- Vice Ganda defended the inclusion of comedy in MMFF 2019
- He explained that comedy is just as important as other genres
- His film with Anne Curtis, The Mall, The Merrier, is included in the MMFF 2019 entries
It’s Showtime host Vice Ganda took a stand to defend the comedy genre as part of the annual Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
His upcoming film The Mall, The Merrier, is one of the entries included in MMFF 2019. This is Vice’s seventh MMFF movie since 2012.
At the press conference of the film held on Monday, December 9, Vice was asked about his films being constantly part of the film festival. Vice then stressed the importance of comedy especially at Christmas.
“Hindi pwede mawala sa buhay natin ang comedy. Hindi pwede mawala sa Pasko ang comedy. Can you imagine Christmas without comedy?” Vice said.
Vice further explained that comedy is also important just like other genres.
“And comedy is a genre. It’s a legit genre. It’s as special as drama, adventure, action. Hindi ko lang maintindihan kung bakit parang ang baba ng tingin ng tao sa comedy, na hindi siya kasing-antas ng drama.”
“Kailangan i-call out din natin, na mali ho ‘yung mababang tingin niyo sa comedy, na kinikuwestiyon niyo ‘yung kahalagahan ng comedy sa pelikula at sa buhay in general.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2GV3BcxWLQ
“Sa tulong niyo [referring to the showbiz media], maaring maipakilala, ipaliwanag n’yo sa kanila kung bakit mahalaga at legit ang comedy especially sa Pasko.
“Kailangan ng Pilipinas ng comedy, kailangan ng Pilipinas ng komedyante… Comedy is very important,” said Vice.
Apart from Vice, The Mall, The Merrier also stars Anne Curtis, Dimples Romana, Tony Labrusca, Elisse Joson, and Jameson Blake. Produced by Star Cinema and Viva Films, the film’s story centers on two dysfunctional siblings inheriting a very old mall where mysterious incidents keep happening. They protect the mall from their evil aunt. Directed by Barry Gonzalez, the movie opens on December 25.
Vice is also known for some of the highest-grossing films in the MMFF, like The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin (2011), Sisterakas (2012), Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy (2013), Beauty and the Bestie (2015), Gandarrapiddo: The Revenger Squad (2017), and Fantastica (2018).