'Honor Thy Father' to be part of MMFF 2015

MANILA, Philippines — The John Lloyd Cruz-starrer "Honor Thy Father" will be part of this year's Metro Manila Film Festival.

According to reports, "Honor Thy Father" will replace the historical film "Hermano Puli," which was supposed to star GMA-7 artist Aljur Abrenica and to be directed by Gil Portes.

It was earlier reported that "Hermano Puli" pulled out of the annual film festival due to lack of funding.

READ: 'Honor Thy Father' may replace 'Hermano Puli' in MMFF

"Honor Thy Father," directed by Erik Matti, was submitted earlier this year to be part of the 2015 MMFF. However, it was not chosen as the film festival's official eight entries and was instead sidelined as a one of the two reserve entries.

The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last September.

It will also open this year's Cinema One Originals film festival this November 8.

With "Hermano Puli" backing out of the film festival, here are the eight entries in 2015 MMFF.

1. "All You Need is Pag-ibig" (starring Kris Aquino, directed by Dan Villegas)
2. "Beauty and the Bestie" (starring Vice Ganda and Coco Martin, directed by Wenn Deramas)
3. "Buy Now, Die Later" (starring Alex Gonzaga, Rayver Cruz and Vhong Navarro, directed by Randolph Longjas)
4. "Haunted Mansion" (starring Janella Salvador, directed by Jun Lana)
5. "Honor Thy Father" (starring John Lloyd Cruz, directed by Erik Matti)
6. "My Bebe Love" (starring Vic Sotto, Ai Ai delas Alas, Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza, directed by Jose Javier Reyes)
7.  "Nilalang" (starring Maria Ozawa and Cesar Montano, directed by Pedring Lopez)
8. "Walang Forever" (starring Jennylyn Mercado and Jericho Rosales, directed by Antoinette Jadaone).

All eight films will open in theaters on December 25.