#2023SummerMMFF: About Us But Not About Us

Since then, Ideafirst company has been offering out of the box shows ranging through different genres. In my perspective, I adored how they mastered the art of boy’s love storytelling which often has deep messages but executed calmly and in an easily understandable manner. About Us But Not About Us is the proof that Ideafirst has done this thing again.

Who would have thought that a film will still be enjoyable even if its just composed of two characters in a single setting? A Gripping, waiting for the next big confession, at-the-edge-of-your-seat extravaganza from none other than director Jun Robles Lana. This 90-minute movie will startle you for its overwhelming expedition towards different sensitive themes between a closeted gay student and a questionable professor who is simply having dinner. Elijah Canlas and Romnick Sarmenta has made every single spoken word an important puzzle piece, further proving the importance of subtitles to understand the substance of their conversation.

About Us But Not About Us is a masterpiece too ahead of its time. A super rare Filipino creation that needs moviegoers’ imagination and cooperation to intentionally hear the discussion deeply. Its not everybody’s cup of tea, but we should all be appreciative for how they have brilliantly pulled off a locally-produced conversational-only film.About Us But Not About Us is a masterpiece too ahead of its time. A super rare Filipino creation that needs moviegoers’ imagination and cooperation to intentionally hear the discussion deeply. Its not everybody’s cup of tea, but we should all be appreciative for how they have brilliantly pulled off a locally-produced conversational-only film.

#2023SummerMMFF: Love You Long Time

Two strangers from two different timelines met at the same time. A literal multiverse of romantic atrocities told in such a creative, exciting, and beautifully-messy technique—this is Love You For A Long Time 

The premise is plain. Everything will just have its significance when the two characters decided to meet for the very first time at a lone-coffee shop in the charming mountains of Baguio. Slow-paced to some, but the other half of the film showcases non-stop confessions after another confession to whom casual movie goers have little to no idea to. Carlo Aquino is the substance of this movie. His pleasing portrayal of the mysterious guy on the other line of the old phone contributed a lot to build up the warmth of the narrative. Her partner, Ana Abad-Santos, displayed a lot of potential with her clever acting capabilities. Though the script could’ve been fit to another sought-out actress, Ana’s act is still good for an amateur like her in the industry. The ensemble’s exhibition is actually just a minor issue compared to how big the plot of this film has to offer.

Love You For A Long Time is an occasional creation regretfully supported by a few. Some critics deemed this as the best entry in this year’s Summer Metro Manila Film Festival and I proudly stand beside them. I am still in awe that Filipinos can in fact, successfully pull off a fairytale-like story in a non-formulaic enactment. I once again believe in the power of local love stories.

 

#2023SummerMMFF: Unravel: A Swiss Side Love Story.

Unravel can pass as a satisfying travelogue that explores the breathtaking sceneries while stabbing your heart to its core. A love story what you thought to be cliché slowly reveals itself as a tale with a bold and loud theme.

Gerald Anderson is undeniably the ache of the plot. A great actor portraying a heavy role in such a moving and effective way. Kylie Padilla, on the contrary, is the masterful leading lady that will eat you up with her ambitious eye-acting that speaks for itself even without saying an actual line. Indeed, her chemistry with Gerald felt so natural on screen. All along you’ll get satisfied for the performance of the protagonists alone, but with the more on narrative about suicide, this Swiss-side love story has more to offer than what it seems on the surface.

A movie ticket to see Unravel is like paying a plane ticket Switzerland. The director will play with your emotions while putting a complicated smile in your face in this an hour and a half journey to the land where Assisted Voluntary Death is legal.
 

#2023SummerMMFF: Here Comes The Groom

The MMFF these past years selects comedy films which either has repetitive storylines or just dull as it is. Here Comes The Groom is unquestionably a breath of fresh air offering a distinctive plot that is enjoyable and meaningful exactly what it intended to be.

A strong element of this movie can be seen on how they have appropriately tackled sensitive topics such as homophobia, same-sex relationships, and the LGBT+ in general. I also adored how they have managed to suitably inserted conflicts between the LGBT+ community and the religious individuals in the storyline as lowkey as possible. More than its unique plot about the mystery of the Magnetic Hill, a talented ensemble, and the campy sequences, what makes this flick more special is they have properly executed everything in an entertaining manner without losing its substance. Here Comes The Groom is really a delicately fun ride.

