Roll the film. Battle begins. (The 37th Metro Manila Film Festival)

Holiday season is here, and entertainment is always clear. 'Tis the season where the stars shine brightly, not only in the skies or on Christmas decorations, but also when the traditional Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) approaches. This year, seven entries would battle for different titles. Laugh or cry, get scared or fantasized, take the action or face the drama, MMFF's got it all to give you the holiday entertainment you're craving for.

The Entries

Enteng ng Ina Mo

The legend continues as Enteng Kabisote and Ina Montecillo joint forces on one movie. The rivalry of two stations become one on Enteng ng Ina Mo, mixing comedy and fantasy together. 

The movie won Best Make-Up and 2nd Best Picture award. It became the leading MMFF entry on its opening, gaining P32.8 million.

One of its cast, Ai-Ai delas Alas, received Female Kutis Ganda Celebrity Award on the Special Awards category.

Panday 2: Ang Ikalawang Aklat

Panday's journey is one of the popular entries of MMFF. But each episode becomes more action-packed and magical with amazing special effects.

Featuring Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., Marian Rivera, Iza Calzado, Eddie Garcia, Kris Bernal and Rhian Ramos, the movie has its powerhouse cast, plus guest appearances of Lorna Tolentino and Lucy Torres-Gomez.

The movie won Best Festival Visual Effects and Best Float. Lifetime Achievement Award is given to Eddie Garcia, who's also an important cast of the movie. Another special award is given to Iza Calzado for SMDC Most Glamorous Star and Female Face of the Night.

Segunda Mano

"Queen of Horror Movies" Kris Aquino unites with Dingdong Dantes and Angelica Panganiban on this breathtaking horror movie of MMFF. 

Plot of the story is about second hand items sold to main characters, which  came from strange origin and brings horror to their lives.

Dingdong Dantes won MMFF 2011 Best Actor on this film.

Shake Rattle and Roll 13

The regular horror film of MMFF never stops, as it continues to shake your heads, rattle hearts, and roll screams.


Kathryn Bernardo, Albie Casiño, Maricar Reyes and Eugene Domingo are one of the artists to watch for on this movie.


This film received Best Story, Best Child Performer (Bugoy Cariño), Best Story ('Rain, Rain, Go Away'), and 3rd Best Picture.


My Househusband

Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo and Ryan Agoncillo creates another husband-and-wife movie, but this time, for the MMFF. Eugene Domingo joins them to bring comedy and excitement for a perfect blend of romantic-comedy.


It won Gender Sensitivity Award and Best Supporting Actress (Eugene Domingo).


For special awards, Ryan Agoncillo received Male Kutis Ganda Celebrity Award and SMDC Glamorous Star, while Judy Ann Santos is named as Celebrity Sexiest Appeal of the Night.


Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

This heavy drama is composed of Maricel Soriano, Gabby Concepcion, Carla Abellana, Lovi Poe, Jericho Rosales, and other popular dramatic actors and actresses of the industry.


This entry became controversial for being disqualified in four major awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Gatpuno Antonio Villegas Cultural Awards, due to alleged changes on the story.


But its major cast Maricel Soriano received Best Actress award.


Manila Kingpin - The Asiong Salonga Story

The remake of Joseph Estrada's movie became an entry on the MMFF. Directed by Tikoy Aguiluz, the movie stars Jeorge "ER" Ejercito, Carla Abellana and Philip Salvador as main characters. The movie was Graded "A" by the Cinema Evaluation Board.


There were rumors saying that the film had less printed tickets available on different theaters because they were being cheated by a rival film. But despite of low ticket sales, Asiong Salonga bagged major awards on the MMFF.


They received Best Production Design, Best in Editing and Best Cinematography on Production categories.


They also had Best Musical Score, Best Sound Recording, and Best Festival Original Theme Song for Music categories.


On story basis, they got Best Screenplay and Gatpuno Antonio Villegas Cultural Award.


For acting awards, John Regala is named Best Supporting Actor.


It also received 2011 MMFF Best Picture and Best Director.


ER Ejercito is awarded the Celebrity Sexiest Appeal of the Night on special awards.


Timeline of 37th MMFF


December 24, 2011 - Parade of Stars
December 25, 2011 - Grand Opening
December 28, 2011 - Awards Night


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Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. It's always better to patronize our own movies. Tatak Pinoy.