Vince and Kath and James

One of the entries in MMFF 2016, Vince & Kath & James a teen love story starring Julia Barreto, Joshua Garcia and Ronnie Alonte. Directed by Theodore Boborol and produced by ABS-CBN Films Productions.

A story of Kath (Julia Barreto), a popular girl in the campus who's just not a pretty face but also have brains. Everyone admire her, and winning a campus pageant made her even more popular. This catches the attention of the two cousins Vince ( Joshua Garcia) and James ( Ronnie Alonte) that both have secret crush on Kath. These two have opposite personalities, Vince the good boy and James the varsity player.

In order to get notice by Kath, James pursued Vince to be his bridge to her through text because he knew Kath only replies to Vince. And Vince agreed to his cousin unwillingly. Then, he texted Kath first while not revealing his true identity. Kath on the other hand has no intention to reply during that time because she's busy with her brother who's having a circumcision. Mistakenly, she sent a message asking about her brother to Vince's number. From then, the two cousins, grab this opportunity to have a text conversations with her. And so the texts continues between Kath and Vince who is pretending to be James.

After a long time, James told his cousin that he is ready to meet Kath personally. This broke Vince's heart. Sacrificing his own feeling to the girl he have been texting for James. At the end, Kath and James end up meeting each other, leaving Vince alone and sad.

The usual story of two guys having feelings on the same girl but only one can win her heart. The real love here, is where Vince sacrifices for his cousin, showing that love for a family member still exists and can't be compared. Blood is thicker than water indeed.

Seklusyon

Seklusyon a horror film entry in MMFF 2016, starring Ronnie Alonte, Phoebe Walker, Rhed Bustamante, Dominic Roque, Lou Veloso and Neil Ryan Sese. Directed by Erik Matti under the production of Reality Entertainment released last December 25, 2016.

A story way back in year 1947, a girl with a miraculous healing powers named by Anghela Sta. Ana (Rhed Bustamante) caught the eyes of a curious priest, Padre Ricardo ( Neil Ryan Sese) and he starts to investigate about her and her assistant, Sister Cecilia. And then an accident happened that put the life of Anghela in danger. So the bishop decided to moved them in a secluded church and Padre Ricardo followed them as well. The church was taken care by Sandoval ( Lou Veloso) an excommunicated priest.

In that same place, a four aspiring priests Miguel ( Ronnie Alonte) , Fabian ( Dominic Roque), Marco (John Vic de Guzman) and Carlo (JR Versales) is undertaking a seclusion ritual for seven days, a final step in becoming a priest. The mystery starts as Anghela showed her miraculous works to those present in that place. They begun experiencing evil tempting them.

On the other hand, Padre Ricardo discovered the real identity of Sister Cecilia, a rape victim before and Anghela being an orphan, originally her name is Ngahela which means a devil reincarnate. He immediately went to the bishop to reveal his finding unfortunately Sandoval killed the bishop and they proceeded to stop Anghela. Arriving to the secluded church, Padre Ricardo confronts Anghela but he was burned to death. Miguel witnessing everything, he took Anghela to a room where she revealed everything and her evil intentions. And finding out that Anghela is the daughter of Miguel and her ex lover Erina. Then surprisingly, Miguel stabbed the girl and left. The other three aspiring priest was ordained and blessed by the devil pretending to be the bishop.

This story is a revelation of being a horror movie itself, no need for exaggerated visual effects or whatsoever . It will give you goosebumps and make you scream as well. Depicting that miracles way back then are not that easy to believe and needed to be proven first which can be apply in some cases in the present time.

Sunday Beauty Queen

Sunday Beauty Queen, a documentary movie about Overseas Filipino Workers in Hong Kong getting together for a yearly beauty pageant. This was directed by Baby Ruth Villarama and produced by Voyage Studios.

The movie showed behind the scenes of the candidates of an annual beauty pageant held at Hong Kong. Each stories depicts the sacrifices of every domestic helper just to provide for their family left in the Philippines. A scene from Hazel Perdido, a domestic helper for 8 years, watched the graduation of her daughter through video call. Longing to be present on that important event for her daughter. A heartfelt stories of these modern heroes that the citizens of Hong Kong are grateful for.

It captures the reality of the OFWs, that despite of their hardships and busy work days, they find a time for themselves. Every Sunday of the week, they leave their employers and give time for themselves to enjoy and be free. That's why they ended up having a annual event, where they have programs and beauty pageant just like back home. It is a time where they showcase their talents and beauty.

A movie of reality and simply being. It fascinates viewers of how OFWs can be positive and find a way to enjoy despite the fact that their away from their loved ones. Salute to all OFW's out there, our modern heroes.

Saving Sally

One of the few 2D animation film created and produced by Pinoys, a love story of two geeks played by Rhian Ramos as Sally and Enzo Marcos as Marty. Directed by Avid Liongoren under Rocketsheep Productions. Included in the MMFF 2016 released last December 25, 2016.

It started when Marty, an imaginative, aspiring comic book artist,and a school geek met Sally, an amateur inventor who saved him from being bullied in high school. Since then, they have become best friends. They shared creative ideas and both artistic. As the time passes by, Marty started to fall in love with Sally. He started to create comic story using her as an inspiration. Marty noticed that Sally's adoptive parents is strict to her and he suspects that they're abusing her because of the unlikely bruises she gets.

