Bossings tops MMFF 1st day with P50.5M

Curtain-raisers:

• Flash report from Funfare’s airborne DPA: Sleeping Beauty on flight. Plane took off with model’s seat partially reclined, crew couldn’t wake her up because she was sleeping like a log, dead to the world. Upon reaching Hong Kong, model was still fast asleep. After so much shaking by a crew member, she woke up looking dazed and lost in transition. Crew had to assist her with her belongings, her cell phone, her shoes and her documents.

• Message on Christmas card from a friend: Not all fingers have the same length but when they are  bent, they appear equal. It’s good to be flexible and considerate. Life is easier when we bend and adjust to others. In the end, it’s not between you and them, it’s between you and God.

• Text message that opened my day yesterday: Everything in your life is a reflection of a choice you have made. If you want a different result, make a different choice.

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As predicted, My Little Bossings topped the first day of the 2013 (39th) Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) on Dec. 25, Christmas Day, which is traditionally believed to be children’s day. According to Funfare sources, MLB’s total gross was P50.5M.                       

No doubt the movie’s biggest attractions are Ryzza Mae Dizon and James “Bimby” Aquino Yap whose mom, Kris Aquino (in “special participation” role), is a co-producer with the triumvirate MMFF mainstay of Orly Ilacad’s OctoArts Films, Tony Tuviera’s APT Productions and M-Zet Films of Vic Sotto who also stars in it.

MLB got a presidential endorsement from Bimby’s uncle, Pres. Noynoy Aquino, who was special guest at the movie’s premiere. 

Here’s the unofficial ranking of the eight MMFF entries (grosses of the seven not available):

My Little Bossings

Boy Girl Bakla Tomboy

Pagpag, Siyam na Buhay

Kimmy Dora, The Prequel

10,000 Hours  

Boy Golden

Pedro Calungsod

8. Kaleidoscope World

The ranking might slightly but not dramatically change after the Gabi Ng Parangal awards night tonight. The winners are expected to improve their starrers’ box-office standing.

MMFF stars should be reminded to toe the line set by MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority) for the awards night, such as no walking out, no boycott and no crying backstage. I suppose winners can shed tears of joy while delivering their thank-you speeches while losers should hold back tears and may scream their lungs out upon reaching home.

Fines will be imposed, to wit: P150,000 on any executive producer who doesn’t attend the affair and P25,000 on absentee lead stars. Cash prizes for awardees who fail to show up will be forfeited. A penalty of P300,000 on the producer and P25,000 each on actors who cause disturbance (walkout, etc.).

MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino was quoted as saying that these rules have to be implemented to ensure unity among industry people, “…Suklian natin ng kabutihan at pagkakaisa ng mga manonood ng pagkakaisa rin at kabutihang asal…”

Stars should be forewarned. Misbehave or else…

Briefly Noted

•The 2013 MMFF has just begun and already, some companies are already hatching plans for next year’s event. A Funfare source said that Star Cinema is thinking of casting Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos in a movie in which Vilma’s character will start being boss of Ai-Ai de las Alas’ character until a reversal of roles happens toward the end.

• Very few people send Christmas cards anymore, or haven’t you noticed? No thanks to social media. But really now, there’s nothing more touching than sending or receiving the traditional cards. Showcased on this page are the best family-oriented Christmas cards that Funfare has (so far) received.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected].)