MMFF 2012 Awards Night: Angel Locsin and Nora Aunor in a Tight Race for Best Actress

Superstar Nora Aunor and award-winning actress Angel Locsin are in a neck-to-neck battle for the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF 2012) Best Actress trophy. The awards night will happen Thursday, December 27 at the Meralco Theater.

Nora Aunor has been the front-runner to win Best Actress for her performance in Thy Womb as a Badjao midwife who is coping with her infertility by acting as a match-maker to his husband and the one that could give him a child. Ate Guy has won several accolades in international film festivals for the film and it would be safe to assume that she's a top contender for Best Actress in MMFF.

Video: Thy Womb MMFF 2012 Trailer

Meanwhile, One More Try lead actress Angel Locsin is also getting the Best Actress buzz for her role as Grace, a single mother who will do anything to save his ill child. Moviegoers who got to watch the film strongly believed that Angel's performance is worthy of an acting award.

Read: One More Try Movie Lines and Quotes

Angelica Panganiban might also be up for the Best Actress trophy but if she will be nominated as Best Supporting Actress, she has it in the bag. Zanjoe Marudo might also won for the award's male counterpart, having nailed his role as Tristan in the movie. However, Cesar Montano and Christopher de Leon also did well in the historical biopic El Presidente.

For the Best Actor category, many said that it will be between Gov. E.R. Ejercito (Jeorge Estregan) of El Presidente, Dingdong Dantes of One More Try, Enchong Dee of The Strangers and Vice Ganda of Sisterakas.

We predict that it will be a tie between Nora Aunor and Angel Locsin for Best Actress and the other acting awards will be shared by the three movies One More Try, Thy Womb and El Presidente.

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MMFF 2012 Stars Parade Atop Festive Floats (Photos)

The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF 2012) officially kicked off with the Parade of Stars which happened Sunday, December 23.

The MMFF 2012 parade started around 2 PM at the Quirino Grandstand and followed the path to Roxas Boulevard before finally halting to the SM MOA Grounds (see complete parade route here). The lead stars of the eight participating films paraded atop huge floats which took inspiration from their respective movies' theme.

Here are the stars of the MMFF 2012 riding their respective floats. (Don't forget to comment on which film has the best float)

El Presidente Float - Jeorge ".E.R." Estregan, Nora Aunor, Cristine Reyes, Cesar Montano, Christopher De Leon

One More Try Float - Angel Locsin, Dingdong Dantes, Zanjoe Marudo and Angelica Panganiban

Shake Rattle and Roll 14 Float - Vhong Navarro, Lovi Poe, Paulo Avelino, Janice De Belen, Herbert Bautista, Dennis Trillo, Ella Cruz

Si Agimat, Si Enteng Kabisote at Si Ako Float - Bong Revilla, Vic Sotto, Judy Ann Santos

Sisterakas Float - Kris Aquino, Vice Ganda, Ai Ai Delas Alas, Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla and Xyriel Manabat

Sosy Problems Float - Heart Evangelista, Bianca King, Solenn Heussaff, Rhian Ramos

The Strangers Float - Enchong Dee, Julia Montes, Enrique Gil, JM de Guzman

Thy Womb Float - Nora Aunor, Bembol Roco, Lovi Poe, Mercedes Cabral

The MMFF 2012 Parade of Stars will be telecast Sunday, December 23 on TV-5 at 9:30 PM. The MMFF 2012 awards night will be held on December 27 while the entire festival will run from December 25 to January 8.

Photos credits to respective owners from Facebook/Twitter; MMFF Official

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MMFF 2012 Parade of Stars: MMDA Releases Traffic Advisory, Alternate Routes

The most-awaited Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF 2012) Parade of Stars will happen on Sunday, December 23 and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority along with the organizers of the 38th MMMFF announced the route of the traditional Parade of Stars and alternate routes for motorists.

Click here to see the festive floats of the eight official entries

The annual Parade of Stars will feature the stars of participating films atop huge floats and many people will surely flock the parade's route, anticipating MMFF's festive kick-off. This year's entries include Sisterakas, One More Try, El Presidente, The Strangers, Shake Rattle and Roll 14, Sosy Problems, Thy Womb and  Si Agimat, Si Enteng Kabisote at Si Ako. 

