Ang Larawan, Siargao, Haunted Forest, Deadma Walking make it into MMFF

DESPITE BEING rejected the first time around when just script submissions were considered, Loy Arcenas’ musical Ang Larawan finally made the cut and has been selected as one of the final four entries in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

The musical film based on National Artist for Literature’s Nick Joaquin’s three-act play, Portrait of an Artist as Filipino (which features lyrics and music by National Artist for Theater and Literature Rolando Tinio and prolific composer Ryan Cayabyab) recently had its worldwide premiere at the Tokyo International Film Festival.

But after the movie was completed, the decision was made to resubmit and this time the film made the cut.

“Thank you for all your good wishes,” said one of the film’s producers, manager Girlie Rodis, in an Instagram post after learning the film was accepted. “Now that we are part of the lineup, we will need your support. Please watch us on Christmas Day. We are going against some very big names.”

Joining Ang Larawan in the lineup of selected finished films to compete at this year’s MMFF are: Siargao, directed by Paul Soriano; Haunted Forest, directed by Ian Loreños; and Deadma Walking, by Julius Alfonso.

These entries joined the previously announced entries Ang Panday, by Coco Martin (real name: Rodel Pacheco Nacianceno); Almost is Not Enough, directed by Dan Villegas; Gandarrapido: The Revenger Squad, by Joyce Bernal; and Meant to Beh, directed by Chris Martinez.

The MMFF runs from Dec. 25 to Jan. 7, 2018. — ZBC