Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
MANILA, Philippines – The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) may be over, but the fight to be number one continues.
While the MMFF committee did not disclose specific figures for the highest grossing movies for the 2015 festival, Star Cinema claimed that their entry, Beauty and the Bestie, came out on top.
But My Bebe Love actress Ai-Ai delas Alas doubts the claim.
On January 7, the last day of the festival, Star Cinema advertising and promotions director Roxie Liquigan said that Beauty and the Bestie was the number one MMFF movie in terms of sales.
On January 3, the movie's star, comedian Vice Ganda also tweeted that the movie was number one in the festival's second week.
{source}
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">300Million THANKS to you Madlang People for making us number 1 in your hearts. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeautyAndTheBestieSecondWeek?src=hash">#BeautyAndTheBestieSecondWeek</a></p>— jose marie viceral (@vicegandako) <a href="https://twitter.com/vicegandako/status/683150464070750208">January 2, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
But at a press conference in California on January 8, Ai-ai was reported to have said that she doubted Star Cinema's claim: “Kahit yung number 3, pwede din sabihin na number one din sila eh (Even the number 3 movie can say that they're number one),” she said, according to reports.
"Ayaw ni Lord ang nangdadaya (The Lord doesn't like cheaters). Karma is a b-tch," she added.
Ai-Ai brought up the ticket swapping issue, wherein ticket counters incorrectly printed Beauty and the Bestie instead of My Bebe Love. The issue was confirmed by My Bebe Love director Joey Reyes, but denied by the MMFF in a statement on Facebook.
“Kahit ano pa ang sabihin nila, ilalaban ko ng patayan, itataga ko sa bato, kami po ang number one (No matter what they say, I will fight it to the death, I will carve it in stone, we are number one),” said Ai-Ai at the press conference.
In a series of tweets on January 9, Star Cinema's Liquigan called out Ai-Ai on her statements, noting that Ai-Ai didn't say how much My Bebe Love has earned and daring her to show proof.
{source}
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="tl" dir="ltr">Ai, bakit di mo sabihin ang totoong kinita ng movie mo?</p>— ROXY (@Roxy_Liquigan) <a href="https://twitter.com/Roxy_Liquigan/status/685694967927341056">January 9, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
{source}
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="tl" dir="ltr">Bakit di mo sinabi sa presscon mo ang kinita ng movie mo? Bakit puro emote na dinaya, ano ang proof mo? "Karma" ang naghihintay? Kanino?</p>— ROXY (@Roxy_Liquigan) <a href="https://twitter.com/Roxy_Liquigan/status/685697539220180992">January 9, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
He also mentioned that Ai-Ai used to praise Star Cinema, the actress' former studio.
{source}
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="tl" dir="ltr">Matagal na tayong magkasama sa star cinema, lagi mong sinasabi "iba talaga sa star cinema, love ko ang star cinema"etc. Ngayon iba na?</p>— ROXY (@Roxy_Liquigan) <a href="https://twitter.com/Roxy_Liquigan/status/685698245314519047">January 9, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
{source}
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="tl" dir="ltr">"The best talaga ang star cinema" sabi mo noon sa lahat ng interviews mo. Ngayon, dinadaya ka? Saan ka dinaya? Sana sa totoo na lang tayo.</p>— ROXY (@Roxy_Liquigan) <a href="https://twitter.com/Roxy_Liquigan/status/685698956366491652">January 9, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
Fierce rivals
Star Cinema is a subsidiary of ABS-CBN. My Bebe Love was produced by Antonio P Tuviera Entertainment, a subsidiary of Television And Production Exponents Philippines, Inc., under GMA network. The two networks are the biggest in the Philippines and are fierce rivals.
"Sana sa totoo na lang tayo. Ang dali-dali kasi magsalita sa presscon, para saan, para mag ingay? Pinaghirapan namin ang mga entries sa MMFF. Tapos mag-iingay na dinaya?
(I wish we'd stick to the truth. It's so easy to speak during a presscon, for what, to make noise? We worked hard on the MMFF entries. And you're going to make noise saying that we cheated?)
"Magkaibigan kami ni Ai-Ai pero foul ang ginawa niya. Di niya naisip na marami siyang taong masasaktan sa mga sinabi niya na HINDI NAMAN TOTOO."
(Ai-Ai and I are friends, but what she did was foul. She didn't think that she would hurt a lot of people with the lies that she said.)
{source}
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="tl" dir="ltr">Ang dali dali kse magsalita,sa presscon, para saan, para mag ingay? Pinaghirapan namin ang mga entries sa MMFF. Tapos mag iingay na dinaya?</p>— ROXY (@Roxy_Liquigan) <a href="https://twitter.com/Roxy_Liquigan/status/685700790791450625">January 9, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
{source}
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="tl" dir="ltr">Magkaibigan kami ni aiai pero Foul ang ginawa niya. Di niya naisip na marami siyang taong masasaktan sa mga sinabi niya na HINDI NAMAN TOTOO</p>— ROXY (@Roxy_Liquigan) <a href="https://twitter.com/Roxy_Liquigan/status/685701211387854848">January 9, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
On January 10, Liquigan tweeted that the movie has already earned P455.8 million, and that it's the highest grossing MMFF movie ever.