After the two graduated from high school, they decided to apply on the same College taking Fine Arts. Unfortunately, Sally was on the waiting list applicants while Marty was accepted. Then, Sally had a boyfriend breaking Marty's heart. As he continue his comic story, he keep on imagining Sally's boyfriend being a dickhead and even included it in his story. Another challenge is how Sally can be saved from her strict parents. They sneaked her out just to spend time together and have fun. Then one day, Sally and her boyfriend broken up because he was caught cheating. Sally went to Marty's house and there she discovered a secret drawings of her. Marty admitted his love to her but she rejected him. He became depressed and gave Sally a comic book with sad content.

The two best friends separated lives after that accident as they entered college. They can see each other some time in their campus. Both had their own relationships but failed in the end. Sally realizing that overtime he have feelings for Marty. She sent him a pop-out book showing their adventures together to make Marty happy again. And that moment, Marty took courage to confront Sally in her house. On his way there he overheard that Sally is being abuse by her parents. He came knocking the door and pulled Sally out of their house. Then Sally brought him to this 'secret project' she have been doing for a long time, a secret hide out where she can live from now on. The two graduated from college and became a couple.

It's a simple yet imaginative movie. The animation is incredible and kudos to the producers and director, because of their persistence and commitment after a decade the movie was finished. The special effects and sounds are superb as well. I can say that this movie can compete internationally. And best part is, it a movie for all ages.

Oro

Oro, another independent movie based on a true story of the murder case of four miners in Gata, Caramoan, Camarines Sur by Sagip Kalikasan Task force last 2014. The movie was starred by Irma Adlawan (awarded as Best Actress) , Mercedes Cabral and Joem Bascon. One of the entries in MMFF 2016 released last December 25, 2016. Directed by Alvin Yapan and produced by Feliz Film Productions.

The story begin in a simple life of gold miners making a living. Elmer, played by Joem Bascon, a former rebel finding way to change his way of life, joins and works hard to earn more, so that he can marry her girlfriend Letty (Sue Prado). And then an armed group claiming to be an environment task force sent by the government arrived in their peaceful village and making all miners to stop their work because it destroys nature. The captain of the village played by Irma Adlawan claims that her people are not doing something wrong, they're just simply making a living. The armed task force are immovable, they threatened the villagers and ended up killing 4 miners. They villagers were alarmed and afraid, not knowing what to do and how they can fight against the armed group to attain justice of their fellow miners.

The movie showed the injustice occurred to the miners in Gata, Camarines Sur. That some groups abuses the power and privilege given to them by the government in order to destroy other people's life. Whatever their motives is, it portrays how a human being can be violent in order to gain more for themselves. It makes an impact in our society because it is happening and the voices of the victims cannot be heard. It's a good thing this movie was made to opened the eyes of the viewers. A tragic lesson for all Filipinos out there.

Kabisera

Kabisera, a sociopolitical movie starring the legendary Nora Aunor and Ricky Davao. This movie is directed by Arturo San Agustin and Real Florido under the production of Silver Story Entertainment and Fire Starters Production. One of the official movie entry in the MMFF 2016.

Based on true story of a perfect family living a simple life until the head of the family Tonying (Ricky Davao) was killed. From there Mercy ( Nora Aunor) the mother who really cares and protects her family wants to know the reason why and who killed his husband. There's no conclusion of who really the suspects is because it was found out that Tonying and Andy (JC De Vera) his eldest son was involved in extra judicial killings in their society. Andy tried to hide and escape from the law. Until his mother convinced him to surrender and lawsuit was filed against him.

I was not satisfied in the end of the story, there's no closure in Tonying murder case. It showed what really the government of the Philippines process this kind of lawsuit cases and how justice is unprogressive in our country just being an ordinary Filipino citizen. Well, unless you have the money to manipulate people and the politicians. It's happening in our society, it opened my eyes and I must say it broked my heart.

Die Beautiful

Die Beautiful, an independent film produced by Regal Films and included in MMFF 2016, lead by Paolo Ballesteros as he won as Best Actor and directed by Jun Robles Lana.

The story of the movie is about the deceased Trisha Echevarria (Paolo Ballesteros) life. Reminiscing memories during his funeral as his family, friends and those people who had an impact in his life visited him. It started when he was young, being gay in the family, where he was condemned by his father. He secretly joins gay beauty pageants and shows his creativity with his gay friends despite the disapproval of his father. He undergone struggles and was gang raped in his young age. As he move forward in life he had difficulty in reaching his dreams winning the crown in the prestigious Binibining Gay Pilipinas. He encountered discrimination from people, failed in having good relationship from men he met. But stills he have a good heart. He adopted a girl and treated her as his own daughter even pursue her to join beauty pageant as well.

It's a unique story and an eye opener to all viewers who is still judgmental to gays and queers in our society. It portrays that these group of people are still human and have the right to be happy and be respected. All of us, deserve to be treated equally and have all rights to be accepted of who we are and what we choose to be in life. Not giving up in your dreams in life and reaching it, then you can say that 'I can die beautifully.'