Coco, Vic to team up for MMFF 2018; Vice unmoved

By Neil Ramos

Coco Martin has confirmed talks of him pairing up with Vic Sotto for this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival.

The two are noted for their apparent inclination towards undemanding film efforts that nonetheless almost always earn big at the tills.

Those expecting a more cerebral offering from the two this time around shouldn’t hold their breath.

Martin made clear in a recent interview with Pep.ph they are not going to re-invent the wheel with the partnership.

“Ang layunin namin kasi mapaligaya namin ang mga manonood,” he said. “Nagtutulungan kami para bigyan ng buhay at maging mas masigla ang Metro Manila Film Fest kapag Pasko.”

That’s not all. The move is also meant to fulfill a personal lifelong dream.

“Matagal ko nang pangarap na magkatrabaho kami ni Bossing,” Martin said. “Siyempre, Tito, Vic and Joey, lahat naman tayo talaga idolo sila lalong-lalo na pagdating sa komedya. Isang malaking karangalan na makatrabaho ko siyempre si Bossing.”

And how is Vice Ganda, perennial MMFF top-grosser who once partnered with Martin for “Beauty And The Bestie” at MMFF 2015, taking the news?

Well, nippy at most.

“I’m fully aware of (their collaboration),” he quipped.

Of course, he is fielding his own film this year, something that he described as a total riot.

“Yes, magfi-film fest ako, oo… Ang ganda ng concept ko ngayon. Nung nagme-meeting palang kami sa Star Cinema, tawa na kami nang tawa. ‘Yung konsepto ng Star Cinema atsaka konsept ko nagbangga. Ang ganda! Nabuo siya.”

The MMFF organizers have been trying to re-invigorate the festival, which, for years catered mainly to fantastical farce, lowbrow comedies, run-of-the-mill dramas, rom-coms as with horror films that contradict type.

With moviegoers refusing to heed the call for change, however, we’re back to the same old con.