From Tanging Yaman, to Anak, to Mano Po, to Enteng Kabisote and Okay Ka, Fairy Ko!, Filipinos have been drawn to family movies whether its a drama, fantasy or comedy. This year, as change has come to the Metro Manila Film Festival, quality films are expected to all the eight entries, and that is what the Nora Aunor starrer entry “Kabisera” hopes to deliver to the Filipino audience.
The center chair of a table, which we call ‘Kabisera’ has been a symbolic seat of power at home. The ‘head of the house’ usually enjoys the view as he or she watches the banter of the whole family while sharing food and happy stories. Fate could however throw uncertainties. A happy dining could just end up a long memory from the past. Honor, truest and loyalty are some of the values that are tested with this newest MMFF entry as it exposes imperfections that reign the lives of Filipinos today, and how in the end we all stand up for what’s right and what is more important to us.
“Ang pamilya ang pinkaimportanteng kayamanan na mayroon ang Pilipino. Sa bagong hakbang ng MMFF ngayon na magbigay ng higit na makabuluhang pelikula sa industriya, naisip namin na bakit ‘di tayo gumawa ng istoryang malapit talaga sa puso ng bawat Pinoy. We’re talking about value and what’s more valuable for us Pinoys than the family?,” said director Real Florido when asked why they chose this plot for their first Metro Manila Film Festival project. Inspired by a true story, this newest treat for 2016 became even bigger by brillantly putting together big names in the industry who have earned their own laurels to boot – Gawad Urian Best Actors, Ricky Davao and Jason Abalos; Urian Best Supporting Actor Menggie Cobbarubias; QCinema Best Actor, JC de Vera; MMFF Best Supporting Actor, Victor Neri; Sinag Maynila Best Actress Ces Quesada; CineFilipino Best Actor Karl Medina and Gawad Urian Best Supporting Actress Perla Bautista. What is getting everyone excited about this film is the fact that we are once again about to be blown away by the one and only Grand Dame of Asian Cinema, Ms. Nora Aunor as she comes back to the Metro Manila Film Festival. Actor and producer, RJ Agustin is also in the cast together with Ronwaldo Martin (brother of Coco Martin), Kiko Matos, Alex San Agustin and Coleen Perez.
People behind the scenes are also composed of names in the industry who have also won prestigious awards from both local and international award-giving bodies – cinematographer Topel Lee; production designer Mark Sabas; musical scorer Vince de Jesus and editor Tara Illenberger to name a few. The cast and crew admitted that the pressure for this year’s festival is higher as they are expected to fulfill the responsibility of answering to the public’s hunger for more content and value. The public has demanded that they be given something more than the usual kind of plot and entertainment. They wanted something more heartfelt and relevant and Kabisera hopes to deliver just that.
“Inaanyayahan namin ang publiko na umupo sa mga sineha ngayong pasko bilang simbolo ng pagtayo para sa pelikilang Pilipino. We are inviting them na umupo sa KABISERA, manood kasama ang mga mahal sa buhay biglang pagtayo para sa kanilang pamilya,” according to the film’s producer and artist RJ Agustin.
The cast and crew of the said film are also scheduled to tour nationwide. The stars will be visiting remarkable families who have been inspirations for the film’s plot, different parts of the country as they campaign for the movie. For a list of activities, you may check Kabisera’s social network portals http://www.facebook.com/kabisera or visit the website http://www.firestartersmanila.com/kabisera.
This 2016, let’s stand uo for Pinoy films and our families. Join us in the cinemas and enjoy together with your loved ones the must-watch family drama film of 2016 – Kabisera, starting December 25, 2016 in cinemas nationwide.