Top 10 Best Filipino Films of 2017

2017 was a great year for Philippine cinema. Despite the failures of the Metro Manila Film Festival in maintaining the changes that were implemented in the previous year's festival (which is one of the best and most unforgettable edition of the MMFF), we were still blessed with other Filipino films of outstanding quality, some of which came from other film festivals in the country such as the annual Cinemalaya International Film Festival, and the first ever Pista ng Pelikulang Piilipino. We also got the chance to see some independent films from 2016 getting wide theatrical release last year. Therefore, it was quite hard to pick just ten out of all the films that I've watched last year.

Here are the few Honorable Mentions:

• Patay Na Si Hesus (2017 Theatrical release)
• Triptiko
• Smaller and Smaller Circles
• Deadma Walking
• Ang Manananggal  sa Unit 23B (2017 Theatrical release)

Now, without further ado, here is my own pick of the Top 10 Best Filipino Films of 2017.

10. Ang Larawan. Directed by Loy Arcenas, based on A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino by National Artist Nick Joaquin, starring Joanna Ampil, Rachel Alejandro, Paulo Avelino, Sandino Martin, Nonie Buencamino and Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo with Celeste Legaspi, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Dulce and Ogie Alcasid. Ang Larawan follows the Marasigan sisters, Candida (Joanna Ampil) and Paulo (Rachel Alejandro) as they struggle living in poverty in their ancestral home with their reclusive artist father Don Lorenzo. Their siblings Manolo (Nonie Buencamino) and Pepang (Menchu Lauchengco) who both live luxuriously kept on convincing them to sell the house, but they always reject the idea. The last painting that their father finished before he got into his "accident" can save them from poverty, but the sisters don't want to give up their father's final masterpiece to preserve their family's legacy.

One of the grandest Filipino films of the year. I'm really glad that I chose to watch this during the start of the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival on Christmas Day. From it's rich visuals, outstanding music and bravura performances, Ang Larawan is a must-watch spectacle... Pinoy musicals have never been this gloriously stunning and entrancing.

9. Kita-Kita. Written and directed by Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo, and starring Alessandra de Rossi and Empoy Marquez. Lea (Alessandra De Rossi) and Tonyo (Empoy Marquez) are two Filipinos living in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Lea is a Velo taxi tour guide. She suffers an accident which leads to her being affected by temporary blindness. Her blindness, if not cured in a few weeks, could become permanent. Tonyo is also a Filipino who lives right across from Lea. Lea tries her best to ignore him at first because she is scared of not seeing him. But Tonyo is persistent and is determined to be her friend, using humor and kindness to make a connection. With every effort that he makes the two gradually become closer. In an ironic way, becoming blind allows Lea to see the true character of Tonyo.

Kita Kita is one of the biggest surprises of the year - a funny, charming, delightful type of entertainment that will leaves a smile in your lips (or a tear in your eye for others). It's an unconventional movie with a heart, overflowing with charm that never overstays it's welcome.

8. Kiko Boksingero. Directed by Thop Nazareno, starring Noel Comia Jr., Yayo Aguila and Yul Servo. In this coming-of-age drama, Kiko (in an award-winning performance by Noel Comia Jr.), an 11-year-old boy left aimlessly alone with his nanny Diday (Yayo Aguila) after the recent death of his mother, rekindles a long lost relationship with his father (Yul Servo) in an attempt to find a new lease on life. His father, a washed-up boxer, is currently staying in Baguio for a few days while waiting to find a buyer his home. During his stay, he meets Kiko who, unbeknownst to him is his son. After finding out the truth about the kid, the two of them starts to bond together through boxing. As Kiko starts to spend more time with his father, he starts to grow up and change too.

This is probably the simplest entry from last year's Cinemalaya International film Festival, yet it's also the most heartfelt film among other entries.  It's sweet, humorous, heartwarming and full of emotions. Kiko Boksingero is a small film with a big heart. A champion by all means.

7. Birdshot. Directed by Mikhail Red, starring Mary Joy Apostol, Arnold Reyes, John Arcilla, and Ku Aquino. The coming-of-age thriller tells the story of a young farm girl who wanders off into a Philippine forest reserve. Deep within the reservation, she mistakenly shoots and kills a critically-endangered and protected Philippine Eagle. As the local authorities begin a manhunt to track down the poacher, their investigation leads them to an even more horrific discovery.

Birdshot is undeniably one of the most compelling stories from the Philippines. It's story mixes a coming-of-age tale with a mystery thriller angle as it follows Maya, a teenage girl who is forced to face the consequences of her actions which results to a twisted and tragic fate for everyone involved. The characters in the story are all entangled in a web of lies and deceit, and the choices that they make eventually causes them to get pushed further into a darker path. Mixing sharp social commentary with a compelling story, coupled with great performances of the cast and brilliant direction of it's helmer, "Birdshot" is a one-of-a-kind, must-see movie that elevates Philippine Cinema to a whole new level.

6. I'm Drunk I Love You. Directed by JP Habac, starring Maja Salvador and Paulo Avelino. Maja Salavador and Paulo Avelino plays Caridad Sonia “Carson” Herrera and Dionysus “Dio” Brillo respectively. They're best friends who are finally about to graduate from college after their long overdue stay in UP for three years. They've know each other for seven years, and they've gone through a lot of stuff already that they're practically closer than BFFs. Days before their graduation, Dio invites Carson to go on one last road trip to La Union for a music festival. Carson agrees, and she is joined by her ever supportive gay bestfriend Jason Ty (played by indie favorite Dominic Roco). Little did Dio know is that Carson has been harboring feelings for him for the past seven years. Problem arises when Dio's ex-grilfriend Pathy (Jasmin Curtis Smith) shows up in the picture to reconnect with him. Will Carson finally get the courage (with the help of a bottle of beer) to tell Dio her true feelings for her before it's too late?

It is very rare for movies to tackle romance in a gritty, real way. Most of the time, romantic films focus on how good it is to feel in love. Most films we see today uses romance as an escape to reality. But then, there are those films who would rather hit us with the painful truth about love than portray it as a colorful adventure. And I have never seen a movie to ever do that as hard as I'm Drunk I Love You. JP Habac's film is a lot of things. A coming-of-age story. A wake-up call. A self-help manual. A reminder. But most important of all, it's a slap in the face. A harsh slap to make you realize that hey, it's time to grow up and move on. 

5. Love You To The Stars And Back. Directed by Antoinette Jadaone, starring Julia Barretto and Joshua Garcia. Feeling out place in her own home, an eccentric and socially awkward girl, Mika (Julia Barretto), decides to go on a road trip with a very strange goal – to look for aliens. In her trip, Mika accidentally bumps into a simple and good-humored boy, Caloy (Joshua Garcia), whom she chooses to give a free ride to until he reaches his destination. Mika is surprised to know that Caloy has cancer. But despite his condition, he has learned to accept his fate and remained positive and joyful. The two embark on a roadtrip filled with adventures and misadventures, not knowing that it will lead them to experiencing their most memorable romance at such a young age. They unexpectedly teach each other an important lesson on love and life – one that takes most people a lifetime to learn.

Antoinette Jadaone's Love you to the Stars and Back proves that mainstream cinema can still come up with great stories. It is one amazing romantic coming-of-age movie that reminds us of her great skills as a director and writer, and also serves as a proof that the JoshLia tandem is a loveteam to watch out for. It also features one of the year's best performance by actor, with Joshua Garcia's heartbreaking portrayal of Caloy. It's a movie that is full of laughter and pain, oozing with kilig and tears.

4. 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten (2017 Theatrical release).  Directed by Petersen Vargas, starring Khalil Ramos, Jameson Blake and Ethan Salvador. Felix Salonga (in an unforgettable performance by Khalil Ramos) is a friendless, overachieving top notcher in a typical public high school in the province of Pampanga during the late 1990s whose life is turned upside down after the Film-Am brothers Magnus (Ethan Salvador) and Maxim Snyder (in an award-winning performance by Jameson Blake) transfers to his his school. Felix becomes curious at the two mestizos, particularly with elder Magnus, after his first glance of the boys. As days passed by, he soon develops a strong, unusual friendship with the brothers. He gets to know more of their background, particularly their family. As things get more complicated, this relationship with the Snyder brothers ultimately leads him to be entangled in a dark path involving a plan for murder, his sexual awakening and his first heartbreak.

Petersen Vargas' feature film debut is sweet, humorous, romantic, yet turns dark and disturbing as it moves along, dragging the willing audiences back into one of the hardest phases of a person's life-growing up. It's an experience not to be missed. An experience that's too cool to be forgotten. No pun intended.

3. BLISS. Directed by Jerrold Tarog, starring Iza Calzado, Ian Veneracion, TJ Trinidad and Adrienne Vergara. BLISS tells the story of an aging actress, Jane Ciego (played by Iza Calzado in her most daring role yet) who started acting in showbiz at a young age. Now in her 30s, she decides to produce her own film to win some respect in the industry. But things do not go as planned and an accident on location cripples her. Jane wakes up unable to walk and trapped in her own home, a large house filled with strange sounds and people who may want to harm her. She is looked over by her cold husband Carlo (TJ Trinidad) and a sadistic nurse named Lilibeth (Adrienne Vergara), and then there is Rose, a nurse wanted by authorities for sexually molesting a patient. She mysteriously enters Jane’s life and soon begins affecting her dreams as much as her waking life. Jane’s sanity begins to crumble as the horrors pile up in a symphony of blood, tears and madness. What was supposed to be a simple dream for Jane soon becomes an endless nightmare.

BLISS is one of the most fucked up, unapologetic, disgusting, shameful, and demented Filipino films I've seen on screen. But it is also one of the most fun, mind-boggling, surreal, riveting and wildly entertaining local films I've watched. Intelligently written, imaginatively directed and brilliantly acted, this film pushes the boundaries of Philippine Cinema way past it's limits. BLISS is deliciously disturbing. It's like that little, sugary confection that you've been warned not to eat because it's bad for your health. Problem is, once you get a taste of BLISS, you'll be craving for more.

2. Bar Boys. Directed by Kip Oebanda, starring Rocco Nacino, Carlo Aquino, Enzo Pineda and Kean Cipriano. The film follows the three (yes, just three) young men as they enter law school and how their lives are drastically changed by this new world. Here, they have to endure fraternity initiations to terror teachers, on top of their own problems with their families and relationships.

This film serves as my top pick from this year's Pista ng Pelikulang Piilipino (next is Triptiko). Everything in this movie is just perfect, from it's slick, production design to it's awesome soundtrack (that sequence featuring APO Hiking Society's San Na Nga Bang Barkada triggered my memory of my school days!) to it's outstanding direction and bravura performances. Kip Oebanda's Bar Boys is no doubt my most favorite entry of all the films I was able to watch. It's a youth-oriented comedy drama, a coming-of-age story, and a throwback barkada flick rolled into one. It's a hilarious, heartwarming, emotional, and inspiring feel-good joyride that will leave more than what you expect.

1. Respeto. Directed by Treb Monteras II, starring Abra, Dido Dela Paz, Loonie, Kate Alejandrino, Chai Fonacier and Silvester Bagadiong. Henrdix (played in a surprisingly effective performance by Abra) is a wannabe rapper who's trying to make a name for himself through the underground rap battle known as "Berso". He aspires to make it big and hopes to get out of the life that he was born with- an abusive home (his sister and her drug pusher boyfriend) and a violent surrounding (as people from their squatters village always ends up being killed by unknown assailants supposedly due to drugs). Soon, he meets Fortunato Reyes, known with his nickname Dok, an old poet and Martial Law victim (played by veteran Dido de la Paz) who ends up helping him straighten up his life and puts him in the right direction.

Treb Monteras II's Respeto is undeniably the breakout film of this year's Cinemalaya Film Festival. It's a very powerful film that disguises itself as a simple movie about rap battle. It's a tragedy of a young man, his mentor and how the world around them led them to destruction. It's a satire to our government's actions and brutality. It's an elegy to the dying moral of our society. Respeto will also leave you breathless with it's heart-stopping and jaw-dropping ending. One of the most unique and most heart-wrenching endings in a Filipino movie in recent memory.

