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‘Firefly’ to be shown in more local cinemas

by Joanna Deala

MORE moviegoers will get the opportunity to watch the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) official entry “Firefly” on Christmas Day as it will now be shown in more cinemas.

This, after film enthusiasts clamored for additional screenings because the movie was initially set to premiere in only 12 movie houses.

An Instagram story by filmmaker Zig Dulay on Thursday said “Firefly” will now be screened in 41 cinemas nationwide, with 29 movie houses in Metro Manila, seven in Luzon, two in Cebu and three in Davao.

Some branches of big shopping centers such as Ayala Malls, SM Malls, and Robinsons were included in the list.

Mga kapitbahay, nadagdagan ulit sinehan sa Malolos at Dasma!” said Dulay.

In his December 20 Facebook post, the director thanked supportive moviegoers who urged for “Firefly” to be shown in more cinemas.

Marami[n]g-maraming salamat sa mga nakiisa at nakikalampag. Wala pa tayo sa kalahati ng bilang ng sinehan ng iba, pero laban lang!” he said.

“Firefly” is among the 10 official entries for this year’s MMFF, which will be held from December 25, 2023 to January 7, 2024.

The film will be headlined by Alessandra de Rossi, who will portray the role of Elay, along with Dingdong Dantes and Euwenn Mikael as adult and young Tonton, respectively.

They will be joined by Cherry Pie Picache, Yayo Aguila, Epy Quizon, Ysabel Ortega, Miguel Tanfelix and Kokoy de Santos.

About ‘Firefly’

Produced by GMA Network, the fantasy film will be told in the perspective of adult Tonton, who wished to be brave when he was younger. 

He recalls the time when he searched for the so-called “island of fireflies” that his mom Elay told him about in her bedtime stories. His mom claimed that his wish would come true once he reaches the mystical island.

Dulay dedicates “Firefly” to his mother who, he said, was his inspiration in making significant films and series.

In his November 29 Facebook post, the filmmaker recalled the sacrifices that his mother made to support her children all by herself.

N’ung nabubuhay pa ang nanay ko, alam ko at sigurado ako na ginagawa niya ang lahat para mabuhay kaming mga anak niya. Mahirap ‘yun lalo na’t naunang nawala ang tatay ko, tapos dahil hindi naman siya nakapag-aral, wala siyang regularna trabaho at lagi lamang siyang dumidiskarte,” he narrated.

He continued, “Siya ang nagsilbing patunay sa akin na totoo ang mga superheroes na napapanood sa mga pelikula.”

Dulay recalled when his mother expressed how proud she was of the director when she saw his interview on a television news-magazine show while she was in a hospital.

Kahit nanghihina daw siya n’un, para siyang nagkaroon ng lakas, tumayo siya at lumapit sa TV tapos sinasabi niya daw nang paulit-ulit sa mga kapwa niya pasyente, ‘Anak ko ‘yan, anak ko ‘yan!” he said.

The “Firefly” director ended his post by saying that he always wishes to make his mom proud and thanked her for guiding him.

Salamat sa laging paggabay, Inang. Para sa’yo ang Firefly,” he said.

“Firefly” also has a physical book of the same title written by Augie Rivera, based on the original story of Anj Atienza. The book was illustrated by Aldy Aguirre.

Viewers will see how the book is connected to Tonton’s journey of finding the “island of fireflies” in the movie, according to Dulay.

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