HOOQ, Asia’s largest video-on-demand service, furthers its commitment in uplifting the quality of Filipino movies as it remained the exclusive presenter of the 42nd Metro Manila Film Festival and its New Wave category.
“In a year marked by big changes in the MMFF, we are proud to say that our full support for the premiere movie festival in the country has remained the same,” said Jane Cruz-Walker, HOOQ Philippines Country Manager. “We welcome another year of partnership with the Metro Manila Film Festival, and we are proud to be part of the festival as it takes brave new steps in focusing on quality films, fresh casting choices and new approaches to filmmaking.”
In his speech, Metro Manila Development Authority Thomas Orbos said,
“We are gathered here together not only to seek change but also to look back to the original theme of the MMFF which is to be a festival that celebrates Filipino artistic excellence. Change is never easy, it is a difficult path, but thanks to the MMFF Executive Committee we are here today amidst change. We believe that what we did with the MMFF this year may not be recognized now, but it will be appreciated by future generations. It is not about the money, it is about what we can give to our children later on by promoting quality films in the Philippines.”
2016 MMFF WINNERS AND STARS OF THE NIGHT
Erik Matti’s Seklusyon proved to be the big winner at the 42ND METRO MANILA FILM FESTIVAL GABI NG PARANGAL held December 29, 2016 at the Kia Theater, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City. The movie brought home eight awards including Best Director for Erik Matti; Best Supporting Actress Phoebe Walker; Special Jury Prize Rhed Bustamante; Best Screenplay; Best Sound; Best Production Design; Best Cinematography and Best Theme Song for Dominus Miserere.
Sunday Beauty Queen, the very first documentary to be included in the annual festival was chosen as Best Picture. It was also awarded with Best Editing, Children’s Choice Award and Gatpuno Antonio J Villegas Cultural Award.
Oro won the FPJ Memorial Award for Excellence, Best Cast Ensemble and the coveted Best Actress award for Irma Adlawan.
Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor awards were given to Paolo Ballesteros for his performance in Die Beautiful and newcomer Christian Bables for his role as Barbs respectively. Die Beautiful was the People’s Choice and Best Float awardee.
Live action animated film Saving Sally, another Children’s Choice awardee (along with Sunday Beauty Queen and Vince, Kath & James), was also took home the Best Musical Score award.
HOOQ likewise gave out its own set of awards for the Short Films category including:
- Best Screenplay: Mitatang
- Best Director: Jarell Serencio, Mga Bituin sa Siyudad
- Special Jury Prize: Manila Scream
- Best Picture: EJK
Ronnie Alonte and Rhian Ramos meanwhile, were recognized as the HOOQ Male and Female Celebrities of the Night for their stunning looks at the red carpet.
HOME OF THE MMFF WINNERS
HOOQ is the home of the largest collection of Pinoy movies and TV series spanning almost five decades, including close to a hundred winners and finalists of the Metro Manila Film Festival such as “Baler”, “Tanging Yaman”, “Muro Ami”, “Imortal”, the beloved franchises such as “Mano Po”, “Tanging Ina” “Shake, Rattle and Roll” and many more. New additions on HOOQ from the MMFF past entries include 2013’s “Pagpag: Siyam na Buhay”, “Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy” as well as the 2015 finalist “Haunted Mansion”.
According to Jeffrey Remigio, HOOQ Philippines Director of Content and Programming, they are adding more past MMFF winners to HOOQ’s carefully curated library of Filipino titles.
NEW PLATFORM FOR THE NEXT GEN FILMMAKERS
MMFF and HOOQ are also working together to encourage the next generation of movie makers through the HOOQ Short Films category. HOOQ awarded a host of Short Film prizes including the Special Jury Prize and the Best Short Film.
Each HOOQ Short Film was partnered with a long-form finalist and were screened during the MMFF regular theater run from December 25 to January 3. Each film runs under 5 minutes and most will be available on HOOQ shortly after conclusion of the Metro Manila Film Festival.
“Last year, we saw a lot of very interesting entries that surprised us with their quick narratives and creative storytelling techniques,” adds Remigio. “HOOQ believes in nurturing these next generation of film makers by providing them a platform where more audiences can view their movies. The world has begun to take notice of the best content Philippine cinema can offer, by supporting these young filmmakers, HOOQ is also investing in the future of entertainment.”
2016 MMFF PARADE OF STARS
The festival kicked off with the annual Parade of Stars on December 23 which began at the Manila City Hall at Nicanor Lopez Street and ended at Plaza Miranda—the original route used in the very first MMFF Float Parade.
Among the stars that participated in the Grand Parade of Stars were Nora Aunor, Eugene Domingo, Paolo Ballesteros, Kean Cipriano, Julia Barretto, Joshua Garcia, Ronnie Alonte, Dominic Roque, Mercedes Cabral and many others.
Bela Padilla also joined the parade aboard HOOQ’s OTJ float. Padilla is one of the lead stars of the upcoming series OTJ: The Missing 8, the very first original local content produced exclusively for the video on demand service.
HOOQ, a start-up venture between Singtel, Sony Pictures Television and Warner Bros., is an award-winning service that empowers customers with unlimited online streaming access and an offline viewing option to top Hollywood and Filipino movies and television shows, on any device including computers, smartphones tablets, and TV’s using casting devices such as Airplay and Chromecast.
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