And that sums up my Top 10 Best Filipino Films of 2017. Looking forward to more amazing Filipino films this 2018. 'Til next year's countdown!

BLISS Movie Review

"Hindi ko maintindihan!" (I can't understand!)

This is one of the lines of Iza Calzado's character Jane in director Jerrold Tarog's latest film, Bliss. This is also the exact same thing I've been murmuring to myself while watching the movie last Monday, April 3, 2017 at CineAdarna, UP Diliman during the film's special screening. The screening was attended by hundreds of people who flocked the film theater since early afternoon just to catch a glimpse of the film that got it's lead actress, Iza Calzado, her Best Performer Award from the recent Osaka Film Festival. The film became controversial after MTRCB slapped it with an X-rating, banning it from being commercially released in the country. Until now, I still can't figure out what I've watched that night. Director Jerrold Tarog said he aims to push the boundaries of Philippine Cinema with this film. And he did it, in a way no one could have imagined.

BLISS tells the story of an aging actress, Jane Ciego (played by Iza Calzado in her most daring role yet) who started acting in showbiz at a young age. Now in her 30s, she decides to produce her own film to win some respect in the industry. But things do not go as planned and an accident on location cripples her. Jane wakes up unable to walk and trapped in her own home, a large house filled with strange sounds and people who may want to harm her. She is looked over by her cold husband Carlo (TJ Trinidad) and a sadistic nurse named Lilibeth (Adrienne Vergara), and then there is Rose, a nurse wanted by authorities for sexually molesting a patient. She mysteriously enters Jane’s life and soon begins affecting her dreams as much as her waking life. Jane’s sanity begins to crumble as the horrors pile up in a symphony of blood, tears and madness. What was supposed to be a simple dream for Jane soon becomes an endless nightmare.

Director Jerrold Tarog is no stranger to the horror genre, as he have been making horror films even before BLISS. He helmed the Shake, Rattle & Roll 12 episode "Punerarya" starring Carla Abellana and Sid Lucero, the feature film Aswang (2011) starring Lovi Poe and Paulo Avelino, the Shake, Rattle & Roll 13 episode "Parola" (one of my favorite episodes of SRR) starring Kathryn Bernardo and Louisse Delos Reyes and the Shake, Rattle & Roll XV episode "Ulam" starring Ms. Abellana and Dennis Trillo. his lead actress, Iza Calzado, is also considered as one of Philippines' modern day scream queens, as she has starred in films like Sigaw (2004), Shake, Rattle & Roll 8 (2006), Ouija (2007), The Echo (2008), White House (2010), Maria, Leonora, Theresa (2014), Haunted Mansion (2015), and Ilawod (2017). Therefore, BLISS is a dream come true for a horror fan like me because two big names in the country's industry have collaborated to come up with this project.

For the past years, I've seen a lot of horror films. And when I say A LOT, I mean it. I remember, there was even a time when for one whole month, I was watching a horror movie almost every single day. I guess this is the reason why I got so numb when it comes to horror movies. I don't get scared easily anymore, which is really depressing because whenever me and my friends watch horror movies in the theater, all of them are shrieking out of fright the whole time while I stare blankly at the screen. No reactions at all. But luckily, there are some few good horror flicks that comes out of the blue that I get to enjoy. So whenever I say that a horror movie is good, believe me. It is good. The last Filipino horror film that I've watched and enjoyed was Erik Matti's Seklusyon. I've had some pretty good time watching that film. And since then, I've been looking forward to seeing another good horror film. Unfortunately, I haven't seen one since the start of this year. I haven't seen a local horror movie that I actually enjoyed. Until I saw BLISS.

