• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The highly-urbanized Bacolod is one of the three cities to host the 52nd Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) outside of Metro Manila on Dec. 11.
Mayor Greg Gasataya said July 8 that Bacolod has been chosen by the committee alongside San Juan City and Mandaluyong City, following the MMFF kickoff July 7.
“The rationale is that on December 11, they will bring celebrities who are part of the MMFF. There will be motorcades and a simultaneous launching in Metro Manila,” he said.
The mayor said that according to the committee, Bacolod is among the areas with most movie sales and even has its own Bacolod Film Festival.
He added that organizers will also help the locals in the film industry, through training.
“Bacolod City is supportive of this (initiative) since we just launched the G-Hive for our creative industries” June 29, the mayor said.
Gasataya said they will finalize all the details, adding he chose Dec. 11 for the launching since the city will also be hosting the opening of Batang Pinoy the next day.
Among the films slated for the annual festival are “Second Miracle in Cell #7”, starring Aga Muhlach; “Amir” led by Argus Aspiras, Dennis Trillo, Will Ashley, and Glaiza de Castro; “Haunted Carnival”, top-billed by James Reid, Julia Barreto, Fyang Smith, Maricel Soriano, and John Arcilla; and “The Greatest Showdown” showcasing Vic Sotto and Vice Ganda. | TMD