{source}
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="tl" dir="ltr">WOW! P455.8 M na ang <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeautyAndTheBestie?src=hash">#BeautyAndTheBestie</a> !!! Grabe.</p>— ROXY (@Roxy_Liquigan) <a href="https://twitter.com/Roxy_Liquigan/status/686021885667053568">January 10, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
{source}
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeautyAndTheBestie?src=hash">#BeautyAndTheBestie</a> IS NOW the HIGHEST GROSSING MOVIE in the history of the MMFF!!! <a href="https://t.co/qf1c3xTKAh">pic.twitter.com/qf1c3xTKAh</a></p>— ROXY (@Roxy_Liquigan) <a href="https://twitter.com/Roxy_Liquigan/status/686042077377892352">January 10, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
Advertising and promotions manager Mico del Rosario also spoke on the matter on Twitter, defending Star Cinema's integrity.
{source}
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="tl" dir="ltr">Tigilan na yang pagiging bitter. E di sabihin sa MMFF to release the rankings. Plain and simple. Tigilan ang ... <a href="https://t.co/sQpT4LKm23">https://t.co/sQpT4LKm23</a></p>— Mico del Rosario (@micodelrosario) <a href="https://twitter.com/micodelrosario/status/685686067618447362">January 9, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
{source}
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">At the end of the day just create content that the audience need. Tapos. Ang sad na napunta na sa bitching ang labanan. Labo.</p>— Mico del Rosario (@micodelrosario) <a href="https://twitter.com/micodelrosario/status/685686554967183360">January 9, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
Del Rosario pointed out that although the company joins the festival every year, it's only now that people started saying bad things about it.
"Tigilan ang pagbibintang sa Star Cinema. Taun-taon kasali kami sa MMFF ngayon daming binabato sa kumpanya. Ano nga bang nag iba this year? Sa Star ba may nag-iba?
(Stop blaming Star Cinema. Every year, we are part of the MMFF, but it's only now that there's so much being thrown at the company. What changed this year? Did something change with Star?)
"STAR CINEMA'S VALUES ARE INTACT. Honesty and integrity are on top of the list. And lahat ng nasa kumpanya, at lahat ng galing sa kumpanya, alam yan (And everyone in the company, everyone who came from the company, knows this)."
{source}
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="tl" dir="ltr">Tigilan ang pagbibintang sa Star Cinema. Taun taon kasali kami sa MMFF ngayon daming binabato sa kumpanya. ... <a href="https://t.co/jKQRtwEJ47">https://t.co/jKQRtwEJ47</a></p>— Mico del Rosario (@micodelrosario) <a href="https://twitter.com/micodelrosario/status/685687015023575040">January 9, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
{source}
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">STAR CINEMA'S VALUES ARE INTACT. Honesty and integrity are on top of the list. And lhat ng nasa kumpanya, at ... <a href="https://t.co/G0OkPWE9jt">https://t.co/G0OkPWE9jt</a></p>— Mico del Rosario (@micodelrosario) <a href="https://twitter.com/micodelrosario/status/685687717426925568">January 9, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
{source}
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">And yes, KARMA's a bitch.</p>— Mico del Rosario (@micodelrosario) <a href="https://twitter.com/micodelrosario/status/685687846330486784">January 9, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
He said, "Never nagpromote or nagmarket ang kumpanya namin na kinailangang manira ng kalaban. Naniniwala kami na produkto mo ang magsasalita para sayo. Alam yan ng lahat ng taga rito or GALING dito. Never kaming may sinabi about competition because we always believe that competition also has something to offer to the market."
(Our company has never promoted or marketed anything through destroying competitors. We believe that your product speaks for your company. Everyone who is from here or comes from here knows that. We've never said anything about comptition because we always believe that competition also has something to offer to the market.)
{source}
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="tl" dir="ltr">Never nag promote or nagmarket ang kumpanya namin na kinailangang manira ng kalaban. Naniniwala kami na ... <a href="https://t.co/PjqEDAS3CS">https://t.co/PjqEDAS3CS</a></p>— Mico del Rosario (@micodelrosario) <a href="https://twitter.com/micodelrosario/status/685689986792857600">January 9, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
He also challenged the MMFF committee to release the movies' rankings.
{source}
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="tl" dir="ltr">I challenge the MMFF committee to release ranking with gross. Tapos dun magsalita. Kapag may basis. Wag ... <a href="https://t.co/JZhMzrtOOO">https://t.co/JZhMzrtOOO</a></p>— Mico del Rosario (@micodelrosario) <a href="https://twitter.com/micodelrosario/status/685693060764663808">January 9, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
{source}
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">You don't do that to people you have worked with and had (im assuming past tense because you just broke it) a ... <a href="https://t.co/M0b4zvIvz7">https://t.co/M0b4zvIvz7</a></p>— Mico del Rosario (@micodelrosario) <a href="https://twitter.com/micodelrosario/status/685711667934527488">January 9, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
{source}
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sa mga nagtatanong: yes di kami palaimik most of the time. We crow about our products. But if someone ... <a href="https://t.co/hgTBcUH6KM">https://t.co/hgTBcUH6KM</a></p>— Mico del Rosario (@micodelrosario) <a href="https://twitter.com/micodelrosario/status/685733348791062529">January 9, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
{source}
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">TRUTH WILL ALWAYS PREVAIL. And regrets will always come after. Porket malaking kumpanya sasapakin mo nalang ... <a href="https://t.co/ABwcMVIrjw">https://t.co/ABwcMVIrjw</a></p>— Mico del Rosario (@micodelrosario) <a href="https://twitter.com/micodelrosario/status/685737806837067776">January 9, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
Since the beginning of the festival, the committee has always announced the Top 4 movies in no particular order, along with the total gross earnings of all 8 films. – Rappler.com
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.