(From left) Ruben Nepales, MIFF co-founder and media consultant, hosts a Q&A forum with Filipino celebrities Jun Robles Lana, Romnick Sarmenta and Perci Intalan. PHOTO: PHILLIP NER

LOS ANGELES – Filipino stars and filmmakers, including Romnick Sarmenta, Enchong Dee, Kaladkaren and Eisel Serrano, headlined the launch of the inaugural Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) at the Directors Guild of America on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles last Nov. 2.

“I believe it’s time for the voices of Filipino directors, writers and storytellers to be heard worldwide,” said Sarmenta during the event that was launched as the global edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

Sarmenta won as Best Actor in the MMFF summer edition for his performance in Jun Robles Lana’s “About Us But Not About Us.”

During the launch, it was announced that multi-awarded actress Hilda Koronel will be honored with the first Monty Manibog Lifetime Achievement Award. The award will be formally presented to Koronel at the MIFF closing night and awards gala on Feb. 2.

MIFF Chairman Omen Ortiz said the award was named after the late humanitarian and lawyer Gonzalo “Monty” Manibog, the first Filipino-American to become an elected official in Southern California and the first Fil-Am mayor in the continental United States.

MIFF Executive Producer Lisa Lew (left) poses with Hilda Koronel, who will receive the Monty Manibog Lifetime Achievement Award at the MIFF closing night and awards gala on Feb. 2. The inaugural award was named after Lew’s father, the late Gonzalo “Monty” Manibog, the first Filipino American to become an elected official in Southern California. PHOTO: PHILLIP NER

Koronel has starred in at least 45 films since 1970, receiving numerous acting awards, including MMFF Best Actress for “Insiang” in 1976 and Best Supporting Actress for “Crying Ladies” in 2003.

Fil-Am celebrities in Hollywood, Tia Carrere and Reggie Lee, joined the stars from Manila to show support for the MIFF and its mission to showcase, promote and help uplift Filipino films.

Filipino actor Iñigo Pascual at the red carpet during the launch of the Metro Manila International Film Festival in Los Angeles. PHOTO: PHILLIP NER

Carrere is known for her breakthrough role as Cassandra in “Wayne’s World” and “Wayne’s World 2” and her femme fatale role in “True Lies” opposite Arnold Schwarzenneger. Lee is known for “Grimm” (2011), “All Rise” (2019) and “The Lincoln Lawyer” (2022).

Also spotted on the red carpet was actor Iñigo Pascual, who made his Hollywood debut in the TV series “Monarch.”

Enchong Dee and Kaladkaren pose on the red carpet. PHOTO: PHILLIP NER

The filmmakers on the red carpet included Lana, Perci Intalan and Jaime Habac Jr. Also in attendance were lawyer Romando Artes, head of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and chairman of the MMFF, and lawyer Rochelle Ona, MMFF executive director.

Time for Filipinos to shine

“I’m so proud to see many great talents in our country as it is truly time for Filipinos to shine in the global entertainment space,” said Van Dichoso of RiverRock Films, one of the Hollywood producers who attended the event.

It was launched with a screening of three films chosen from eight entries in the inaugural summer edition of MMFF held last April in the Philippines.

Filipino celebrities (from left) Romnick Sarmenta, Kaladkaren, Eisel Serrano and Enchong Dee, with MIFF Co-founder and Media Consultant Janet Nepales, headline the MIFF launch. PHOTO: PHILLIP NER

The three films were:

• “About Us But Not About Us” starring Romnick Sarmenta and Elijah Canlas, directed by Jun Lana
• “Here Comes the Groom” starring Enchong Dee, Kaladkaren, Miles Ocampo and Gladys Reyes, directed by Chris Martinez
• “Love You Long Time” starring Carlo Aquino, Eisel Serrano and Ana Abad Santos, directed by Jaime Habac Jr.

Early next year, the inaugural MIFF will also screen 10 2023 MMFF entries, including films starring Vilma Santos, Alden Richards, Sharon Cuneta and Marian Rivera.

Hollywood stars Reggie Lee (left) and Tia Carrere, with marketing guru Rembrandt Flores (center), show support for the MIFF. PHOTO: PHILLIP NER

The screenings are scheduled for January 30 and 31 and February 1 and 2, 2024.

The MIFF founders are Omen Ortiz, chairman; Ebradu Udarbe, president; Lisa Lew, executive producer; Ruben Nepales and Janet Nepales, media relations consultants; and Celia Abaya Dy, ticketing manager. Also on the MIFF team are Leo Dela Cruz, chief financial officer; Erickson Ilog, chief operations officer; Ron Ramores, chief marketing officer; Cindy Sison, consultant; and Meriden Angeles, coordinator.

More details about the screenings are available at manilainternationalfilmfest.com