MOVIEGOERS can look forward to more Filipino films in April.

The Metro Manila Film Festival has unveiled the eight official entries to its summer edition this year.  

First on the list is “Apag” by Center Stage Production. It stars Coco Martin, Jaclyn Jose, Lito Lapid and Gladys Reyes, and is and directed by Brillante Mendoza. 

Comedy flick “Single Bells,” headlined by Alex Gonzaga, Angeline Quinto and Aljur Abrenica, also made the cut. Produced by Tincan, the movie is directed by Fifth Solomon. 

Seasoned actor Romnick Sarmenta makes a movie comeback via the film ““About Us But Not About Us,” where he will star with young actor Elijah Canlas.  It is produced by Octoberian Films, The Ideafirst Company and Quantum Films, and directed by Jun Robles Lana. 

Another entry that made the magic 8 is “Kahit Maputi na ang Buhok Ko (The Music of Rey Valera) starring RK Bagatsing and Meg Imperial. It is directed by Joven M. Tan under Saranggola Media Productions, Inc. 

The first movie collaboration of Gerald Anderson and Kylie Padilla, titled “Unravel: A Swiss Side Love Story,” is another entry to this year’s summer film fest. Produced by Mavx Productions, Inc. It is directed by RC delos Reyes. 

Enchong Dee, Keempee de Leon, Awra Briguela, Xilohuette, Maris Racal and Kalad Karen star in the flick “Here Comes The Groom,” produced by Quantum Films, Cineko Productions and Brightlight Productions.  It is directed by Chris Martinez.

Bela Padilla brings the love vibes all over again in the film “Yung Libro Sa Napanuod Ko,” which she headlines with Korean actor Yoo Min Gon. Bela herself directed the movie, which is produced by Viva Communications, Inc.

Carlo Aquino collaborates with actress Eisel Serrano in the JP Habac movie “Love You Long Time”  by Studio Three Sixty Inc. 

Reviving the film industry

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority acting chair Romando Artes,  earlier announced that it would hold a summer edition of the MMFF in April.

It received a total of 33 entries for the summer edition, the highest number so far in the history of MMFF. 

Artes, who is also the acting MMFF overall chairman, said that 23 of the entries are new films while the rest were resubmissions from last year’s festival. 

The first Summer MMFF will run in all cinemas nationwide from April 8 to 18. The Parade of Stars will be in Quezon City on April 1 while the Awards Night will happen on April 11.

The December edition of the MMFF was a success. 

The MMFF said it was able to reach its target gross sales of P500 million even if the country is still recovering from the pandemic.