Shared Experiences, Love, and Hurt in MMFF 2025 Entry UNMARRY

This 2025 MMFF, an entry by CINEKO Productions and Quantum Films will touch on the topic of relationships, love, and walking away. Angelica Panganiban and Tom Rodriguez will play the role of Angelica and Tom, a married couple who's life is about to collapse, breaking their hearts, and their two daughters. The other couple played by Zanjoe Marudo and Solenn Heussaff, want to fight their annulment procedure, and being with his son Elio played by Zac. Then found themselves inside the office of a lawyer, Atty. Lombridas played by the iconic Eugene Domingo. 

Finding themselves in the same boat, they got to stand on trial, telling some of the hardest things they've ever experienced while in the circumstances of their respective partners, and end up connecting, because they've been through the same things too. They began rebuilding themselves, helping each other overcome their trauma, but does this mean they're meant for each other?

Eugene Domingo "This film is sincere, no hysterics, just telling a story. It's an honor for me to do a film like this, we have a relationship because I am the real Ninang of Angge. She gives a little, it doesn't have to be overdone, a little talk, you'll feel it because she has been through a lot."

Chris "It's the way they throw lines, when I wrote this, I couldn't imagine how it would feel like in real life. It's been 3 years since we conceptualized this, about annulment, and the issues of legalities, no resolve of suggesting, but fair depiction of it, and balanced."

Angelica says "If you watched it, you'll like how characters tell their story. When I read this, I needed to be the voice of those who are seeking freedom, and we deserve that. I prepared for this because you really have to get to know the character first, it's easy because I'm working amongst friends too. I often suggest things, and they were receptive. Z and I have worked together so many times so it's comfortable to work with him. She didn't have to fight an annulment, but it's how she tries to find herself.When I was being given roles, I just couldn't feel things. Of course I want the life I have right now but I needed something that could make me come back with a project, something that could fire passion. I got text messages from both Atty Joji and Direk Chris. When I found out the cast, it was just the schedules that we talked about. This was really worth it. I started slow, they guided us in the first 3 days, but I wanted to do best because I miss this craft a lot. I wanted to prove so many things because I have experience. I needed to attack differently. My husband was happy and supportive, had to take breaks because I live in Zambales. This made me go out to Manila for a couple of days. Being with Uge was also warm, I feel good being with her on set "

Zanjoe says "When I read this, I knew how we were not husband and wife, but we were going through the same thing. Being a Father, and Husband, it's going to be more natural to connect with my character. It doesn't undermine marriage. I focused on emotions, because most of it is Ivan's family and how they are leaving you. I had to attack it on the day of the shoot, because it needs to build up naturally. I love how you know something will happen on scenes even after rehearsing it, it's a surprise every day."

Tom says "Celine and Ivan is relatable, but I tried to approach it as a human being even if I don't understand why. Even if love was depicted wrong, it's not a gimmick, it is a story that happens a lot in the Philippines. I feel fortunate because I got through a divorce which is relatively quicker. I was eager to accept this role. Atty. Joji is my Mom, this material was good but when I read it, it's something you wouldn't just leave on the table. I had to find the character."

Nico says "Being a child in an annulment, I went through it personally. This encourages you that in every ending, it gives someone else a fresh start."

Here's the video of the Mediacom this afternoon:

This comes out on Christmas day together with other entries of the Metro Manila Film Festival 2025. Make sure you catch it with the other films because this looks like an Angelica Panganiban masterpiece, she could get a Best Actress award for it. It doesn't matter if you're single, married or not. The film encourages you to think, start a better life with someone else or your own.

VICE GANDA Does OFW Family Drama in MMFF 2024 Film "AND THE BREADWINNER IS"

Just got out of the cinemas after watching "And the Breadwinner Is...", the MMFF 2024 entry of Star Cinema and IdeaFirst Company. This stars the one and only Unkabogable Vice Ganda and an ensemble cast that includes Eugene Domingo, Joel Torre, Malou De Guzman, Maris Racal, Anthony Jennings, Kokoy de Santos, Jhong Hilario, Gladys Reyes, and more. 

