MMFF in Challenging Position With Emphasis on Quality

Without blockbuster franchises and stars such as Vic Sotto’s ‘Enteng Kabisote’ series, the new-look MMFF faces an uphill battle this year. (Photo credit: Cebu Daily News)

This is a From the Tube special report. The views and opinions expressed in this article are that of the author and do not reflect those of the Metro Manila Film Festival.

This year’s Metro Manila Film Festival will be a different experience for moviegoers and viewers alike.

Gone are the top drawers, big-spending production outfits and movie franchises that made the MMFF an annual Christmas tradition. Instead, the eight official full-length films will feature mostly independent productions, some of which were previously screened in other film festivals around the world.

The eight entries are:

• Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2: #ForeverIsNotEnough – directed by Marlon Rivera; stars Eugene Domingo, Jericho Rosales, Kean Cipriano, Khalil Ramos, and Cai Cortez
• Die Beautiful – directed by Jun Robles Lana; stars Paolo Ballesteros, Joel Torre, Gladys Reyes, Luis Alandy, Albie Casiño, and Iza Calzado
• Kabisera – directed by Arturo San Agustin and Real Florido; stars Ms. Nora Aunor, Ricky Davao, JC De Vera, Luis Alandy, Jason Abalos, and RJ Agustin
• Oro – directed by Alvin Yapan; stars Irma Adlawan, Mercedes Cabral, and Joem Bascon
• Saving Sally – directed by Avid Liongoren; stars Rhian Ramos, and Enzo Marcos
• Seklusyon – directed by Erik Matti; stars Rhed Bustamante, Phoebe Walker, Elora Espano, Neil Ryan Sese, Ronnie Alonte, Lou Veloso, Dominique Roque, John Vic De Guzman, and JR Versales
• Sunday Beauty Queen – directed by Babyruth Villarama Gutierrez; stars Hazel Perdido, Cherrie Mae Bretana, Mylyn Jacobo, Leo Selomenio, and Rudelyn Acosta
• Vince & Kath & James – directed by Ted Boborol; stars Julia Barretto, Joshua Garcia, and Ronnie Alonte

The selections were based on the following criteria: story, audience appeal and overall impact (40%); cinematic attributes or technical expertise (40%); global appeal (10%); and Filipino sensibility (10%). In essence, the MMFF organizers wanted to feature a greater emphasis on quality rather than commercialism alone.

Even though the change in approach is crucial in providing a more even playing field, promoting these films could pose a challenge. Many of the films were produced by independent companies, while a majority of them feature second or third-tier actors, some of whom are relative unknowns.

Let’s face it, while Eugene Domingo has box-office potential (‘Ang Babae sa Septic Tank’ raked in millions during its initial run), she is no Vic Sotto or Vice Ganda. And while Julia Barretto and Joshua Garcia are not a bad tandem, they are no AlDub or KathNiel in the appeal department.

The major television networks such as ABS-CBN and GMA, once major players in the MMFF, are in a similar predicament. In previous years, both played a big role in the success of MMFF entries, but with this year’s field, they may not be a factor at all.

This does not mean that all eight films are bad, however. They are still worth watching as far as moviegoers go, but it will be up to them to become seriously interested with these entries.

Come Christmas Day, all eyes will be on the eight Metro Manila Film Festival entries. Still, it remains to be seen if this year’s filmfest will be a blockbuster or a flop.

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AlDub Pa More, Commercial Style

The tandem of Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza is becoming increasingly bankable.

Not only are they helping ‘Eat Bulaga’ reach new levels of popularity, but they are also becoming more attractive to advertisers. The tandem’s well-received commercial plugs with McDonalds and TNT (Talk N’ Text) has led to even more endorsements as the year comes to an end.

These include commercials for the following products:

Bear Brand Adult Plus

Tide 6

Coca-Cola

Downy

Datu Puti

Hapee Toothpaste

Zonrox

Outside of AlDub, Alden and Maine also shot individual commercials for products such as Boardwalk and O+. Even Wally Bayola, Jose Manalo and Paolo Ballesteros (in character as Lola Nidora, Tinidora and Tidora respectively) have made an appearance in some of their commercials.

Not all parties are happy with their success. ABS-CBN, in particular, has some strict rules regarding commercials, which should explain why AlDub commercials there have been limited and at times edited by the network.

Of course, ABS-CBN did not want to risk losing viewers simply by accepting a split-screen duo that is more synonymous with rival GMA, TAPE Inc. and ‘Eat Bulaga’. They have their own bankable set of love teams, after all.

 

With the success of AlDub translating into higher revenue for the products they endorse, it is clear how transcendent the two have been to advertisers. But what about the big screen, as in ‘My Bebe Love: #KiligPaMore’?

Let’s wait and see if their impact on ‘Eat Bulaga’ and commercial endorsements will translate into box-office success this Christmas.

In 100 Words: FTT’s Year-End Posts for 2014

2014 is about to close, and From the Tube has something in store to end the year.

The Billboard Hot 100 Year-End charts has been released, and From the Tube is here to recap the top 100 songs of the year. Starting December 15, each post will feature 10 of the top 100 songs in ascending order (100-51 from 12/15-12/19, and 50-11 from 12/20-12/21), culminating in the top 10 songs of 2014, which will be posted on December 22.

And as always, From the Tube will look back at the year that was on Philippine television and radio. FTT’s year-end posts will focus on the various changes that occurred in the world of television and radio, as well as the best and the worst performers of the year.

With that, From the Tube would like to wish everybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

ABS-CBN Hits Big Again with the ‘Tulong Na’ Shirts

ABS-CBN’s ‘Tulong Na, Tabang Na, Tayo Na’ shirts were initially conceived for charitable causes, but its immediate popularity led to two successful concerts on November 16 and December 10.

When Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) struck the country a month ago, it left a trail of dead bodies, fallen trees and damaged structures. After the typhoon’s impact became all too gruesome for the human mind, the international community started donating sums of money and relief items for the victims of Haiyan. And ABS-CBN was among those who came to the rescue.

Days after Haiyan left the country, ABS-CBN launched their charity shirt bearing a fish-like symbol and the phrase ‘Tulong Na, Tabang Na, Tayo Na’. The shirts became available at the ABS-CBN Store in the network’s Quezon City headquarters last November 12, and was later sold online through Shopinas.com and at Ayala Malls in the country. It was also sold during various ABS-CBN-sponsored events such as mall shows.

The ‘Tulong Na’ shirt became an immediate hit thanks to its cheap price (P250) and strong message, not to mention additional publicity thanks to 30-second ads, a telethon, and television programs featuring ABS-CBN personalities. And last November 16, the Kapamilya network held a benefit concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with the shirt being given for free to ticket buyers.

The said concert from November 16 was such a success that another concert was held at the same venue last December 10, again with the ‘Tulong Na’ shirt distributed along with the tickets. ABS-CBN typically holds a Christmas concert at this time of the year, but on this night, the concert was about raising hope and prosperity to the victims of the typhoon. The concert entitled ‘Kwento ng Pasko: Pag-asa at Pagbangon’ will be aired in a two-part special this weekend on ABS-CBN.

In many ways, the popularity of the ‘Tulong Na’ shirts capped off a successful year for ABS-CBN. With top-rated programs outplaying the opposition almost every day, and with more potentially successful programs in the works, the Kapamilya network is definitely poised for bigger things this 2014.