Here is the advisory of MMDA regarding the event:

MMFF Parade of Stars - Parade Route December 23, 2012, 2:00 PM Parade starts in front of the Quirino Grandstand left turn at T.M. Kalaw, right turn to Roxas Blvd., right turn at Buendia Avenue, left at Macapagal Avenue, right at Seaside Blvd., left at Jose Diokno Blvd., right at Harbor Drive, drop off point at Block 21 within SM MOA Grounds. Alternate Routes: Southbound - From T.M. Kalaw, left turn at A. Mabini straight to F. B Harrison, right turn to EDSA, left to Roxas Blvd. Nothbound - From EDSA, left turn at Taft Avenue straight to corner T.M. Kalaw

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MMFF 2012 Official Entries (Mainstream and New Wave Films Final Roster)

The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has released the final roster  of the official entries to the 38th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF 2012). The movies will be released on the big screen Christmas Day.

The 2012 MMFF will be kicked off by the Parade of Stars on December 23 (Sunday), with the Gabi ng Parangal set for December 27. The filmfest officially ends on January 7, 2013.

Here are the 8 official entries to the 2012 MMFF:

		‘THE STRANGERS’ Genre: Horror Starring Enrique Gil, Enchong Dee and Julia Montes Produced by Quantum Films Directed by Lawrence Fajardo Watch trailer here
		‘EL PRESIDENTE’ Genre: Historical Starring Jeorge “E.R.”Estregan, Nora Aunor, Cristine Reyes, more Produced by Scenema Concept International Directed by Mark Meily Watch trailer here
		‘THY WOMB’ Genre: Drama Starring Nora Aunor, Lovi Poe and BembolRoco Produced by Centerstage Productions and Solar Entertainment Directed by Brillante Mendoza Watch trailer here
		‘SISTERAKAS’ Genre: Comedy Starring Vice Ganda, Kris Aquino and Ai-Ai Delas Alas Produced by Star Cinema and Viva Entertainment Directed by Wenn V. Deramas Watch trailer here
		‘ONE MORE TRY’ Genre: Romance-Drama Starring Angel Locsin, Angelica Panganiban and Dingdong Dantes Produced by Star Cinema Directed by Ruel S. Bayani Watch trailer here
		‘SI AGIMAT, SI ENTENG KABISOTE AT SI AKO’ Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Action Starring Bong Revilla, Vic Sotto and Judy Ann Santos Produced by OctoArts Films, M-Zet, Imus Productions, Apt Entertainment and GMA Films Directed by Tony Y. Reyes Watch trailer here
		‘SOSY PROBLEMS’ Genre: Comedy Starring Rhian Ramos, Heart Evangelista, Solenn Heussaff and Bianca King Produced by GMA Films Directed by Andoy Ranay Watch trailer here
		‘SHAKE, RATTLE AND ROLL 14′ Genre: Horror Starring Vhong Navarro, Dennis Trillo, Lovi Poe and Eula Caballero Produced by Regal Entertainment Directed by Chito Roño Watch trailer here

For the New Wave Feature Film section, here are the 5 official entries:

‘AD IGNORANTIAM’ Starring Kristoffer King, Ina Feleo, Kimmy Maclang, Mercedes Cabral Produced by Quantum Films Directed by Armando Lao

‘GAYAK’ Starring Allan Paule, Evelyn Vargas, Richard Bradley, Sef Cadayona Produced by Pro.Pro Artist & Advertising Directed by Ronaldo Bertubin

‘IN NOMINE MATRIS’ Starring Liza Diño, Biboy Ramirez, Al Gatmaitan, Clara Ramona, Tami Monsod Produced by HUBO Productions Directed by Will Fredo

‘PAGLAYA SA TANIKALA’ Starring Matteo Guidicelli, Micko Laurente, Nicco Manalo Produced by Kuwentista Production, Inc Directed by Michael Angelo Dagñalan

‘THE GRAVE BANDITS’ Starring Marti Sandino San Juan, Ronald Pacifico, Jill Palencia Produced by Paper Boat Pictures Directed by Tyrone Acierto

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Nora Aunor Wins Best Actress, Brillante Mendoza Best Director at 6th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) 2012

Philippine superstar Nora Aunor bagged the Best Actress trophy at the 6th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) 2012. Nora Aunor was recognized for her performance in the film Thy Womb (Sinapupunan).

The said award is a follow up APSA win for Nora Aunor as her film Himala was awarded the CNN APSA Viewers Choice Award for Best Asia-Pacific Film of All Time in 2008.

Meanwhile, Thy Womb director Brillante Mendoza also took pride for winning the Achievement in Directing (Best Director) category in the said annual awards. Thy Womb, which is now an official entry to the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival has earned rave reviews from critics of the 2012 Venice International Film Festival.

Tepenin Ardi (Beyond the Hill, Turkey/Greece) was hailed as the Best Feature Film. while Choi Min-sik of South Korea won the Best Actor trophy for the film Bumchoiwaui Junjaeng (Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time). For the complete list of winners of APSA 2012, click here.

Aside from Aunor and Mendoza, Filipino screenwriter-director Chris Martinez (Here Comes The Bride) also got a nod from APSA and was nominated in the Best Screenplay category for Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank. Marlon Rivera, the director of the said film was awarded the APSA NETPAC award which comes with a film development cash prize of $5,000.

The sixth Asia Pacific Screen Awards, the region’s highest accolade in film, was held on Friday night, November 23 at a glittering ceremony at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre in Brisbane, Australia. The APSA ceremony was attended by more than 700 Australian and international guests and filmmakers from across Asia Pacific who are true leaders in their fields.

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6th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) 2012 Winners

The sixth Asia Pacific Screen Awards, the region’s highest accolade in film, was held on Friday night, November 23 at a glittering ceremony at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre in Brisbane, Australia. The Philippines bagged two APSA Awards this year with Nora Aunor and Brillante Mendoza winning the Best Actress and Best Director trophies, respectively.

Here is the complete list of winners of the 6th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) 2012:

BEST FEATURE FILM
Beyond The Hill (Turkey, Greece)

Highly commended: Nameless Gangster: Rules Of The Time (Republic of Korea)

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM
In My Mother’s Arms (Iraq, UK, Netherlands)

Highly commended: Planet Of Snail (Republic of Korea, Japan, Finland)

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
A Letter To Momo (Japan)

BEST CHILDREN’S FEATURE FILM
The Mirror Never Lies (Indonesia)

ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING
Brillante Mendoza, Thy Womb (Philippines)

Highly commended: Cheng Er, Lethal Hostage (China)

BEST SCREENPLAY
Reis Çelik, Night Of Silence

ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY
Touraj Aslani, Rhino Season (Iraqi-Kurdistan,Turkey)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR
Choi Min-sik, Nameless Gangster: Rules Of The Time

Highly commended: Lior Ashkenazi, Footnote (Israel)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS
Nora Aunor, Thy Womb

Highly commended: Darya Ekamasova, Once Upon A Time There Lived A Simple Woman (Russia)

SCREEN INTERNATIONAL JURY GRAND PRIZE
Anurag Kashyap for his direction of Gangs Of Wasseypur (India)
Cho Min-soo for her performance in Pieta (Korea)

Highly commended: Joseph Cedar for his screenplay for Footnote

UNESCO AWARD
Warriors Of The Rainbow: Seediq Bale (Taiwan), director Wei Te-sheng, producers John Woo, Terence Chang.

APSA FIAPF Award
Ryuichi Sakamoto, composer

The APSA ceremony was attended by more than 700 Australian and international guests and filmmakers from across Asia Pacific who are true leaders in their fields. The Asia Pacific Screen Awards recognize and promote the cinematic excellence and cultural diversity of the vast Asia Pacific region.

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Thy Womb Now an Official MMFF 2012 Entry, Replaces 'Lola Basyang'

Brillante Mendoza's highly-acclaimed film Thy Womb (Sinapupunan) starring superstar Nora Aunor is now an official entry to the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival replacing  Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang.

MMFF 2012 Committee decided to include Thy Womb to the official entries after Studio 5 and Unitel Pictures pulled out Lola Basyang due to production time constraints. Thy Womb will now compete against the other seven official entries to the MMFF 2012.

The MMFF special committee led by Jesse Ejercito was tasked to choose the replacement of Lola Basyang and Thy Womb was chosen out of the three films which ranked after Lola Basyang including Skylight Films' Tuhog and Adolf Alix Jr's My Prince Charming. The latter two films reportedly will not meet the deadline so Thy Womb was given the slot.

Thy Womb was screened at the Venice International Film Festival which gave Nora a Best Actress award from a group of critics. The film also gave Ate Guy and Direk Dante the Best Actress and Best Director nominations, respectively at the 2012 Asia Pacific Screen Awards, to which the winners will be announced in November 23.

Watch the MMFF 2012 trailer of Thy Womb:

Both Direk Dante and Ate Guy expressed their joy for the inclusion of Thy Womb in the official list of entries for this year's MMFF. According to MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino, Thy Womb's credentials will add prestige to the December filmfest.

It will now be a tough battle for the 2012 MMFF Best Actress as we have Nora Aunor, Kris Aquino, Ai Ai Delas Alas and Judy Ann Santos. Thy Womb is also a shoo-in for the Best Picture award.

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Nora Aunor, Brillante Mendoza, and Chris Martinez Nominated at the 6th Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2012

The Philippines scored three nominations at the 6th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) 2012. Brillante Mendoza's Thy Womb (Sinapupunan) was nominated in two categories: Best Director for Brillante Mendoza and Best Actress for Nora Aunor. 

Meanwhile, screenwriter-director Chris Martinez (Here Comes The Bride) was nominated in the Best Screenplay category for Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank. Early this year, Chris was also nominated in the same category at the Asian Film Awards.

Nora Aunor will once again be pitted against Cho Min-soo of the Korean film Pieta for the Best Actress award. The two were nominated at the 2012 Venice International Film Festival but lost to Hadas Yaron of Israel's Fill The Void. Cho's film eventually won the said filmfest's top prize, Golden Lion (Best Film). Nora, however, won for her the Golden Eel Award (Best Actress) from a group of critics in Venice Film Festival.

The Philippines had clinched only one APSA Award by virtue of Nora Aunor's Himala which was awarded the CNN APSA Viewers Choice Award for Best Asia-Pacific Film of All Time in 2008.

All winners in the sixth annual Asia Pacific Screen Awards will be announced at a glittering ceremony on November 23 in Brisbane, Australia. 

According to the official website of Asia Pacific Screen Awards, 264 films from 70 eligible Asia Pacific countries joined the competition this year but only 5 were chosen as the official nominees for each category.

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Jericho Rosales' Alagwa Invited to the 2012 Busan International Film Festival

Alagwa (Breakaway) which stars Jericho Rosales will have its world premiere at the 17th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) 2012 which will run from October 4-13 in Busan, South Korea.

Alagwa is Jericho's first local indie movie and besides being an actor, he is also co-producing the film. It is an advocacy film about human trafficking inspired by urban legends about children being abducted in the streets of Metro Manila.

Under the direction of Ian Loreños (The Leaving), Alagwa (Breakaway) also stars Bugoy Cariño, Carmen Soo, Leo Martinez, Smokey Manaloto, Jeremiah Rosales, John Manalo, Nanette Inventor,  Iñaki Ting, Garry Lim and Jamieson Lee.

Here is BIFF's program note for Alagwa:

People have a tendency to be drawn to danger and adventure, so this film takes us to the most dangerous spots in the world we live. The film was inspired by the true story of a Chinese-Filipino boy who went missing in the 1990s. Stories of missing children are always accompanied by the exhaustive searches by their parents. Films dealing with searches such as to are usually searches for self. But the story of 9-year-old Brian and his father Robert explores the dark side of the Philippines and the issues of child trafficking. Robert is called to Brian’s school as a result of Brian’s bad behavior. He’s angry at his son but they soon reconcile and head for the local shopping mall. There, Brian goes to the men’s room while Robert steps away to buy a lottery ticket. Brian is never seen again. The camera follows Robert’s journey as he searches for his son through the perilous streets of the Philippines; the lens capturing the anxiety and terror in Philippine society.

