After failing to make it to the MMFF official entries in lieu of independently produced films last year, Vic Sotto is only happy to return to the Christmas season film festival.
“I’m excited to be back in the MMFF and I’m thankful to everyone who waited for our return and I’m overwhelmed with the tremendous support that we got not just from our fans here in the Philippines but from all over the world,” the actor-comedian fondly referred to as Bossing said in mostly Filipino during a recent promotional activity for “Meant to Beh,” his official entry to the film festival this year.
Last year, Bossing could not hide his disappointment when his film “Enteng Kabisote 10 and the Abangers” failed to crack the MMFF’s Magic 8. He lamented that the reformist selection committee that valued artistry over commercial interests did not consider the festival’s tradition of including family entertainment fare.
“It breaks the [MMFF] tradition started by FPJ and Dolphy. Christmas is the time for family reunions, the time when the whole family looks forward to watching films together. There’s always films that the children will enjoy,” Bossing said then.
A change in the selection criteria as well as in the composition of the MMFF’s screening committee this year has allowed for the return of at least four films considered as mainstream fare featuring stars that have dominated the MMFF in previous years including Vice Ganda, Coco Martin and, yes, Bossing himself.
Bossing, however, is quick to qualify that “Meant to Beh” is not unlike his previous Enteng Kabisote fantasy films. He calls his latest “a serious film presented in a light manner,” Bossing added that he has decided to “level up in some ways and do a serious movie.”
He noted that the film tackles a theme that’s “quite serious and heavy” as it involves a married couple (played by himself and Dawn Zulueta) who decides to separate after realizing they never really loved each other. This of course affects their children who embarked on a mission to get their parents to fall in love with each other even when they have already entered into new relationships.
In getting director Chris Martinez, who has won his fair share of acclaim with films like “100” and “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank,” to direct “Meant To Beh,” Bossing is very pleased with the way the film was treated.
“Direk Chris was able to execute it in a manner that is very, very light. Everyone was smiling and laughing but at the end of the day, there is still a lesson to be learned.”
The film also marks a reunion for Bossing and Dawn, one of the many actresses who played the role of Faye in the “Okay Ka, Fairy Ko” TV franchise that later crossed over to films.
As Bossing is also known to be a brand ambassador of numerous products, he noted that he was proud of his involvement with CitiGlobal Realty and Development in particular as they both share a common goal of bringing joy to every Filipino family. Him, through his films and the realty firm through income-generating housing projects like Leisure Homes and other home investments.
Produced by Octoarts Films, M-Zet Productions and APT Entertainment, “Meant to Beh” also stars Daniel Matsunaga, JC Santos, Sue Ramirez, Gabbi Garcia, Ruru Madrid, Andrea Torres, and child actor, Baste. The film opens in cinemas nationwide on December 25.
Watch the film’s full trailer here:
