On July 9, Kapuso actor-host Dingdong Dantes expressed excitement for his comeback movie with Marian Rivera being an official entry for the Metro Manila Film Festival 2023.
At the media event for the fifth year of ‘Amazing Earth,’ Dantes recounted his reaction when he heard the announcement that their upcoming film was part of the MMFF 2023 roster.
“Correct, correct, kasama kami sa first four na inanunsyo kahapon and very, very excited na ‘yung gagawin naming pelikula ay kasama sa festival na ‘to.”
He then emphasized their objective to urge Filipino moviegoers to return to cinemas.
“Alam ninyo, isa lang ang talaga ‘yung nasa objective namin noong nag-decide kaming mag-asawa na gawin ‘to, and that is really to celebrate cinema. Sana bumalik ang ating manonood sa ating mga theaters, dahil ito ‘yung oras para makita natin ulit at ma-showcase ‘yung kagalingan ng Pinoy sa pagkwento ng ano– nandito naman sa larangan ng pelikula naman.
“And sobrang happy kami sa kwentong gagawin namin at ipapakita sa kanila. That’s why ‘yun na muna, ‘yun ang pinakamahalaga sa lahat. Maikwento ng maayos ‘to at maibalik ang mga tao sa sinehan.”
He then highlighted the number of submissions for the MMFF 2023, which he considered a good indicator for Philippine Cinema.
“At nakakatuwa rin na maraming pelikula ang nag-submit, ’cause I heard isa sa mga matataas na taon ito na maraming nag-submit na pelikula.Â
“Yes, that’s for me a very, very good indicator, especially sa mga producers na willing talaga tumaya para mabigyan tayo ng maraming-maraming magagandang kwento.”
‘Rewind,’ the film starred by Dantes and Rivera, is one of the first four official entries to the MMFF 2023, alongside ‘A Mother and Son’s Story,’ ‘(K)Ampon,’ and ‘Penduko.’
Dantes and Rivera first worked on the GMA Network series ‘Marimar’ (2007). Other notable projects of the couple include ‘One True Love (2008)’ and ‘You to Me Are Everything’ (2010). ‘Rewind’ marks their first movie together after 13 years.
As for ‘Amazing Earth,’ the Kapuso informative show celebrates its fifth anniversary with a 3-part special starting July 14, Friday at 9:35 PM.Â