I still can't figure out what BLISS actually is. I couldn't come up with a single word to describe it. It's never-before-seen. It's trippy. It's insane. It's mind-boggling. It's surreal. It's fucked-up. Yeah. It is so fucked-up. I've never seen a Filipino movie this fucked up since Sherad Anthony Sanchez's Salvage starring Jessy Mendiola. But BLISS takes the word "fucked-up" to a whole new level. I don't even know where to start in reviewing the film. Jerrold Tarog's BLISS is like a big mystery, slowly being peeled one layer after another. And every time it sheds off another layer, it becomes more and more unsettling, and disturbing, and deranged, and messed-up. And this is what makes BLISS a one of a kind movie experience.

First and foremost, BLISS is a horror film. And it's scary when it wants to be. But Jerrold Tarog doesn't just settle for this. Instead, his witty script (he also penned the film) infuses dark humor to make the film stand out from the rest of the local horror films we've seen before. It's like a hybrid of something that the Sam Raimi and the late Wes Craven would make if they write a film while they're drugged. Aside from the film's dark humor, the film also pushes boundaries in Philippine cinema by featuring taboo themes that most directors and film companies are avoiding to tackle, like pedophilia, marital rape and commercialism. As the story progresses, director Jerrold hits us with these unsettling themes one blow after another. I remember myself during the screening of BLISS at CineAdarna. I was covering my mouth with my handkerchief, held by my two hands, as I watch in shock in one cringe-worthy scene featuring a naked woman standing in front of a mirror, touching herself while she is having flashbacks of a lesbian molesting her when she was young. I don't want to give out a lot of details because it will spoil everything but that scene was too much to handle that a part of me wants to cover my eyes until the scene fades away. But it's too late. I'm already hypnotized by this nightmarish fairy tale and I couldn't take my eyes off the screen anymore. I'm stuck in this demented mind of Jerrold Tarog, along with the rest of the hundreds of audiences inside that theater.

When it comes to the film's technicalities, this movie is one handsome horror picture. The handheld shots of the film evokes a sense of uneasiness. Whenever the camera follows Jane while she's treading along the hallways of their big house, it brings a feeling of dread and impending threat, specially when she pass by an open door of a dark, empty (or not) room. The house itself is brimming with a sense of claustrophobia, drowning her with whispers and mysterious sounds from every corner. The music is simple but adds a creepy atmosphere to every scene. The editing was also good. The film's pacing moves briskly and doesn't have any dull moments. Horror fans like me will be delightfully pleased with the violence and blood in the film. Yes, there's blood. Lots of blood. Unlike Iza Calzado's previous horror pic Ilawod which is more restrained, BLISS is unabashed when it comes to violence, and goes for the jugular. There's a lot of stabbing here in this pic, I'm telling you. And I can't help but squirm every single time.

I guess this film wouldn't have worked if not for the outstanding performances of it's cast. Audie Gemora plays his role with flair and humor as the Cannes-obsessed director Lexter Palao. Michael de Mesa is like an over-the-top fictional version of Boy Abunda. Shamaine Buencamino is brilliant as the stage mother Jillian. Ian Veneracion isn't given much screen time but definitely catches everyone's attention every time he's on screen. TJ Trinidad impresses us with his portrayal of Carlo, Jane's husband who eventually messes up everything for her wife. You'll hate him. You'll love him. He's that good. Adrienne Vergara steals the show as the creepy nurse Lilibeth. At first, she was distracting and may come off a bit over the top. But as the story progresses, you eventually enjoy her character. Her presence alone brings menace to every scene. She will make you squirm, feel uncomfortable, disgusted and uneasy. I assure you, she will make your skin crawl. But at the end of the day, this is still Iza Calzado's film. And she definitely owns it. The character of Jane Ciego worked so perfectly with her. I don't think any other actresses could fit this role aside from Iza. Honestly, I don't even think any other actresses in her generation would be brave enough to take this challenging role. Iza Calzado risks everything in this movie, and it's worth it. She really stood out with her brilliant portrayal of a woman slowly being driven to insanity by her own husband while locked up inside a house with a demented nurse. Iza Calzado connects with the audience in a way no other actresses can. We understand her confusion. We feel her frustration. We sympathize with her tragic life. We are threatened whenever she is in danger. We become part of her psyche. We become her. No wonder she wowed everyone at the Osaka Film Festival last March 2017. She truly deserve that Yakushi Pearl Award for Best Performance. I guess we can all agree that she is one of the most underrated actresses of this country, and she deserves so more.

