MIFF team are Leo Dela Cruz, chief financial officer; Erickson Ilog, chief operations officer; Ron Ramores, chief marketing officer; Cindy Sison, consultant; and Meriden Angeles, coordinating producer.