Virtual Christmas filmfest kicks off today

“An escape from reality is just what we need in these emotionally disconcerting times,” observes Random Minds president/managing director Allan Villegas.
The way it developed, the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival re-branding in favor of no-big stars independent films proved to be a positive development: It expanded entertainment possibilities this Christmas season. A virtual filmfest of selected unaccepted entries and MMFF-exempted films with confirmed release dates start before the official filmfest.
A highlight is the screening of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story that opens on December 15 and will screen at Imax theaters beginning 2016 MMFF. The first stand-alone sequel of the space opera, the plot, characters and music are all new. Rebel Alliance recruits Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) and Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) team up to steal the design of the Empire’s new superweapon, the Death Star.
It kicks off with Vic Sotto’s Enteng Kabisote 10 and the Abangers and Vice Ganda and Coco Martin’s The Super Parental Guardians that simultaneously open today, November 30. Their competition for ticket sales supremacy is back!
Helmed by Marlon Rivera and Tony Y. Reyes, the riotous Enteng Kabisote 10 and the Abangers reprises Vic’s all-time favorite character and re-introduces his lady love, Faye. Featuring the Abangers, the seven escapees from Encantadia, the movie is made dazzling with superior animation and other special effects.
Directed by Joyce Bernal, the uproarious The Super Parental Guardians follows the ups and downs of Paco (Coco), a handsome gang boss who fends for his orphaned nephews (Onyok Pineda and Awra Briguela) with Arci (Vice), a loud but good-hearted gay family friend.
This will be followed by Richard Yap’s mesmerizing Mano Po 7: Tsinoy as helmed by Ian Lorenos on December 14. It is  a fresh take on the male side of the previously all-female side of the Filipino-Chinese family saga.
A Parade of Stars just about completes the pre-MMFF crop’s MMFF appeal.
As the provincial theater circuit is not covered by the MMFF, these features are likely to continue screening, depending on demand, even during the official filmfest’s run.
Screenings of Ai-Ai de las Alas’ My Mighty Yaya, as megged by Joey Reyes, and Vhong Navarro’s Mang Kepweng Returns, a rehash of Chiquito’s iconic quack doctor character as directed by G.B. Sampedro, follow after the official filmfest.
Who says Pinoy Christmas this year will not be the merriest?
BASIL, CELESTE & BITUIN FOR SMART SOCIAL CHANGE. Smart Infinity, along with PLDT-Smart Foundation and One Meralco Foundation, presented “Love in Abundance: An Outpouring of Blessings,” a dinner-concert staged to raise funds for Caritas Manila’s youth scholars.
The benefit, which featured the inspirational music of composer and musician Ryan Cayabyab, was held at the Grand Ballroom, Shangri-La at the Fort, Bonifacio Global City. The show, directed by Floy Quintos, featured performances by Bo Cerrudo, Celeste Legaspi, Bituin Escalante, Esang de Torres and Basil Valdez accompanied by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.
“We are very grateful to Smart Infinity, PLDT-Smart Foundation and One Meralco Foundation for their valuable support to our efforts,” said Caritas Manila executive director Rev. Fr. Anton CT Pascual.
Youth Servant Leadership and Education Program is the flagship program of Caritas Manila, which extends financial assistance to poor but deserving students and trains and hones the youth not only for academic excellence, but also to become responsible members of the community.
To date, Caritas Manila has produced over 10,000 graduates and continues to provide educational assistance, values formation workshops and leadership trainings to almost 5,000 students nationwide with an average of 300 college and technical/vocational graduates yearly.
Entrepreneurs, art patrons, and Smart Infinity Ambassadors, Raul and Joanna Francisco, graced the event to show their support for the brand’s advocacy.
“We are very proud to be ambassadors for a brand that has a heart. Smart Infinity consistently leads the change by helping provide an education for disadvantaged children, ensuring that their futures will be better & brighter. Giving them a chance to lead a better life. To whom much is given, much is required — therefore, together with Smart Infinity, we believe in sharing our blessings and paying it forward,” said Raul.
“We, at Smart Infinity, believe in empowering our members to lead through personalized mobile services and rewarding experiences allowing them to succeed not just in their personal and professional lives but also making a significant impact in the lives of others” said Julie Carceller, head of Smart’s Multi-Segment Marketing.
Smart Infinity members were provided access to “Love in Abundance” through the exclusive Smart Infinity Lifestyle App. Being a member of Smart Infinity includes having personalized service, a dedicated hotline (*800) and VIP assistance at stores.
For more information on Smart Infinity, please call 848-8806, e-mail infinitysupport@smart.com.ph, or visit the Smart Infinity website at www.smart.com.ph/infinity.
 
VINCENT SOBERANO’S ‘BLOOD HUNTERS’ VICTORIOUS. Blood Hunters, a film written, produced and directed by Filipino filmmaker and martial arts action star Vincent Soberano, won the coveted Best Short Film 2016 trophy at the prestigious Cinemax HBO Action Film Competition and the Urban Action Showcase and Expo held at AMC 25 Theaters, Times Square, New York City, New York, USA.
Blood Hunters, which melds fantasy, action and martial arts, tells the story of a rugged band of demon hunters who capture an Aswang queen to extract her blood, which is known to bring the dead back to life. When greed and betrayal gets in the way, mayhem ensues between the hunters. The Aswang escapes to face off with them in a final, action-packed showdown.
Vincent has made two other action films this year. The latest one is the full-length version of the short film starring martial arts legend Monsour del Rosario in his return to a leading role on the silver screen. Vincent will also star alongside Monsour, supported by a cast of real Filipino Martial Arts masters and experts. This project is due to be released in 2017.
Vincent is a former Muay Thai world champion with multiple championship belts who also coaches several fighters in the UFC. Now he is mainly dedicated to representing martial arts in movies. He has recently worked on notable projects such as Jackie Chan’s “Police Story 2013” and the UFC’s “Ultimate Fighter (China) — Season One” reality TV show. Vincent studied film and television arts at San Diego State University, California and currently owns IndieGo Pictures Entertainment, an independent film company based in Beijing, China.