{"id":6236,"date":"2024-02-14T08:27:12","date_gmt":"2024-02-14T16:27:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chiccompass.com\/?p=6236"},"modified":"2026-08-30T20:49:52","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T03:49:52","slug":"manila-international-film-festival-launched-in-hollywood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chiccompass.com\/wordpress\/manila-international-film-festival-launched-in-hollywood\/","title":{"rendered":"Manila International Film Festival Launched in Hollywood"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Chic<\/span><\/div>
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This article was printed in<\/em>
\nChic Compass Magazine - Issue 17<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>

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\"Above:<\/span><\/div><\/div>

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)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Manila International Film Festival Launched in Hollywood<\/h1>\n

BY JANET SUSAN R. NEPALES<\/p>\n<\/div>

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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.<\/p>\n

Launched in grand Hollywood style, the event was attended by top Hollywood and Fil-Am celebrities, actors, and filmmakers.<\/p>\n

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 \u201cDon\u201d Artes, and executive director, Atty. Rochelle \u201cChe\u201d Ona.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Above:<\/span><\/div><\/div>

2023 Manila International Film Festival Launch. (Photo By Sthanlee B. Mirador\/Sipa USA)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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 (\u201cAbout Us But Not About Us\u201d), Enchong Dee and Kaladkaren (\u201cHere Comes the Groom\u201d) and Eisel Serrano and director JP Habac (\u201cLove You Long Time\u201d).<\/p>\n

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 (\u201cSalvador,\u201d and \u201cThe Deer Hunter\u201d), Peter Kwong (\u201cBig Trouble in Little China\u201d and \u201cThe Golden Child\u201d), Inigo Pascual and Giji Kocher (Djhoanna Garcia), the Basco Siblings (Arianna, Derek, and Darion), Giovannie Espiritu, Tootsie Guevarra, and Bianca Catbagan.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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(L-R) Actors Zedrick Restauro, Carlin James, Reggie Lee, Bryan Geli and JB Tadena at the 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)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

\"MIFF<\/span><\/div><\/div>

MIFF Executive Producer Lisa Lew and Hilda Koronel at the 2023 Manila International Film Festival Launch. (Photo By Sthanlee B. Mirador\/Sipa USA)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

\"(L-R)<\/span><\/div><\/div>

(L-R) Jun Robles Lana and Romnick Sarmenta at the 2023 Manila International Film Festival Launch (Photo By Sthanlee B. Mirador\/Sipa USA)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

Director Marie Jamora (\u201cThe Cleaning Lady,\u201d \u201cGrease: Rise of the Pink Ladies,\u201d \u201cFantasy Island,\u201d \u201cFire Country,\u201d and \u201cThe Resident\u201d) delivered remarks on behalf of the FilAm entertainment community.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Also joining the early morning powwow were MMFF overall chairman, Atty. Artes, executive director, Atty. Ona, and producer Karishma Gidwani.<\/p>\n

Fil-Am publicist Winston Emano organized the breakfast gathering on behalf of MIFF. It\u2019s part of the MIFF\u2019s goal to open communications between the Philippines and Hollywood, hopefully providing opportunities for collaborations among the creatives.<\/p>\n

The fest plans to organize more meetings and interactions between Manila and Hollywood filmmakers, actors, producers, and other talents.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"(L-R)<\/span><\/div><\/div>

(L-R) Teo Briones and Jon Jon Briones at the 2023 Manila International Film Festival Launch. (Photo By Sthanlee B. Mirador\/Sipa USA)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

\"MMFF<\/span><\/div><\/div>

MMFF Executive Director Atty. Rochelle Ona at the 2023 Manila International Film Festival Launch. (Photo By Sthanlee B. Mirador\/Sipa USA)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Sam<\/span><\/div><\/div>

Sam Morelos arrives at the 2023 Manila International Film Festival Launch. (Photo By Sthanlee B. Mirador\/Sipa USA)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Peter<\/span><\/div><\/div>

Peter Kwong arrives at the 2023 Manila International Film Festival Launch held at the Directors Guild Of America. (Photo By Sthanlee B. Mirador\/Sipa USA)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

At the press conference and the launch of the MIFF, actress Hilda Koronel was announced as the first recipient of the MIFF\u2019s inaugural Monty Manibog Lifetime Achievement Award.<\/p>\n

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\u2019 finest actresses.<\/p>\n

Koronel, who graced the launch of the MIFF, will formally receive the award on the closing night of the MIFF on February 2.<\/p>\n

In his remarks announcing Koronel as the MIFF\u2019s first honoree, Omen Ortiz, the festival\u2019s chairman, said, \u201cOn behalf of the Manila International Film Festival or MIFF, I\u2019d like to announce that we are giving the first Monty Manibog Lifetime Achievement Award to an outstanding Filipino talent in entertainment.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cMonty 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday, 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe starred in Lino Brocka\u2019s classics \u2018Maynila: Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag\u2019 which won six FAMAS awards in 1976, and \u2018Insiang\u2019 which won both the FAMAS and Gawad Urian Awards in 1977. \u2018Insiang\u2019 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Koronel received a bouquet from MIFF Executive Producer Lisa Lew.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"(L-R)<\/span><\/div><\/div>

(L-R) KaladKaren and Tia Carrere at the 2023 Manila International Film Festival Launch. (Photo By Sthanlee B. Mirador\/Sipa USA)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

\"(L-R)<\/span><\/div><\/div>

(L-R) Eisel Serrano and JP Habac Jr. at the 2023 Manila International Film Festival Launch. (Photo By Sthanlee B. Mirador\/Sipa USA)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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 \u2013 MMSFF) held last April in the Philippines.<\/p>\n

These well-received films were Chris Martinez\u2019s \u201cHere Comes the Groom,\u201d JP Habac Jr.\u2019s \u201cLove You Long Time,\u201d and Jun Robles Lana\u2019s \u201cAbout Us But Not About Us.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Here<\/span><\/div><\/div>

Here Comes the Groom<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Love<\/span><\/div><\/div>

Love You Long Time<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

\"About<\/span><\/div><\/div>

About Us But Not About Us<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Manila<\/span><\/div><\/div>

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:<\/p>\n