This coming Christmas Day, theaters will be filled with happy kids, excited moms and thrilled dads as the Metro Manila Film Festival 2019 (MMFF 2019) shows 8 different Pinoy movies entries from different movie production to the annual film festival.

This is the year where Filipinos spend time with their families through a Pinoy movie experience.

So, what are these movies that we expect to watch this holiday season? Here are the following movies with a bit of info to let you decide which one to watch or which one to watch first.


THE MALL THE MERRIER 

This is a comedy film starred by the unkabogable comedian and TV host Vice Ganda together with Anne Curtis. Produced under Star Cinema and Viva Films, helmed by Barry Gonzales. The story is about these two siblings, Moira played by Vice Ganda and Morisette portrayed by Anne Curtis, feud over the mall that they inherited that is called Tamol Mall. Their quarrel is compounded with the arrival of their relative, Tita Moody and the story continues.

Other casts of the movie are Dimples Romana, Tony Labrusca, Elisse Joson, Jameson Blake, Lassy Marquez, MC Calaquian, Brenda Mage, Wacky Kiray, Chad Kinis, Ion Perez, Jackie Gonzaga and more.



MISSION UNSTAPABOL: THE DON IDENTITY

Another comedy film from the MMFF veteran Vic Sotto and Maine Mendoza. The film is directed by Linnet Zurbano under APT Entertainment and MZET TV Productions. The story revolves around the exploits of Don Robert Fortun, which is played by Vic Sotto, who forms a group to clear his name after he was accused of a crime and to retrieve a valuable pearl, the Pearl of the Orient, from his brother Benjie portrayed by Jose Manalo.

Also starred by Pokwang, Wally Bayola, Jake Cuenca, and Tonton Gutierrez among others.


SUNOD

MMFF would not be complete without a horror film. So, in this film genre a film under TEN17P was added to the list, Sunod. The movie is directed by Carlo Ledesma.

Cast members are Carmina Villaroel, Mylene Dizon, susan Africa, and Kate Alejandrino.


MIRACLE IN CELL NO. 7

Probably this is one of the much-anticipated film among the list as it is a remake of a Korean hit film. The movie stars Aga Muhlach and Bella Padilla. The original film is a multi-awarded Korean drama comedy film which was released in 2013. It follows the story of Yong-gu, a mentally challenged single father who was wrongfully accused and imprisoned for the murder of a young girl. Aga Muhlach plays the role of the mentally challenged single father. The movie is under Viva Films and directed by Noel C. Naval.

Other casts of the film are Bella Padilla, Xia Vigor, Joel Torre, JC Santos, Mon Confiado, Jojit Lorenzo, Soliman Cruz, John Arcilla, Tirso Cruz III, Ronnie Lazaro, Yayo Aguila, and more.


MINDANAO

Another film that falls in the drama genre and will definitely pinch your heart as you watch the movie. Produced and directed by Brillante Ma Mendoza. The story is about a Muslim family living in Mindanao. Saima played by Judy Ann Santos, is a mother of a cancer-stricken kid and the wife of a medic deployed in a conflict of aggression in southern Philippines - Mindanao. What makes this movie different is that it is mixed with a story telling animation about the legenday brother Raja and Sulayman fighting a dragon, which definitely symbolizes the reality of life.

Other cast in this film is Allen Dizon, Yuna Tangog, and Ketchup Eusebio.  


WRITE ABOUT LOVE

It's a love story under TBA Studios that tells the story about a young female writer portrayed by Miles Ocampo teaming up with one of the seasoned male writer played by Rocco Nacino in order to finish a love story stuck as work in progress. The characters in the story are played by Joem Bascon and Yeng Constantino. The film is a directorial debut of Crisanto Aquino.


3POL TROBOL: HULI KA BALBON

An action comedy film directed by Coco Martin himself under CCM Productions. The movie is about a cop who is out to prove his innocence after he was framed for the murder of his boss. Joining Coco Martin in this film are Jennylyn Mercado, Ai-Ai Delas Alas, and Sam Milby.


CULION

Another eye-opener film that brings a story not just to entertainment but to inform as well. This film is written by Ricky Lee and is directed by Alvin Yapan under iOptions Productions. It follows the story of three women seeking a cure for the dreaded disease leprosy.

Led by Iza Calzado, Meryll Soriano and Jasmine Curtis-Smith with a specie appearance of John Lloyd Cruz.

These are the magic 8 movies that will be shown on Christmas Day, December 25. Support all the films.

Mindanao is another movie created by one of the renowned director that portrays the reality of life and culture, Director Brillantes Ma Mendoza. As expected this new movie, that is part of the 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival, will definitely give you a glimpse of what is the culture of our fellow brothers and sisters in the south. It is also an eye-opener for every viewers that will watch or have watched this film, about the situation, the struggle, and the life everyone faces in Mindanao.

The movie Mindanao is starred by the Teleserye Queen, Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo and Allen Dizon and some casts that will definitely bring you to a different perspective about the people and culture we don't usually see. A life of a mother, a wife and an individual living in Mindanao.

Just recently, I was able to attend the advance screening of the movie Mindanao, missed the press conference but was able to get a crisp of what is the movie all about. It is really hard to tell about the story of film to give your idea about it without spoiling the movie, but we will try to provide views that viewers can pick up and ponder.

The reality of life most of the time hits really hard and seeing the film Mindanao breaks my heart into pieces. This is probably what Director Brillantes aims as he creates the film to let you know, feel and realize that this is happening and he wants us to see life as how he sees it through his films. It may be a film but it's sad to know that there are characters in real life that is like them, fighting and coping what life has given them.

The character of Judy Ann shows not only how she embraces life and struggle but how a malong is given many ways of uses she pictures life as it is, how we all face life in different angle.

It's another year to make the madlang people laugh. This is Vice Ganda's yearly devotion to fans and viewers. This year, under Star Cinema, Vice is bringing in hilarious antics from different comedians and she's rolling out the big gun, Anne Curtis, to make this year's film even more wackier than ever. Yes, Vice Ganda teams up with Anne Curtis in a family comedy film "The Mall, The Merrier".

Another plus, is the presence of Dimples Romana, still a villain but this time showcasing her funny side.


The Mall, The Merrier is about the rivalry of two sisters claiming ownership of a mall. Vice Ganda who plays Moira and Anne Curtis portrays Morisette, this is their first-time to co-star together. Then, their Tita Moody came and things get more complicated.


Soon, it becomes clear that Moody is looking to unearth a magical book for her evil plans, forcing the sisters to set aside their friction and team up against their common nemesis. The trailer also shows glimpses of fantasy elements, with headless mannequins, toy robots, and statues coming to life and joining a full-scale war inside the mall.

Watch our coverage of the press conference and some vids.








So, what will be the end of the film? Better watch it this Christmas Day, December 25.