Laguna governor and "Boy Golden" star ER Ejercito once again
criticized the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) for its alleged
"palakasan" system concerning the theater distribution of competing
entries.
Ejercito, who previously starred in acclaimed MMFF entries "Manila
Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story" and "El Presidente," topbills the
action film "Boy Golden: The Arturo Porcuna Story."
The Chito Rono-directed movie is among the eight competing films in
this year's MMFF. It also stars KC Concepcion, John Estrada, Eddie
Garcia, Leo Martinez and Baron Geisler.
Speaking with showbiz reporters Jobert Sucaldito and Ahwel Paz on the
DZMM program "Mismo" on Thursday, Ejercito accused festival organizers
of giving an "unfair advantage" to established production companies and
films that star big names.
"Dapat pantay-pantay lahat ang walong pelikula," said Ejercito. "Pag
may Vic Sotto, Vice Ganda, Kris Aquino, eh 100 plus theaters na ang
bibigay sa iyo."
Sotto and Aquino co-star in the comedy film "My Little Bossings,"
while Vice Ganda topbills "Girl Boy Bakla Tomboy" -- both comedy films
competing in the 2013 MMFF.
According to Ejercito, each entry will be given, through a raffle, 44
theaters in Metro Manila. Films that will be shown outside this region
will be up to theater owners to decide.
"Paano naman kaming maliliit na artista? Governor lang naman ako," he quipped.
Ejercito also criticized the MMFF for supposedly failing to give an accurate depiction of first day box-office earnings, as it takes into account nationwide theaters.
"Tapos bibigay yung results sa first day, buong Pilipinas," he said. "Ano ba 'yun?"
The MMFF organizing committee has responded to the accusations, saying that provincial theaters are not under its jurisdiction.
Also competing in this year's MMFF is the action-thriller "10,000 Hours" starring Robin Padilla; and the lone horror film, "Pagpag," starring teen stars Kathryn Benardo and Daniel Padilla.
The comedy movie "Kimmy Dora: Ang Kiyemeng Prequel," the Francis Magalona-inspired dance musical "Kaleidoscope World," and "Pedro Calungsod: Batang Martir," a biopic of the saint, round up the eight entries.
Despite the supposed disadvantage of "Boy Golden" in the box-office race, Ejercito expressed confidence in the chances of his co-stars bagging awards at the MMFF.
"Nadaya 'yan pag hindi nanalo. Best director si Chito. Best actress si KC. Best supporting [actor] si John Estrada," he said.
