Why Robin Padilla quit MMFF

MANILA, Philippines - Robin Padilla’s RP Studios Productions announced that, through a formal communication, it has requested the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) executive committee to allow the withdrawal of its proposed movie entry titled Alyas Bruce Wong from the festival.

In a letter addressed to MMFF overall chairman Francis Tolentino and executive chairman Jesse Ejercito, RP Studios expressed its regrets that, after a long and tedious deliberations of its board of directors and stakeholders, it arrived at the said decision. 

The production company also explained that while it has started the process of filming the movie, there were hindrances that prevented the movie from being finished in time for the festival in December. One of the problems encountered by RP Studios was the conflict in the schedules of the artists cast in the movie. It also stated that it wanted its entry to be competitive and of good quality but could not attain this objective due to inability of the artists to meet the shooting schedules. It added that it does not want to produce something that is done in haste.

Consequently, RP Studios also appealed for consideration of its predicament so that it could refund the performance bond it has previously submitted to MMFF.

RP Studios also extended its apology to the MMFF executive committee for the incident where the decision of the production was prematurely picked up by the media prior to the request for withdrawal. It was explained that the interview where the withdrawal mentioned by Robin was made in good faith and without any intention to taint the image of MMFF. He also clarified that he never intended and expected that his remarks were to be misunderstood or misquoted so as to cause any public furor against MMFF.