Piolo Pascual, Dingdong Dantes to lead stars on the red carpet in Hollywood

LOS ANGELES – Filipino stars and filmmakers are coming to Hollywood to attend the inaugural Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2.

A partial list of stars flying from the Philippines to attend the MIFF includes Piolo Pascual, Dingdong Dantes, Christopher de Leon, Eugene Domingo, Enchong Dee, Janella Salvador, John Arcilla and Ysabel Ortega.

These celebrities will grace the screenings and Q&As of the 10 films that will be featured at the MIFF. They will also walk the red carpet at the star-studded closing night awards gala and attend other exciting events during the five-day film festival in Los Angeles.

Dingdong Dantes will introduce “Rewind” before the 8:35 p.m. screening on Monday, Jan. 29. CONTRIBUTED

The 10 films in the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival – with a box office achievement reaching more than P1 billion, making it the biggest-grossing edition in the festival’s half-a-century history – will make their US premiere at the MIFF.

The Filipino celebrities will either introduce their films before the screenings or participate in Q&As after the screenings at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

A partial list of talents coming from the Philippines includes the following stars and filmmakers, who will represent their movies at the MIFF:

“Becky & Badette” – Eugene Domingo, lead actress, and Perci Intalan, executive producer. Eugene and Perci will introduce “Becky & Badette” before the 8:55 p.m. screening on Wednesday, Jan. 31.

“Broken Heart’s Trip” – Christian Bables, lead actor; Andoy Ranay, supporting actor; Benjie Cabrera and Omar Tolentino, executive producers. Christian, Andoy, Benjie and Omar will participate in a Q&A after the 7:25 p.m. screening on Tuesday, Jan. 30.

“Family of Two” – pending confirmation

Piolo Pascual will participate in a Q&A after the 7:25 p.m. screening of “Gomburza” on Thursday, Feb. 1. CONTRIBUTED

“Firefly” – Ysabel Ortega, supporting actress; Dingdong Dantes, actor (special participation); and Anj Atienza, writer. Ysabel will participate in a Q&A after the 5:55 p.m. screening on Tuesday, Jan. 30.

“GomBurZa” – Enchong Dee and Cedric Juan, lead actors; Piolo Pascual, supporting actor; and Pepe Diokno, director. Enchong, Cedric, Piolo and Pepe will participate in a Q&A after the 7:25 p.m. screening on Thursday, Feb. 1.

“(K)Ampon” – Beauty Gonzalez, lead actress, and Joji Alonso, producer. Beauty and Joji will introduce “(K)Ampon” before the 8:55 p.m. screening on Tuesday, Jan. 30.

“Mallari” – Piolo Pascual, lead actor; Janella Salvador, lead actress; Derick Cabrido, director; and Brian Dy, producer. Piolo, Janella and Derick will participate in a Q&A after the 7:25 p.m. screening on Monday, Jan. 29.

“Penduko” – John Arcilla, supporting actor. John will introduce “Penduko” before the 8:50 p.m. screening on Thursday, Feb. 1.

“Rewind” – Dingdong Dantes, lead actor. Dingdong will introduce “Rewind” before the 8:35 p.m. screening on Monday, Jan. 29.

“When I Met You in Tokyo” – Christopher de Leon, lead actor, and Karishma Gidwani, executive producer. Christopher and Karishma will participate in a Q&A after the 7:25 p.m. screening on Wednesday, Jan. 31.

Christopher de Leon will participate in a Q&A after the 7:25 p.m. screening of “When I Met You in Tokyo” on Wednesday, Jan. 31. CONTRIBUTED

The stars and filmmakers will make an appearance at the screenings above.

The 10 films will have two other screenings – including simultaneous screenings on Feb. 2 at both the TCL Chinese Theatres and DGA – during the festival.

The complete screening schedule and ticket information are available here.

The public can also buy limited tickets to the glittering closing night awards gala and see the stars, filmmakers and celebrities in person on Friday, Feb. 2, at 6 p.m. at the Directors Guild of America on famed Sunset Boulevard.

The star-studded gala features a red carpet, cocktails, an awards show and a dinner/after-party.

Limited tickets to the gala are available here.

MIFF awards

Nine MIFF awards, including Best Picture, voted by an independent jury of respected professionals in film, will be announced.

As previously announced, acclaimed veteran actress Hilda Koronel will receive the inaugural Monty Manibog Lifetime Achievement Award, named after the late outstanding community leader, public servant and Olympian.

An audience award, voted by MIFF moviegoers at the screenings, will be given to a movie that gets the highest score.

Eugene Domingo will introduce “Becky & Badette” before the 8:55 p.m. screening on Wednesday, Jan. 31. CONTRIBUTED

The MMFF team will be represented by Romando “Don” Artes, chairman; Tim Orbos, executive committee member and former transportation undersecretary; Atty. Rochelle Macapili-Ona, executive director; Irene Jose, executive committee member and COO of The Araneta Group’s entertainment unit; Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo, actress and team member; and Noel Ferrer, spokesperson.

Also scheduled to attend the MIFF are the Film Development Council of the Philippines’ Tirso Cruz III and Jose Javier Reyes, chairman and consultant, respectively.

Other events promoting collaboration and cooperation between the Philippines’ filmmakers and Hollywood and beyond are also scheduled by MIFF, whose mission is to showcase, promote and help uplift Philippine cinema.

The TCL Chinese Theatre is located on the third level of Ovation Hollywood (formerly Hollywood & Highland), 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA. The DGA is located at 7920 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA.

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, coordinating producer.

For MIFF sponsorship inquiries, contact Erickson Ilog ([email protected]) and Ron Ramores ([email protected]).