Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez and his girlfriend, actress Sue Ramirez, are urging the public to support the Filipino film industry by watching all of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entries.
Benitez and Ramirez watched the movie “Rewind” starring Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central’s Cinema 3 in Bacolod City Friday night, Dec. 29.
Ramirez plays the role of Vivian in the movie.
Benitez, who sponsored the free screening of “Rewind” Friday evening, said “it is important to support the Metro Manila Film Festival entries. Everyone should support local films made by Filipinos for Filipinos”.
“Supporting the local creative industries will also eventually help our local economy,” he said.
Benitez also said local cinema is very creative and expressive, “I think it really touches the hearts and souls of the Filipino people”.
Benitez, who had previously acted in movies, said his priority now are the Victoriahanons and the Victorias City government.
“But in the future who knows when things get more streamlined, I’m not closing any doors,” he said.
Ramirez, whose mother is from Sipalay City in Negros Occidental, said she if very grateful for the warm welcome she gets from the people of Negros and Bacolod whenever she visits.
“Negros feels like home,” she said.
She called on the public to support Filipino films and to watch each and every Metro Manila Film Festival entry.
The 10 entries are: “A Family of 2 (A Mother and Son Story),” “Kampon,” “Penduko,” “Rewind,” “Becky and Badette,” “Broken Heart’s Trip,” “Firefly,” “GomBurZa,” “Mallari,” and “When I Met You in Tokyo”.
The movie industry’s intention is to touch lives, Ramirez said.
Ramirez said “Rewind” has been a top grosser at the film festival.
The movie will touch a lot of lives and change a lot of perspectives, she said.
It teaches one to value time spent with loved ones, she said.
Ramirez said she is very thankful to Benitez for being very supportive of all her projects.*