Watch the newly-released one-minute teaser for Alagwa:

Aside from Alagwa, seven other Filipino films have also been invited to Busan International Film Festival in October. Four were entries to the recent 8th Cinemalaya Film Festival—Mes de Guzman’s Diablo, Vincent Sandoval’s Aparisyon, Lawrence Fajardo’s Posas (Shackled) and Adolfo Alix Jr.’s Kalayaan. The others are Brillante Mendoza’s Captive and Thy Womb and Antoinette Jadaone’s Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay.

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Direk Brillante Mendoza Talks About 'Thy Womb' on Inside The Cinema

World-renowned director Brillante Mendoza already proved his worth in the craft he smiths. Attesting to this are his critically acclaimed films such as “Masahista”, “Serbis”, “Kinatay”, “Captive”, which were celebrated not just in the Philippines but around the globe. 

With the nomination of “Thy Womb”, his forthcoming film starring the Superstar Nora Aunor, to the ‘Golden Lion’ award in the 69th Venice International Film Festival, the seasoned director will share his experiences in making this remarkable film. 

[Read: Nora Aunor Wins Int'l Critics' Award in Venice for 'Thy Womb']

Catch him in an exclusive one-on-one interview with the country’s premier host, Boy Abunda on “Inside the Cinema” this September 11 (Tuesday) at 7:30 p.m. on Cinema One. The country’s number cable channel is available on Sky Cable Gold, Sky Cable Silver and other quality cable operators nationwide. 

Follow Cinema One on Twitter @cinema_one and ‘like’ its Facebook page.

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Nora Aunor Wins Int'l Critics' Award in Venice for 'Thy Womb'

Superstar Nora Aunor won the Bisato d' Oro Award (Golden Eel Award) for her performance in the movie Thy Womb (Sinapupunan) which is currently competing at the 69th Venice International Film Festival.

The said award was given by an independent award giving body in Venice, the Premio Della Critica Indipendente which consists of a jury of independent film critics. Although the Bisato d' Oro Award was given by top critics not associated with the Venice Filmfest award-giving body, this could boost Nora's chances of winning the Volpi Cup, the best actress award in the said film festival.

Nora Aunor showing her Bisato d' Oro (Golden Eel)
award with Direk Dante Mendoza.

Being the first Filipina to win the Golden Eel Award, it was indeed a huge honor for Nora Aunor who said that it will just be a bonus winning an acting award since Thy Womb being invited to compete at the Venice Film Festival is already a big achievement.

Thy Womb, which is directed by Cannes Best Director Brillante Mendoza, is up against 17 films vying for the Golden Lion award at the 69th Venice International Film Festival. After it was screened at the festival last Thursday, the cast received a  standing ovation which lasted for more than 5 minutes.

Also starring Lovi Poe. Mercedes Cabral and Bembol Roco, Thy Womb tells the story of Shaleha (Nora Aunor), an infertile midwife who plays a match-maker to her husband Bangas-An (Bembol Roco) after struggling of giving him his own child. 

Aside from Thy Womb, Nora Aunor's Himala was also screened at the 69th Venice International Film Festival together with other restored films through its Venizia Classici.

Watch the trailer of Thy Womb (Sinapupunan) below:

Photo courtesy of Lovi Poe via Instagram

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Sam Milby Stars in Indie Film 'Death March'

Sam Milby has started shooting for the indie movie Death March. Sam shared a photo of him on instagram showing what to expect on his character in the said film.

Death March, according to ABS-CBN News, "tells the story of its namesake -- the forcible transfer of 76,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war by the Japanese Army in 1942." This historical film about the fall of Bataan also stars Jason Abalos, Felix Roco, Luis Alandy, Zanjoe Marudo, Ejay Falcon and Carlo Aquino.

Death March is actually one of the films submitted for consideration to the 38th Metro Manila Film Festival 2012 but unfortunately, it did not make the cut along with Dante Mendoza's Thy Womb (starring Nora Aunor) which is set to compete at the 59th Venice International Film Festival at the end of the month.

Directed by Adolfo Alix Jr., Death March is expected to hit theaters later this year.

Photo courtesy of @R_nurse

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