The Metro Manila Film Festival is now 50 years old, and my memories rush in. When I was a young movie fan in grade school, I considered its precursor, the Manila Film Festival (MFF), a grand fiesta of Filipino films. I anticipated the event, reading about it in the weekly Manila publications Philippines Free Press,...
Author: Boy Villasanta (Boy Villasanta)
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How are seniors in show biz coping?
When journalist Lolly Rivera Acosta invited me to guest on her daily radio show “Sulong na, Bayan” over dwIZ, I quickly said yes. I was ready to talk about senior citizens in show biz precisely because I am one of them. I marked the milestone in 2014, in time for my presidency of the Lopez...
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That’s entertainment in politics
A certain Rosmar Tan, described as a social media influencer, is running for councilor in Manila in the May 2025 midterm elections. Here’s her sound bite: “Aanhin pa ang katalinuhan sa law o anuman po …” Or: What good is knowledgeability in law or whatever …? The lawyer Vince Tañada, who is also a movie and stage producer,...
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Cultural group Tribu in the glitz of showbiz
Show business isn’t only about Kathryn Bernardo and Dingdong Dantes, or about Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos. Nor is it only about ABS-CBN, GMA7, TV5, Viva Entertainment, UNTV, Star Cinema, Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), The Company, Gary Valenciano, Sarah Geronimo, etc. Show business is also about tenors Nazer Salcedo and Terence Gil Guillermo,...
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Why the local film industry isn’t dying (or the return of the Sinag Maynila Film Festival)
Who says Philippine cinema is dying, or in fact has died? On the contrary, many films were produced in 2023 and more are being made this year. In my Philippine cinema report of 2023 for the 2024 “Made in Asia” book of the 28th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival in Bucheon City, South Korea, it...
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Thoughts on the 20th Cinemalaya
The 2024 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival isn’t over yet. It concluded its official annual run last Aug. 11 at Ayala Malls Manila Bay and other cinemas, but there are still screenings reserved for some post-event schedules. And there are still thoughts left unsaid. Classified by a film buff as “The Best of Cinemalaya at...
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The world’s filmmaking giants gather in ‘Made in Asia’
There are two versions of “Made in Asia”—one a book (now an ebook) and the other a forum. It is both a compilation and a yearly business conference of like-minded individuals tackling the market trends in at least 14 filmmaking capitals in Asia—China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore, India, Thailand, Vietnam,...
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Bini’s charm and the road to P-pop stardom
True enough, the eight-member girl group was named after either from the first or from the last alliteration of “binibini” (Filipino word for a single woman, a young lady mostly described and alluded to a maiden), a reference to the modern Filipino woman as an independent, informed, sweet yet fierce individual. Without minding, though, the...
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Why Gawad Urian is a rare film awards night
The Gawad Urian of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (MPP) is a rare film recognition event in show business. Every year, the awards night of this group of critics is something to look forward to. Since the Urian’s inception in 1976, the state of the local movie industry has always been the central and confining...
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The Santacruzan as a year-round spectacle
This isn’t a stale story or one may say, news. As a matter of fact, it is still taking place, and there’s no off-season. Consider this perhaps an extension of Mayflower festivities prevalent in the month of May. No matter, however; even though it’s already June, others may argue this is timeless. Rain or shine,...