ToFarm Film Fest!

The first ever filmfest showcasing the lives and stories of Filipino farmers opened last night at SM Megamall Cinema 7. Everything was fresh and green at the entrance and even the cocktails matched the theme.

Premier director Maryo J. Delos Reyes serves as ToFarm Festival's director. He says this is a unique project and he's happy to be part of it.

To stir about nostalgia, an exclusive screening of a LVN's 1959 classic "Biyaya ng Lupa" marked the opening of the festival. Produced by LVN Pictures and directed by Manuel Silos, it was the most nominated film in the 1960 FAMAS Awards where it won Best Picture and Best Original Story. It was nominated for Best Film in Berlin that same year, and bagged Best Supporting Actor (c/o Leroy Salvador) in the Asian Film Fest.

It was so cool Rosa Rosal, Marita Zobel, and their other co-stars were present for the mini-reunion. 

I hope the entries in this new festival could be as successful as "Biyaya ng Lupa" 

You may catch your favorite entries at SM North Edsa and SM Megamall at 11AM, 1:30 PM, 4:00 PM, 6:30 PM & 9:00 PM. You only have to pay 750 pesos if you want to see all the entries (via e-pass); you'll get to save around 500php.  

So take your pick! Vote for your favorite film for the Audience Choice Award on July 20th. Simply drop your movie tickets at drop boxes at SM Cinemas (bonus: 11am tickets are worth 2points! So it's better to watch the brunch show if you intend to vote. haha)

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LKNA boldly faces off Star Wars this 2016

Three directors including Mark Meily and Chris Martinez present Bob Ong's "Lumayo Ka nga sa Akin" this January. It's a trilogy rolling comedy, action, horror and drama into one. 

Meily says this format suits the modern attention span. With their background in advertising, the three directors hit the spot

Meily's episode 1 "Bala sa Bala, Kamao sa Kamao, Satsat sa Satsat" features veteran comedians Benjie Paras and Candy Pangilinan.

I must say they unexpectedly look good together as a love team! An unlikely survivor of a massacre after his church wedding (Paras) falls in love with a famous actress (Pangilinan) who unwittingly leads him to the drug lord who caused all the trouble. P for power!:)

The second episode "Shake, Shaker, Shakest" features award-winning actress Maricel Soriano after her break from the silver screen.

It's a haunted house tale reminiscent of Soriano's horror films in the past. I hope they include Manilyn Reynes and Tina Paner next time :p

Meanwhile, Martinez handles episode 3, a soap-opera parody entitled "Asawa ni Marie"  

It's a hilarious love quadrangle story involving the poor farmgirl Marie played by Cristine Reyes. 

Martinez shares he disciplined himself to wrap up the story in 40mins. He is hopeful that in this format "We have more variety in terms of stories coz we have a lot of stories to tell."

Lumayo Ka Nga sa Akin is still showing in local cinemas.

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