Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles has encouraged Filipinos around the country to make the viewing of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) movies an annual family Christmas tradition, saying on Saturday that younger generations of Filipinos should learn how to appreciate local films at an early age.
“Filipino children as they grow older are introduced to Filipino literature and authors like Jose Rizal, Francisco Balagtas, and F. Sionil Jose,” said Nograles.
“I think the same should apply to Filipino films, because younger generations will benefit from being exposed to the likes of Brillante Mendoza, Nora Aunor, and Ricky Lee––all of whom have had their work exhibited during the MMFF.”
The Palace executive also congratulated the organizers and participants of the 45th MMFF, saying that the annual film tilt “has provided a venue to showcase Filipino talent and the best of the Philippine film industry.”
“All of the entries are outstanding in their own right.”
Nograles, who has been named Chairman of the MMFF Board of Jurors for the third straight year, said that “every year, picking the best films in the MMFF is a challenge since all of the entries are outstanding in their own right.”
“Kahit anong genre—drama, action, comedy, o horror—magaganda talaga ang mga pelikula. Kitang-kita mo ang galing ng ating mga kababayan,” said the Palace official.
(Whatever the genre—drama, action, comedy, or horror—the movies are really good. You can really see the outstanding skills of our countrymen.)
Awarded the best MMFF film this year was “Mindanao,” which won ten awards. The other entries are “3Pol Trobol: Huli Ka Balbon,” “Culion,” “Miracle in Cell No. 7,” “Mission Unstapabol: The Don Identity,” “Sunod,” “The Mall, The Merrier,” and “Write About Love.”
According to Nograles, his respect for Filipino artists involved in local television and film productions grew even more after he was invited to join a new cooking show called “Kain Na!,” which airs every Saturday on PTV4.
“Before, I could only see and appreciate the output of the actors onscreen,” revealed the former legislator from Davao.
“But now that I work with directors, scriptwriters, and production crews on a regular basis, I can say from firsthand experience that our countrymen in the entertainment industry are really some of the best at their craft.”