| Ex-President Joseph Estrada is a staunch supporter of Manila Film Festival now known as Metro Manila Film Festival |
Metro Manila Film stared as Manila Film Festival during the early 70's under Manila's Mayor Antonio Villegas stewardship. The primary aim is to attract local and international tourist in the city and promote Philippine-made movies. Since Manila was then the seat of first class theaters, the festival gathered much support and patronage only with Manila residents but also nearby cities, municipalities and provinces.
The first Manila Film Festival was a huge success and gained support from local movie producers. The initial schedule was during the second week of June as Manila City celebrates its founding day on the said month.. The succeeding years of the festival prove to be the most awaited film festival as fans of reining Philippine movie queens and Kings fought to support their idols movie entry.
Prestigious acting awards plus assured box-office hits make movie producers eager to have an entry or two in the festivals. Movie entries prove to be not so so or low quality as classic movies were past entries. One great example is "Patria Adora" which stars ex-President Joseph Estrada (He proves to be not only an action king but as good actor as well), Celso Castillo's Burlesk Queen, Araw-Araw-Gabi-Gabi starring Charito Solis, and movies of the famed love triangle of Eddie Rodriquez, Marleen Dauden and Lolita Rodriquez such as "IKaw ang Maysala". Dolphy's movie is the perennial topgrosser with movies "Facifica Falayfay", "Omeng" and "Bugoy".
When other nearby cities and municipalities started to build and have their own movie theater, Manila Film Festival become Metro Manila Film Festival under the supervision of Metro Manila Commission and patronage of the first Lady Imelda Marcos and First Daughter Imee Marcos. The festival became more significant as it broader its horizon.
Metro Manila Film festival award-giving body is the most recognized and acclaimed aside from FAMAS. Movie entries do not only vie for box-office hit but also for the prestigious awards. Jurors in the selections of awards include famous and respected people in the fields of arts, entertainment, politics and business in the country. Nick Joaquin, Joe Qurino, Lucuesta Katigbak, Gerry de leon are only some of the respected past jurors of the festival. But because scandals and intrigues play important rle in the movie and entertainment industry, The Metro Manila Festival has its own intrigues and scandals. There was an occasion when the Jurors decide to give one acting award for all entries. The Philippine Superstar Nora Aunor won the most coveted Best Performace in her film :"Atsay" while Vilma Santos, her arch rival was asked to return her acting trophy for Burlesk Queen after a scandal of award- buying. The date of the festival was also removed from June to December, timing for the Chistmas celebration. Number of entries also increased from 5 to 8 movie entries.
Metro Manila Film Festival saw the reign of Fernando Poe Jr as the King of Action movie with his "Ang Panday Series" which always top the box-office.
Today, Metro Manila Film Festival still enjoy the support of all Philippine movie fans and supporters. Every year, another colorful pages adds to its book and still the most awaited film festival in the country.
Metro Manila Film Festival 2011 entries are:
1, Enteng Ng INa Mo- Star Cinema/ APT Entertainment? M-Zet Films (Vic Sotto, Ai-Ai de las Alas)
2. My Househusband-Octo Arts (Judy Ann Santos, Ryan Agoncillo)
3.Segunda Mano- MJM productions (Kris Aquino, Dingdong Dantes)
4.Panday 2-Ikalawang Aklat -GMA Films and Imus Produtions (Bong Revilla, PhilipSalvador)
5.Mr. Wong-RP Productions (Robin Padilla, Amgelica Panganiban)
6. Shake, Rottle and Roll XIII- Regal Films (All-star cast)
7.Hototay-Regal Entertainment/ SMDC
8.Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow-Studio 5 (Heart Evanglista, Dennis Trillo)
