35th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) - 2009 Movie Entries

MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando just announced the star-studded 8 official entries for the 35th Metro Manila Film Festival.

Here are the 8 official movie entries (in alphabetical order) for the 35th edition of Metro Manila Film Festival:

ANG DARLING KONG ASWANG
Produced: by OctoArts and M-Zet Productions
Starring: Vic Sotto
Directed by: Tony Y. Reyes

ANG PANDAY
Produced by: GMA Films and Imus Productions
Starring: Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr., Iza Calzado, Rhian Ramos, Geoff Eigenmann and Phillip Salvador.
Directed by: Mac Alejandre and Rico Gutierrez

IKAW NA NGA
Produced by: Star Cinema
Starring: Kim Chiu, Kris Aquino and Eugene Domingo
Directed by: Wenn V. Deramas

JUAN
Produced by: RVQ Productions
Starring: Dolphy and Willie Revillame
Directed by: Eric Quizon

MANO PO 6: MY MOTHER
Produced by: Regal Films
Starring: Sharon Cuneta
Directed by: Joel Lamangan

NIEVES: THE ENGKANTO SLAYER
Produced by: Regal Films and APT Production
Starring: Marian Rivera
Directed by: Mike Tuviera

SHAKE, RATTLE & ROLL XI
Produced by: Regal Films
Starring: Ruffa Gutierrez

WAPAKMAN
Produced by: Solar Films
Starring: Manny Pacquiao, Nicole Scherzinger and Batista
Directed by: Topel Lee

3 more films submitted for screening by the MMFF committee are:

2999 A LOVE STORY
Produced by: Unitel
Starring: Marvin Agustin, Nikki Gil and Tessie Tomas.
Directed: by Raul Jorolan

DANIEL RAPIDO
Produced by FCJ Film Production

I LOVE YOU…GOODBYE
Produced by Star Cinema
Starring: Gabby Concepcion, Angelica Panganiban, Kim Chiu and Derek Ramsay.
Directed by: Laurice Guillen

These three films are not official entries but they are still part of the MMFF screening that will open on January 1, 2010.

Chairman Bayani Fernando Wins "Celebrity Duets Season 2"

As expected by many, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando was declared winner in the second season of GMA-7's Celebrity Duets.

Chairman Fernando, also known as BF, won over fellow finalists comedian-TV host Joey Marquez and fashion designer JC Buendia after getting the most number of text votes.

The Finals Night was divided into two rounds.

In the first round, the three finalists sang with their favorite duet partners from their previous performances. Chairman Fernando chose Asia's Queen of Songs Pilita Corrales, and they sang the Filipino folk song "Ay, Ay, Ay, O Pag-ibig." Joey did a rendition of Kenny Rankin's "What Matters Most" with friend and Kung Ako Ikaw co-host Keempee de Leon. And lastly, JC took the stage once again with Allan K where they sang The Foundation's "Build Me Up Buttercup."

In the second round, the finalists sang with new duet partners. Joey was the first to perform with Concert Queen Pops Fernandez, and they sang Amii Stewart's "Friends." JC got sentimental while performing Frank Sinatra's "Just The Way You Look Tonight" with Jonalyn Viray. Finally, BF brought in veteran singer Basil Valdez and peformed Basil's song "Corner of the Sky."

BF, Joey, and JC, they were joined in the opening number by the eliminated contenders of Celebrity Duets—beauty and wellness guru Cory Quirino, chef JL Cang, soccer player Phil Younghusband, and former beauty queen Carlene Aguilar. Former Miss International Melanie Marquez, who was the first to be eliminated, was not able to attend the finals night.

Before the announcement of winner, Celebrity Duets hosts Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid performed with the three finalists to the tune of Neil Sedaka's "Laughter in the Rain."

The audience inside the Studio 3 pf GMA Network Center, where the Finals Night was held, was in full support for their favorite contender. Each group of supporters had a specific color-coding to distinguish them from one another: yellow for JC, violet for Joey, and pink for BF.

The loved ones of the three finalists were also there to cheer them on—JC's parents, Joey's children, and BF's wife Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando. Mayor Fernando was seated beside beauty expert Ricky Reyes and GMA-7's SVP for Entertainment TV Wilma Galvante.

As the winner of the second season of Celebrity Duets, Chairman Fernando won the one-million cash prize, half of which will go to his chosen beneficiaries—Caritas Manila and Child House.

Season 1 winner Tessa Prieto-Valdes was of the judges this season, along with composer Danny Tan and stage director Freddie Santos.