Fantasy-adventure and horror flicks dominate the ongoing 2009 Metro Manila Film Festival box-office count.

"Ang Panday" continues to top the Festival with revenues amounting to over P20 million, this based on sales for the first three days of its national theater run (Dec. 25-27) according to Rolando Josef, executive director of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), which oversees the annual Festival.

Co-produced by Imus Productions and GMA Films, the movie stars Sen. Ramon 'Bong' Revilla Jr. reprising the role of Panday, previously played by the late Fernando Poe Jr.

At close second is Regal Entertainment's horror trilogy "Shake Rattle & Roll XI" with a total gross of P19.8 Million, while M-Zet, Octo Arts and APT Entertainment's "Ang Darling Kong Aswang" is not far behind at third with P18.5 Million showing.

The following movies round up the ranking of the seven MMFF official entries: Star Cinema's "I Love You Goodbye" at No. 4 with P17.9 M; RVQ Productions and Kaizz Ventures' "Nobody Nobody But Juan" at No. 5 with P10.2 M; Regal Entertainment's "Mano Po 6: A Mother's Love" at No. 6 with P10.1 M; and Solar Entertainment's "Wapakman" at No. 7 with 1.4 M.

Except for "Wapakman," the gaps between the first six films are relatively close.

"Mano Po 6: A Mother's Love," "Ang Panday," "Shake Rattle & Roll," and "I Love You Goodbye" are strong contenders for the Gatpuno Award and top three Best Picture trophies.

Actors Gabby Concepcion ("I Love You Goodbye") and Revilla ("Ang Panday") are vying for Best Actor while the Best Actress plum is a toss between Sharon Cuneta ("Mano Po 6: A Mother's Love") and Angelica Panganiban ("I Love You Goodbye").

Local cinemas are reserved exclusively for the MMFF entries during the festival dates. Hollywood movie fans will have to wait until the Festival run ends on Jan. 6 to see their favorite movies.