Now, about that rating. I agree that the film contains a lot of nudity, sex and mature themes. But to be honest, I think and I firmly believed that it doesn't deserve it's X-rating from the MTRCB. Yes, there is prolonged nude scene featuring Iza Calzado's character, but it wasn't meant to arouse audiences. I was actually shocked at that scene. Honestly, I've seen worst than this. Has everyone already forgot how Christian Grey fingered Anastacia Steel because she was still a virgin in 2015's Fifty Shades of Grey which, mind you, was given a lower rating of R-18? how about all those moments where we watched her nipples grow erect as they make love in that blockbuster romance film. And those uncensored cocks hanging out from some glory holes as Vince Vaughn makes fun of them in the 2015 comedy Unfinished Business which was rated R-16 by the MTRCB. Is it just me, or is the MTRCB really giving more priority to foreign films than the locally produced movies which, FYI, are critically acclaimed not only here in the country but even abroad? Is this history repeating itself too soon? Are we getting another round of that 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten controversy? I honestly don't know. As I quote Felix Salonga of 2 Cool, I am in a conundrum. This is not the first time an MTRCB rating has stumped me. I just hope that the appeal of the producers of the film will be a success. Because this movie is something that the Filipino audience deserves to see in the big screen, nationwide.

BLISS is indeed the most fucked up, unapologetic, disgusting, shameful, and demented Filipino film I've seen on screen. But it is also the most fun, mind-boggling, surreal, riveting and wildly entertaining local film I've watched. Intelligently written, imaginatively directed and brilliantly acted, this film pushes the boundaries of Philippine Cinema way past it's limits. BLISS is deliciously disturbing. It's like that little, sugary confection that you've been warned not to eat because it's bad for your health. Problem is, once you get a taste of BLISS, you'll be craving for more.

Rating: ✰✰✰✰✰ out of 5

BLISS (2017)

Directed by Jerrold Tarog

Starring Iza Calzado, TJ Trinidad, Ian Veneracion and Adrienne Vergara 

Best Performance Award (Iza Calzado), Osaka Film Festival 2017

Everyone Wants A Taste Of BLISS

BLISS, director Jerrold Tarog's latest film, has sparked a controversy after getting slapped with an X-Rating from the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) for featuring prolonged frontal nudity, excessive violence, and masturbation. The producers of the film, TBA productions, made an appeal to the MTRCB and after their second review of the film, they gave it with an acceptable R-18 rating, meaning that it's suitable for adult audiences only. The film which stars Iza Calzado has received critical acclaim outside the country after it's premiere at the recently concluded 2017 Osaka Film Festival, where Calzado won the Yakushi Pearl Award for Best Performance. The film also stars TJ Trinidad, Ian Veneracion, 

Last Monday, April 3, 2017, the film had a special screening of the film in it's original uncut version at the Cine Adarna, UP Diliman, Quezon City. Hundreds of people who have been looking forward to see the film flocked the theater. But only a limited number of people got accommodated and had the chance to see the film in it's original form. The screening was graced by the film's director Jerrold Tarog, alongside the film's actresses, Adrienne Vergara and lead Iza Calzado.

Marquee outside the UP CineAdarna

Hundreds of people flocking the theater to catch BLISS.

People patiently waiting in line to register.

As a rule, audiences were required to provide proof that
they are of legal age to be allowed to watch the film.

People lining up to get inside the theater.

Inside the Cine Adarna where a full house of audiences
are waiting for the start of the screening.

Due to the large number of people that flocked the screening,
a lot of people were not accommodated.
 Many had to sit on the aisles just for them to watch the film.

We were asked to give the film our own rating after watching the film.

Director Jerrold Tarog, actress Adrienne Vergara and lead Iza Calzado
as they thank the crowd who attended the screening.

Get a taste of BLISS, coming to cinemas nationwide this May 10. Rated R-18.