While this movie is expected to be funny (it is in the first half mostly), it has concentrated a lot on family and its intricacies. It would make folks learn more about how flawed we all are, how we need to spend MORE time with each other, and how we need LOVE.

Vice in this movie, in a way, is not just a source of laughter, but one who'd initiate real talk in the film. As the namesake means, Vice plays the breadwinner, one who's trying to manage and survive the challenges it entails. The hardships, like any person, would practically reach its boiling point and you'll see where Vice's character is coming from especially if she's done a LOT to make sure her family lives comfortably, and survive life in general. It's one of the most touching films I've seen this MMFF, I think it's why people have been crying the cinemas because it pulls heartstrings with the most important people in your life.

 

Kudos to Vice's great performance, that remarkable monologue with the other characters about their struggles really hit home. I felt several lines would hit you especially if you have OFW experiences. I almost lost it when she asked where a breadwinner would get rest because she felt, almost all the time, she had no right to.

Her scenes with her Mom Malou de Guzman also showed how one needed love (despite conditions), you should definitely see that.

Don't be swayed by opinions of non MMFF 2024 movie watchers because at the end of the day, this movie made sense for me. Congratulations Vice, Direk Jun and everyone who made the film. I'd give this a strong 4 out of 5 cows 🐮🐮🐮🐮.

Fear Something New With This Judy Ann Santos, Lorna Tolentino and Chanda Romero Starrer ESPANTAHO

When we heard Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo was participating in this year's Metro Manila Film Festival, we were really excited about particular film she's doing; they call it "ESPANTAHO". The term actually means a "scarecrow", a thing that's pretty common in farmlands, especially in agricultural countries like ours.

It's been a while since she's done something like this, but it was promised to her by Director Chito Roño who called her for the project. Judy Ann says "It's been a while since I've worked with Direk Chito Roño. Before I was a young lady, but now I already have a daughter. I'm happy because when he called me for a horror film, I didn't say anything, just "let's do it!". This is a dream, I wanted to experience it, he's calmer now, but still has a mic when he does sarcastic lines. I'm not the one he's getting mad at these days, but when you do it with him, it is fulfilling!"

This film was prepped for a year before they got to make the script. When the writer Christ Martinez presented it, he got "good" feedback from Direk Chito, and things started rolling from that. Atty Joji remarks how this has been a collaborative experience for them, and since Direk Chito is a master Director, they wanted to make a great film with them during their 20th Anniversary. The only issues they encountered were mostly because of the weather, but they adjusted with the season to fit the story. 

JC Santos likened Direk Chito to his former theater mentors, because once he asks for one more shot, it means you would need to do better on the scene. If he says "next scene", that means you're good. Most of them nodded in agreement, and Direk Chito felt he was getting roasted during the press conference (they had a laugh about it). 

Here's the press conference on video, of course! I got you!

They let us in on a secret, that painting on the left side of the stage will play a significant part in the film so if you see this in any theaters they'll be showing ESPANTAHO, go take a photo with it!

Ms. Lorna Tolentino took time to talk about love, family and a few more things about the movie after the press conference, listen in to the conversation:

In a nutshell, you would need to watch this film because of the caliber of actors that are in it. Not to mention how big of a horror director Chito Roño is, and how he's come to embrace new technology, special effects, and face a new crowd of movie goers eager to see something new, as you introduce a brand new entity to fear because they don't know what lurks behind that painting that you base the story on.

Hope this forms a cult following, perhaps a sequel too! The film will show on December 25 together with other MMFF 2024 entries, but consider watching this first especially if you're a Judy Ann Santos Agoncillo fan. This is produced by Cineko Productions, Purple Bunny Productions and Quantum Films. They promise that this will be the scariest film you're about to see on MMFF 2024.