Controversies hound MMFF 2023
THIS year’s Metro-Manila Filmfest has not yet officially started but it’s already getting to be quite controversial. Ace director Chito Rono has been chose to be the chairman of the jurors who’ll choose the winners come the filmfest award night that will be held at the New Frontier Theatre on Wednesday, December 27.
Last year, it was director Laurice Guillen who headed the jury committee that also got a lot of flak for snubbing the heartwarming family movie, “Family Matters”, that was later on vindicated in other award-giving bodies this year.
The other jurors in this year’s board of judges reportedly complained when Chito Rono commented that “Mallari”, a period film starring Piolo Pascual is “Dreadful! Ang pangit ng Mallari at pinakapangit ang acting ni Piolo.”
Someone told us that the other jurors complained because of this. “Umalma sila kasi bakit daw kailangang mag-comment agad ang chairman nila,” says our source. “Dapat nga naman, he should have kept it to himself at sa deliberation nila niya ito ginagawa.”
They felt he is trying to influence the other jurors. They say he should be watching the entries just by himself and keep his comments to himself. We don’t know how true this is because we know Chito and he always conducts himself with the proper decorum. Maybe the MMFF committee in charge of the whole festival could clarify this.
Another concerned quarter said that Tirso Cruz III being the current head of the FDCP (Film Development Council of the Philippines) might exert undue influence for the entry “When I Met You in Tokyo” to also win come awards night.
It is said that both Tirso and his wife Lyn Ynchausti Cruz play important role in the movie as Edwin and Anita. And they might try to affect the decisions of the jurors in favor their movie.
Honestly, we think this is quite baseless. We don’t think Kuya Pip will risk staining his unsullied reputation just to make “When I Met You In Tokyo” bring home some awards. If ever the movie would get to win some trophies, we’re sure it’s because they deserve it, so let’s stop these useless speculations.
