“Contrary to rumors, Star Cinema is not withdrawing its entry Vince & Kath & James from the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival,” said the official statement released by the no.1 film outfit in the country.
This sheds light to rumors that circulated days before the MMFF opening that Star Cinema executives did not agree to the proposed 30 percent discount to be given to PWDs, students and the elderly.
MMDA and the MMFF Committee executives are bent on doing every resort to make sure the festival will be a success. They reportedly talked not only to the producers, the theater owners, media and some government agencies, like the Department of Education and Department of Tourism to get involved in making this year’s festival a big celebration.
Almost everybody agreed to the additional discount proposal but not Star Cinema according to the rumor.
But then again, Star Cinema, the only major film outfit with an official entry denied and linked the rumor to those that may want added exposure and free publicity.
“Anything for publicity is possible. We are exerting every effort to promote our movie for a larger audience, so why pull it out from the filmfest?,” an insider told us.
Vince & Kath & James stars Julia Barretto, Joshua Garcia, and Ronnie Alonte and directed by Ted Boborol. It is expected to be among the top three entries in both the tills and awards (Die Beautiful and Babae sa Septic Tank 2 are the other two).
It has been graded A by the Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB) which allows them to enjoy an additional 15 tax rebate.
“Rest assured that we are committed to provide the best in entertainment to the Filipino family this Christmas Season,” adds the official statement released.
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Speaking of tentries and their ‘grades’ after being evaluated by the CEB, only Kabisera with Nora Aunor failed to get quite a good mark.
You know, moviegoers are also attracted to films with “honor” (err.. promo blitz) because that guarantees the film is of the good quality.
Five entries got an “A” rating – Vince & Kath & James, Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2, Die Beautiful, Saving Sally, and Sunday Beauty Queen.
Two entries got a “B” grade – Oro and Seklusyon.
Only Nora Aunor’s entry was not given a remarkable grade, which makes us wonder why.
For sure, this will make the Noranians sad and Ate Guy sadder, so why not troop to the cinema houses and find out?
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Well, for sure Christmas was more enjoyable and memorable to showbiz couples that made the headlines recently.
For one, there was the Anne Curtis-Erwan Heussaff pair that brought giggles to many after their reported engagement.
There was even a video with social media netizens enjoyed watching.
And from what we’ve heard, the two are planning to have two versions of their wedding in 2017.
“One will be held in the Philippines and there is another one abroad,” their common friend related to us. But same source never gave details.
“We can relate to Anne’s feeling of the magic everyday. She is happier now,” added our source.
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Another couple that joined the bandwagon of celebrities proposing and getting married is the Billy Crawford-Coleen Garcia tandem.
Billy made the move on the night of Dec. 20 at Ninyo Fusion Cuisine in Quezon City where he finally popped out the question to Coleen if she could be his forever?
“Yes, Billy is such a romantic. Perhaps, he imbibes more of it after co-host Anne made the announcement of her own engagement. He is of age na naman,” said our same source.
The couple’s engagement that made viral in the social media was captured by their director-friend Gino Santos, who first posted the photo on his Instagram account.
Using the hashtag #ColeenSaidYes, the director captioned: “Omg! This just happened!!! Congratulations @coleengarcia & @billyjoecrawford I love you both!”
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This early, Eugene Domingo is touted as Nora Aunor’s rival in the Best Actress race, but Irma Adlawan and Rhian Ramos should not be discounted. Both are also good in their entries. But wait, Seklusyon’s Rhed Bustamante may give all of them a spoiler, as the ten-year old kid is so amazing and powerful in her entry.
In the Best Actor category, Paolo Ballesteros is the strongest contender with his ‘tour de force’ take in Die Beautiful that has first gained international recognition from festivals it joined.
“No. That will never be an issue. We made that clear from the start and MMFF knows and approves of it,” replied director Jun Lana and producer Perci Intalan when asked if hey might be disqualified because the film has been screened in festivals abroad before its Philippine premiere?
Giving Paolo a contest according to those that already watched the entries are Jericho Rosales and Joel Torre in Babae sa Septic Tank 2, Joshua Garcia in Vince & Kath & James; and Joem Bascon in Oro.
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Erwan’s elder sister Solenn Heussaff is now relieved that his favorite brother has finally asked Anne Curtis to marriage.
The very sexy Solenn who first walked the aisle with her fiancé early this year in a private ceremony abroad confirmed reports that they both talked about getting married at almost the same time.
But since she is the “ate”, Erwan gave way and waited for his time. “I so adore and respect my brother. I know how much in love he is with Anne and I’m so thrilled that finally, ayan na din siya,” said Solenn.
“This Christmas is so extra special to our families. Mas may meaning and yes, it’s different in so many ways because of what we have as addition to us di ba?” she who experienced many Christmases abroad said.
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Many fans are turned off because they don’t know where to access the interview of Aquino
Kris of Maine Mendoza
Well we’ve read somewhere that it was posted on a social media account but like them, we haven’t seen it.
It was promoted before as Kris’ “pasabog” to her newfound network, but it seemed that only very few has seen it.
Kris is reported to be in the USA with her sons for the Christmas Holidays. She is also believed to be doing heavier soul searching as 2016 has never been good to her in many aspects.
With the so many “love” filling the air in showbiz nowadays, Kris who always says and commands it, seems not included…literally and figuratively.