The most in-demand film festival in the Philippines is back and bigger than ever! Welcome to the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival or the MMFF 2023: An annual celebration of the country’s cinema industry and a tradition for Filipinos to watch the lineup starting Christmas Day. This year’s MMFF will be showing 10 films instead of the usual eight and will run from December 25, 2023 to January 7, 2024—all of which you can watch on SM Cinemas nationwide! Wondering what they are, who are the cast members, and what’s suited for you and your loved ones?
Here’s everything you need to know about the MMFF 2023 movies:
Mallari
Cast: Piolo Pascual, Janella Salvador, Elise Joson, JC Santos, Gloria Diaz
Director: Derrick Cabrido
Genre: Horror
MTRCB rating: R-rated
In this hair-raising horror movie, Piolo Pascual makes his debut in the genre as three characters in three different timelines. One of them is Fr. Juan Severino Mallari, the country’s first recorded serial killer who reportedly murdered 57 people before he got imprisoned and eventually executed. The classic storytelling of Mallari will give anyone goosebumps, especially since it’s partly based on the untold true story of the Filipino priest.
Fun fact: A village was specifically built for this project!
[Trailer link: https://youtu.be/MlxxhaggsfM]
(K)Ampon
Cast: Derek Ramsay, Beauty Gonzales, Zeinab Harake, Erin Espiritu
Director: King Palisoc
Genre: Horror
MTRCB rating: R-rated
What would you do if an orphan suddenly appeared at your door one rainy night? For childless couple Clark (Derek Ramsay) and Eileen (Beauty Gonzales), it’s to welcome her with open arms and love her as if she’s their own. But they soon get entangled in a series of unfortunate events, and Clark blames the kid who entered their lives. (K)Ampon took four years of production before it was released as a full-length movie.
[Trailer link: https://youtu.be/hDOBQqfAPto]
Becky And Badette
Cast: Pokwang, Eugene Domingo, Agot Isidro, Romnick Sarmenta
Director: Jun Luna
Genre: Comedy
MTRCB rating: PG-rated
Ready to laugh until your stomach hurts? Watch Becky and Badette, a feel-good film about two BFFs. They trended on social after creating ~fake~ stories about their batchmate in high school who shamed them during a reunion. Aside from having an all-star cast (Iza Calzado, Gladys Reyes, and Moira Dela Torre in one motion picture? WOW!), Becky And Badette has references to the iconic movie scenes of Sharon Cuneta, Maricel Soriano, and the late Dolphy!
[Trailer link: https://youtu.be/8AYzfGVYO8w]
Broken Heart’s Trip
Cast: Christian Bables, Jaclyn Jose, Teejay Marquez
Director: Lemuel Lorca
Genre: Comedy, Drama
MTRCB rating: PG-rated
Where do broken hearts go? On a healing adventure around the Philippines! Broken Heart's Trip shines the spotlight on the LGBTQ+ community through a reality show that helps them move on from the past while promoting the country's tourist attractions. The prize? A staggering one million pesos which you can only get if you didn't fall in love throughout the journey.
[Trailer link: https://youtu.be/rIBbKudebUM]
When I Met You In Tokyo
Cast: Vilma Santos-Recto, Christopher de Leon, Cassy Legaspi, Darren Espanto
Director: Rommel Penesa and Conrado Peru
Genre: Romance
MTRCB rating: PG-rated
All hail the legendary ‘70s loveteam for all seasons, Vilma and Boyet! When I Met You In Tokyo serves as their reunion project which tells the tale of two elderly workers. While they share the same birth date (both are Scorpios in the movie and also in real life!), their views on love contradict each other—one is hopeful while the other is anti-romantic.
[Trailer link: https://youtu.be/DHvrBfDhsBM]
Rewind
Cast: Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes, Lito Pimentel, Ariel Ureta, Pepe Herrera, Sue Ramirez
Director: May Cruz-Alviar
Genre: Romance
MTRCB rating: PG-rated
13 years after the success of their film You Are My Everything, the loveteam-turned-real-life-couple DongYan stars in another movie titled Rewind. The film is about John (Dingdong Dantes) and Mary (Marian Rivera) who are experiencing turbulence in their marriage. Mary got into a car accident which led to John losing her but like what the movie’s name suggests, he will get the chance to turn back time and make things right.
[Trailer link: https://youtu.be/_31Tod1VvLM]
Firefly
Cast: Alessandra de Rossi, Dingdong Dantes, Cherry Pie Picache, Miguel Tanfelix, Euwenn Mikaell
Director: Zig Dulay
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
MTRCB rating: PG-rated
Life was simple yet happy back when Tonton (Euwenn Mikaell)’s mom, Elay (Alessandra de Rossi), was still alive. She would tell stories to him as much as she could before she passed away, such as the narrative of the firefly. Now that she’s gone, Tonton thinks that he can help bring his mom back once he discovers the island of fireflies. Firefly is a heartwarming movie that teaches us how to be brave in times of despair—all for the sake of love.
[Trailer link: https://youtu.be/pJ4H5-YOH2U]
Family Of Two
Cast: Sharon Cuneta, Alden Richards, Miles Ocampo, Jackie Lou Blanco, Tonton Gutierrez
Director: Nuel Crisostomo Naval
Genre: Drama
MTRCB rating: G-rated
We all want the best for our moms, such as in the case of Mateo (Alden Richards). He’s looking for a partner for his widowed mother (Sharon Cuneta) via a dating app before he migrates to Singapore with his girlfriend (Miles Ocampo). Prepare your tissues when you watch this mother-and-son film with the family as you relate to their situations in some ways.
[Trailer link: https://youtu.be/PkJIUqqT8F0]
Penduko
Cast: Matteo Guidicelli, Cristine Reyes, Empoy Marquez, Kylie Versoza, John Arcilla
Director: Jason Paul Laxamana
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
MTRCB rating: G-rated
The return of the iconic Pinoy superhero is here! Matteo Guidicelli plays the titular role of Pedro Penduko, a restaurant employee raised abroad and is called a coward by those around him. Upon realizing that he’s gifted with superpowers, he goes back to the Philippines and begins his adventure in the underworld. However, he gets confused with his intentions while fighting demons.
[Trailer link: https://youtu.be/RNlhIuBdeoo]
Enjoy these MMFF 2023 movies at SM Cinema with Snack Time! Choose from burgers, beef franks, nachos, flavored fries, and popcorn, and take your pick from their long list of beverages. For more updates on the latest movies at SM Cinema, head over to www.smsupermalls.com and follow @smsupermalls on social media.
