National Artist Eddie Romero, chairman of the 2009 MMFF Board of Jurors.

Two years ago, the choosing of the Best Picture in the Metro Manila Film Festival became controversial because of one of the criteria, that 40% of the score should be based on commercial viability. Last year, the criterion was raised to 50%. But despite its unpopularity among movie people, and amidst protests, then Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando stood by it because the festival’s goal he said was to raise as much income as possible for its beneficiaries, among them the Mowelfund, the Anti-Film Piracy Council, the Optical Media Board, the Film Academy of the Philippines, and the Presidential Social Fund.

During its initial meeting last Wednesday (Dec. 16) at the office of the new MMDA Chairman, former Judge Oscar Inocentes, the Board of Jurors of this year’s MMFF discussed the criteria for the 17 awards categories, most especially that of the Best Festival Picture.

The criteria for this major award category remains the same as last year, that judging for the Best Festival Picture should be based on the following: (A) Artistry, creativity and technical excellence, innovativeness and global appeal (40%), (B) Box-Office earning on the first three days, Dec. 25-27 (50%), and (C) Filipino, Cultural and/or Historical Value (10%).

Whatever feelings they have about it, the jurors couldn’t do anything. Any changes thereof couldn’t be made anymore at this time because it is the Executive Committee which formulates the criteria and guidelines for the nominations, judging and tabulation of the votes for the various award categories. Maybe for next year’s MMFF, something should be done to revise the criteria.

Anyway, there are fewer entries this year, only seven of them – ABS-CBN Film Productions’ “I Love You Goodbye,” GMA Films/Imus Productions’ “Panday,” Octoarts Films/M-Zet Productions/APT Entertainments’ “Ang Darling Kong Aswang,” Regal Films’ “Mano Po 6 (My Mother)” and “Shake, Rattle & Roll,” RVQ Productions/Kaizz Ventures’ “Nobody, Nobody But Juan,” and Solar Entertainments’ “Wapakman.” The jurors started screening the seven entries yesterday (December 18).

The 2009 MMFF Awards Night will be held on Dec. 28.

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Special screenings set for ‘Sagrada Familia’

Director Joel C. Lamangan’s highly-charged drama, “Sagrada Familia,” will hold special screenings on Dec. 23 at Robinsons Galleria Cinema 3 in Ortigas Center.

“Sagrada Familia” is a film about a family that crumbles when the mother (played by Snooky Serna) goes abroad as an OFW to fulfill dreams of financial stability for her family. She leaves her family under the care of her mother-in-law (Gloria Diaz). The husband (Emilio Garcia) feeling abandoned and unhappy, takes it out on their only daughter (Lovi Poe), and he physically and emotionally abuses her, leading to their family’s destruction. When the mother returns, devastation awaits her.

“Sagrada Familia” also stars Robert Arevalo, Jim Pebanco, Rico Barrera and Felix Roco. The film consists of a cast of award-winning thespians. Snooky Serna, Emilio Garcia, Gloria Diaz, Robert Arevalo and Lovi Poe are all award-winning actors. The film’s screenplay was written by multi-awarded screenwriter Racquel Villavicencio, from a story conceived by Villavicencio and Lamangan.

The film is the initial venture of Legalas Entertainment Production, line produced by Dennis Evangelista, under the direction of Lamangan.

“Sagrada Familia’s” first special screening on Wednesday will be at 5 p.m., while the VIP and celebrity night will be at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the box-office gate. The screenings are presented by Manila Bulletin, Cherubim Manpower, Inc. and LVD Multi-media.

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Exploring your child’s creativity through colors

From the pigeonhole:

It was a weekend of fun, creativity and color when Smarties and Kids Watch Central joined hands in staging the Family Fun Summit, an event that aims to help parents unlock their children’s potential for success via time management.

Held at the Ark Avilon Zoo in Tiendesitas, Ortigas, the highly-successful affair was attended by scores of parents, kids and teachers who had a blast as they took part in the numerous exciting activities, which was highlighted by the Smarties Coloring Contest. The very engaging and educational coloring activity enabled children to explore their creativity and imagination using the fun colors of Smarties – red, blue, yellow, orange, violet, brown, pink and green. Children were given sheets with animal designs along with crayons, beads and other colorful art materials to help them unleash their ingenuity and creativity.

The event also served to introduce to parents Smarties with No Artificial Colours. “Smarties with No Artificial Colours is Nestlé’s response to consumer preference for fewer synthetic ingredients,” says Nestlé confectionery business manager Manolo de Leon. He was joined by Nestlé confectionery consumer marketing manager Jag Villapando, Smarties consumer marketing specialist Genie Melendres and Kids Watch Central marketing director Kelvin Ngo.

Teachers and parents appreciated the event especially since the children were immediately drawn to the wide variety of colors. This encouraged them to delve into their creative side by using their imagination to come up with a piece of art. The activity provided a venue for children to unleash their creativity.

At the end of the affair, all the participants were one in saying that they had a fun and educational weekend as they took pleasure in discovering their creativity through colors and enjoying Smarties with No Artificial Colours.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Dec. 19 go to Mrs. Erlinda “Liding” Oledan, Lyanne Gonzalez, Geronimo Tabios, Junie Siytangco and Abraham S. Divina Jr. Happy wedding anniversary to Juan and Anna Liza Papera.