2013 MMFF beats last year’s gross

Curtain-raisers:

Here’s a rejoinder to Funfare’s recent item about stars who have come to the rescue of Yolanda victims and survivors, from reader Jun Poquiz, a Filipino engineer working in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia:

Mr. Arnel Pineda and Journey also love  the Philippines, maybe even more than most of those mentioned in your column. In fact, the group donated US$150,000. Also, Arnel even joined World Food Program (WFP) in raising funds for Yolanda. In 2009, on his own he helped the Ondoy victims. He’s one great Filipino we can really be proud of. I am a fan of his.

A TV guy only laughs (out loud, hahaha!) at the ridiculous rumor linking him  to a controversial young starlet once also linked to a popular person almost old enough to be her father. “Impossible! Incredible!” laughed the TV guy. I believe him.

Now I know why a theater-TV-movie singer-actor and his singer-dancer actress-girlfriend broke up even if they have a kid. She had been pressuring him to fulfill his promise that they got married but he just ignored her, turning a deaf ear to her plea, so…

***

There’s no breakdown yet how much each of the eight official entries earned in the just-concluded 10-day 2013 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

But according to sources, the 2013 MMFF raked in more than P900M (“Almost P1B,” said an insider), beating last year’s P747M-plus gross. Some of the entries are on an extended run, with My Little Bossings as the top grosser that set a record by earning P50.5M on opening day.

Here’s the (unofficial) ranking without the figures:

1. My Little Bossings

2. Boy Girl Bakla Tomboy

3. Pagpag, Siyam na Buhay

4. Kimmy Dora: The Kiyeme Prequel

5. and 6. A toss-up between Boy Golden and 10,000 Hours (which swept the awards with 14 trophies)

7. Pedro Calungsod

8. Kaleidoscope World

Incidentally, I think it was unnecessary for MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino to react to negative reactions to the MMFF Awards. The judges have spoken irrevocably and that’s final. I agree with Ethel Ramos that those who cannot abide by the rules should stay out of the MMFF and give others a chance.

I respect the judges’ decision even if I have my own choices as winners:

•Best Picture: Either Boy Golden or 10,000 Hours (the MMFF winner)

•Best Director: Yes, Bb. Joyce Bernal (10,000 Hours) who won (should have tied with Chito Roño for Boy Golden)

•Best Actress: Eugene Domingo (Kimmy Dora) and KC Concepcion (Boy Golden)

•Best Actor: Robin Padilla (10,000 Hours) who won (with Eddie Garcia [Boy Golden] as dark horse)

•Best Supporting Actress: Gloria Sevilla (Boy Golden) or Bela Padilla (10,000 Hours)

•Best Supporting Actor: John Estrada (Boy Golden) or Cholo Barretto (10,000 Hours)

• Best Child Performer: Ryzza Mae Dizon (My Little Bossings) who won (should have tied with Buboy Villar [Boy Golden])

That’s it. See you same time, next year…with the same post-awards controversy.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)