Top 10 Most Anticipated Filipino Films of 2017

This has been a great year for Filipino films. We witnessed some indie films rocked it's way into our cinemas, from the chilling tale of Ilawod to the heartbreaking hugot film I'm Drunk, I Love You. We also saw the theatrical release of some of 2016's best indie movies, from Sakaling hindi Makarating, Baka Bukas and one of the year's most talked-about movie 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten. But the year is still long and young and we are yet to see some good Filipino films to hit the country's screens. So here is my list of my top 10 most Anticipated Filipino films of 2017.

Special Mentions: Riding in Tandem (Jason abalos, Khalil Ramos), Can't Help Falling In Love (Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla) because KathNiel is KathNiel, duh?, Dear Future Husband (Sarah Geronimo, John Lloyd Cruz) I kinda miss their team-up, Ang Larawan, a movie adaptation of the classic Filipino musical, and hopefully, Erik Matti's new adaptation of Darna (TBA).

Luck At First Sight.

Director Dan Villegas (English Only Please, Walang Forever and How To Be Yours) is back in the romance genre with this romantic comedy film starring Jericho Rosales and Bela Padilla as two luckless people: one with love, the other with money. But when the they met each other, they discover that they're one another's life charm - they bring the other good luck. Soon, they become close to each other, slowly falling in love. But what happens when the luck runs out?
Produced by Viva films, the film hits theaters this summer 2017.

Kasunduan.

A thriller-drama directed by Lawrence Fajardo, it stars Ejay Falcon, Joey Marquez, Joem Bascon, Beauty Gonzales with Sarah Carlos and Khalil Ramos. The film is currently in post-production. Although there isn't enough details about the film, I'm pretty excited to see it for one reason: the Khalil Ramos.

Ghost Bride.

Horror master Chito S. Rono is back this year with Ghost Bride, an upcoming Filipino horror film starring Kim Chiu, Matteo Guidicelli and JC Santos. Helmed by Roño and produced by Star Cinema, it marks Kim's third movie with director Roño. It revolves around the Chinese tradition Ghost marriage wherein one or both parties are deceased. The film also features a powerful cast, led by Jerome Ponce, Rio Locsin, Ina Raymundo, Mon Confiado, and Alice Dixson.

Kita Kita.

Who would have thought that one day, Empoy can give you the kilig feels? Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo, director of award-winning films “Ang Huling Cha-Cha Ni Anita” and “Lorna” brings us this unexpected romantic comedy starring Alessandra de Rossi and Empoy as Lea and Tonyo, two Filipinos living in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Lea is a Velo taxi tour guide. She suffers an accident which leads to her being affected by temporary blindness. Her blindness, if not cured in a few weeks, could become permanent. Tonyo is also a Filipino who lives right across from Lea. Lea tries her best to ignore him at first because she is scared of not seeing him. But Tonyo is persistent and is determined to be her friend, using humor and kindness to make a connection. With every effort that he makes the two gradually become closer. In an ironic way, becoming blind allows Lea to see the true character of Tonyo.
The film is produced by Piolo Pascual, Director Joyce Bernal, Erickson Raymundo and Suzanne Shayne Sarte.

Bloody Crayons.

Finally. This long-overdue horror slasher based on the book of the same name by Wattpad writer Josh Argonza was announced last April 2015 originally headlined by Jane Oineza, Joshua Garcia and Manolo Pedrosa. The film went under multiple revisions, the original director (Quark Henares) leaving the project, and Star Cinema replacing some cast members (who have already finished shooting some scenes). It was even rumored to be part of the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival.
It follows a group of graduating students who visits an island as a location for their short film project. Unknown to them, death has followed them to the island, as they start to get picked off one by one. Featuring Jane Oineza in her first starring role, it also stars Janella Salvador, Elmo Magalona, Sofia Andres, Diego Loyzaga, Ronnie Alonte, Maris Racal, Yves Flores and Empoy Marquez, directed by Topel Lee and is scheduled to be released this 2017.

Instalado.