Admit it or not, Here Comes The Bride is an icon that left a memorable mark in the comedy genre of the local industry. Its sequel may not pass its predecessor, but it is still a satisfying continuation perfect for the moviegoers’ hunger for a film laugh-worthy and has ethical sense.

First Ever Summer MMFF Winners

 

The night was about us as the movie About Us But Not About Us went home as the big winner of the first ever Summer Metro Manila Film Festival's Gabi ng Parangal held at the New Frontier Theater in Araneta City, Cubao last April 11. 

Out of the 15 awards given away that night, the thriller movie About Us But Not About Us bagged 10 awards, that includes the Best Screenplay, Cinematography, Editing, Production Design, Sound Design, Musical Score, Best Picture, Best Director for Jun Robles Lana, Special Jury Prize for Elijah Canlas, and Best Actor for Romnick Sarmenta. 

Meanwhile, Gladys Reyes was named as the first ever Best Actress of Summer MMFF, while Kaladkaren was named as the first ever transwoman that won the Best Supporting Actress in the MMFF. 

Kempee De Leon was named as the Best Supporting Actor for the movie Here Comes The Groom. 

The first ever Summer Film Festival will run until the 18th of April. 

#2023SummerMMFF: Single Bells

2 close friends looking for love, dating apps, breadwinner of the family, single awareness seminar, and everything in between—you name it, this film has it.

There's already a handful of titles about friends looking for their one true love, most of those are decent and has a  simple yet heartfelt storyline to back their movie up, but this flick from director Fifth Solomon is unfortunately can't have a seat with them in the list. 

It started with a comedic premise that could’ve worked if only it was executed properly because as clock ticks, each succeeding scenes became dull as you will see and hear the same old repetitive punchlines that have been used for films in the same genre a hundred times. Frankly, some jokes are witty but it is not enough to redeem the movie as a whole. also, the cinematography is actually pleasing and done right.

Comedy films should make you laugh, a genre whose intention is to bring joy. sadly, Single Bells will make you feel everything except that. to just flip the table, the official soundtrack of the movie is honestly good. one should hear it to have even an ounce of respect in tMMFFhis film.

#2023SummerMMFF: Yung Libro Sa Napanuod Ko

Its refreshing to see a well-known artist write, direct, and star in her own movie. It is like an exploration to the brain and the imagination of the author. A limitless wave of possibilities as its creator is the master of her own pool. But having the fullest control over everything also has its downside, for the possibility of a product failure is not far from happening.

Bela Padilla is likely the one-man band of this film. Though she is technically not the only star in this movie, but as what the plot served, it seemed like a film about her mind alone. The desperation of having a K-drama like story, feels, and twists fall short as this full feature gave nothing but snooze fest lines and scenes. It is also quite disappointing to shot almost 90% of the film in South Korea yet the cinematography doesn’t gave justice in this aspect especially those guerrilla shots that looked quite messy to watch.

Bela’s co-actor, Yoo-Min Go who is surprisingly Korean by blood, which could’ve been a nice factor, is likewise part of the disapproving list. Literally every single thing about this motion picture does not make sense including the symbol of the plot, the book.

Personally speaking, Bela Padilla’s directorial debut came a bit early. Her craft as an actress and a writer could’ve used a little more polishing to avoid total waste of creative expression, time, and of course money. I believe her generous heart and on fire passion is what the local film industry needs. Hoping that this drives her to continuously produce more cause I’m pretty sure her next will be a lot better than Yung Libro Sa Napanood Ko.

 

#2023SummerMMFF: Apag

I personally expected a little to none in this lonesome family drama entry in the 1st Summer Metro Manila Film Festival, but what they’ll serve you is indeed a feast of multiple proportions, the trailer of the movie did not even gave justice to what you will see for about an hour and a half. Apag felt like a combination of  themes from different international titles like The Menu and the critically acclaimed Parasite rolled into that Kapampangan movie. 

We really can't deny the directing prowess of the great Brillante Mendoza, was seen and felt throughout the mood and the setting of the story, everything that appeared on the screen does really make sense as Direk Brillante's narrative slowly builds up the foundation of the story until everything was revealed up until the shocking conclusion unfolds.

Although the narrative was good, the cinematography wasn't as good as the movie used too much one-take long shots that looked awkward and unpleasant, the desire of wanting to have a unique and aesthetic cinematography turned out to be shaky and pain in the eyes to watch as the shaking of the camera was too much. 

Thankfully, despite the failure of the visuals that was presented, Apag quickly redeemed itself with the plot twist that was executed well and was smoothly disclosed. 

When it comes to the acting department, hands down Ms. Gladys Reyes deserved the Best Actress plum that she received, Coco Martin's performance was a little toned down as I was expecting him to deliver intense performance that is worthy of atleast a nomination.  

The rest of the cast delivered well in this movie from Senator Lito Lapid, Jaclyn Jose, and Mercedes Cabral was astounding. Moreover, the whole cast speaking Kapampangan language during the entirety of the film was already a feat alone.

Apag was a respectable piece that showcased the culture, language, food, and the people of Pampanga. Though it is visually was quite disappointing, it can still pass as one of those movies that you’ll crave for after the credits starts to roll.

 

#2023SummerMMFF: Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko

A timeless classic written foru decades ago turned into a motion picture. Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko tells the life, the struggles and success, and the music of Reynaldo Valera Guardiano, more popularly known as Rey Valera. 

We know Rey Valera as the composer of several hit love songs specially during the 80's, we've seen him regularly on TV as a judge for several singing contest, but this time we are getting a closer and deeper view of what and who Rey Valera is before the limelight and beyond his music. 

We've seen International biopics, featuring several music legends such as Queen, Elvis, and Whitney Houston, that are commonly got a fast paced and straight to the point story telling of particular life events of the artist that made them the icons of today, but in the case of Kahit Maputi na ang Buhok Ko it was different. 

Although yes, the music of Rey Valera did catch my attention in the movie, still it was a hard sell for me to be a biopic, although there's a narration and an actual interview of how one song was written, what inspired him to write about it, there were lots of unnecessary scenes in the movie that made it look like a compiled Music Video or that video we see in a videoke machine that was turned into a movie.

Yes, it made me sing along to the classic and most iconic songs of Rey Valera in the movie, but to go through each one it felt like the movie was just extending the run time. However, on a lighter note, that boresome execution made me appreciate Rey Valera’s songwriting skills for I was amazed to know almost all songs he wrote despite the huge generation gap.

Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko can honestly fit into a single Maalala Mo Kaya episode. Not to discount Rey Valera’s life experiences, but his entire story to fame was not presented well enough in the movie to be as interesting as it should've been On the other hand, I would still like to acknowledge each person that made this movie possible as it is rare for local celebrities to get their life stories on the big screen,. 

 

Pixel 7a in Dinuguan Black!?

I've a Google Pixel User since late 2018 and for quite some time now, Made by Google has been naming the colors of their Pixel Phones in an unorthodox manner, from the Really Blue of the OG Pixel, the Kinda Blue of the Pixel 2, the Not Pink of the Pixel 3, the Oh So Orange of the Pixel 4, Sorta Sage of the Pixel 5.

To the more playful names of their Pixel 6 line with Sorta Seafoam, Kinda Coral, and Stormy Black of the regular model, while the Pros are called Sorta Sunny and Cloudy White, and the recently added were Obsidian, Lemongrass, and Snow for the Pixel 7 and Hazel for the Pro models.

This Summer, Google is all set to launch their newest budget king smartphone that will succeed the undeniable successful Pixel 6a, here comes the Pixel 7a, definitely another power house, but here's the catch the color names that has leaked got our heads turned as it's as playful now, with color name like Tide Orange, Crispy Kale, Mayo Cream, Vibrant Ube, but the one that caught our attention is definitely the DINUGUAN BLACK!

The Pixel Phones hasn't been officially launched here in the Philippines, the 5G network also has been software locked by google that's why Pixel 4a 5G upto the 7 Pro's 5G networks aren't working here in the country, would naming a Pixel phone Dinuguan Black finally a spark that Google will make the 5G network atleast be available in the Philippines?

The Pixel 7a is all set to launch at the Google I/O Summit this coming May 10, 2023 in the US.