A Scifi Filipino film? Impossible? Well, for director Jason Paul Laxamana, everything's possible. From his acclaimed films like Babagwa, Magkakabaung, the outragious dark comedy Mercury Is Mine and my favorite of them all, the sweet, humorous, and heartbreaking coming-of-age 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten, he have wowed audiences with his unique, weird, out-of-this-world stories. This time, he is taking the challenge of entering the scifi genre with Instalado, an official entry to the 2017 ToFarm Film Festival. Set in a farming village a few years into the future, it follows Victor (played by McCoy de Leon in his first starring role) who lives in a time when the dominant form of education is through installation, an overnight process that allows bodies of knowledge to be installed directly on people’s brains using technology owned by corporations. Unfortunately, Victor, like many others in the agricultural town of Porac, cannot afford the sky-high cost of installation, which he believes is the key to pull his family out of poverty. To raise money for installation, Victor temporarily abandons farming and works as the household helper of a wealthy childhood friend who has become extremely successful after undergoing a series of installations. Also starring Francis Magundayao and Jun-Jun Quintana.

Nabubulok (The Decay)

Of all the Cinemalaya entries this year, this one definitely got me excited. Not only because of it's intriguing story but also because of it's cast. It features 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten's Ana Capri and Jameson Blake among it's leads. Jameson is one of my favorite actors right now after his incredible stint in 2 Cool, earning him the Best Supporting Actor award in last year's Cinema One Originals film festival. Nabubulok (The Decay) follows a missing person's case: Luna is missing. Jason Harper, her American husband, is alleged of killing her. As Jason intends to leave the country, circumstances conspire to avert his plan. Also starring Ms. Gina Alajar, JC Santos and Billy Ray Gallion, directed by Sonny Calvento and an official entry to the Cinemalaya 2017.

Actor Bill Ray Gallion with Jameson Blake.

Bliss.

Imagine director Jerrold Tarog, Iza Calzado and Ian Veneracion in one bloody, mind-boggling, fucked up thriller. Yes, dreams do come true as the Heneral Luna director unleashes the beast in his latest film, Bliss. The film follows the story of Jane Ciego, who started acting at a young age. She becomes a film producer but gets into an accident – and later, Jane begins to hear mysterious sounds and struggles with people who may want to harm her. The film is already making some noise outside the country as Iza Calzado won the Yakushi Pearl Award (Best Performer) for her role in Bliss, at the Osaka Film Festival 2017 on Saturday, March 11. Directed by Jerrold Tarog, it stars Ian Veneracion, TJ Trinidad, Adrienne Vergara, and Michael de Mesa and is soon to hit cinemas later this year.

Citizen Jake.

The highly anticipated comeback movie of director Mike De Leon, the genius behind classic Filipino films like Itim, Batch '81, Sister Stella L and Kisapmata is undeniably one film to watch out for. Aside from the fact that this is his first film after 18 years, another reason to be excited for this project is his choice of lead actor. Director Mike De Leon found his Citizen Jake in real life news reporter Atom Araullo, who will be playing a fictional journalist in this political crime story.

Smaller and Smaller Circles.

Adapted from the mystery novel by Filipino novelist F. H. Batacan (touted as the first Filipino crime novel), it stars veteran actor Nonie Buencamino as Fr. Augusto Saenz, the Jesuit forensic anthropologist; Sid Lucero as his right-hand man, Fr. Jerome Lucero; and Carla Humphries as reporter Joanna Bonifacio. The film follows the investivation of the deaths of six boys, all of whom were found in Quezon City's Payatas dump site, where children often pick through garbage to provide for their families. The victims' faces, hearts, and genitals were removed, and Saenz, along with his friend and protégé, Fr. Jerome Lucero, a clinical psychologist, are sure the killer has a very specific agenda. As the priests work to identify the boys and their killer, they must wade through the political muck surrounding a case that no one wants publicized, in a country where centralized crime statistics are unheard of and resources are scarce.  Produced by Tuko Film Productions and Buchi Boy Entertainment, it is directed by Raya Martin and is soon to hit cinemas later this year.

So how about you? What's your most anticipated Filipino film this 2017? Share us your thoughts and leave a comment down below!