GMA News: 'My Bebe Love' holds highest first day gross for all Filipino films

MANILA, Philippines - Alden Richards and Maine 'Yaya Dub' Mendoza collectively known as AlDub first movie 'My Bebe Love' topped the opening day of the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) and was able to break records for the highest first day gross, GMA News reported on Saturday.

'My Bebe Love: #KiligPaMore' (originally titled Rom-comin Mo Ako) received gross earnings of P60,462,169.57 on its opening day or about 40% of the total ticket sales for the eight competing movies for MMFF 2015.

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MMFF Ranking 2015: MMDA announces Top 4 Films, First Day Total Gross

The GMA News data can claim MBL defeated opening record set by Star Cinemas's  'The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin' which earned P 53.3 million last year.

The unconfirmed report also claimed that over 33 million pesos from Metro Manila and over 27 million pesos from different provinces were recorded.

Earnings for 'My Bebe Love' will be divided into five by giant film outfits Octo Arts Films, M - Zet Productions, APT Entertainment, GMA Films and Ai-Ai's MEDA Productions.

Reception for ALDub's 'My Bebe Love' film

Though 'My Bebe Love' garnered good ticket sales, it also earned negative reviews from film critics.

"If there is a Razzie Award for the MMFF, GMA Films' My Bebe Love would probably sweep this. The film may just be one of the worst films in MMFF history," DList.ph said.

Film review site ClicktheCity.com also gave the movie one and a half stars out of five, stating that "the film strings together its stars’ endorsements and roughly molds them into the shape of a movie, narrative playing second fiddle to the impulse to promote brands."

MMFF 2015 Top 4 Earners 

Aside from 'My Bebe Love, 'Beauty and the Bestie,' 'All You Need is Pag-ibig' and 'Haunted Mansion' are among the topgrossers for this year's MMFF.

Official ticket sales figures for each of MMFF top 4 earners are not yet revealed due to MMFF policy to protect other films in the festival.

The annual Metro Manila Film Festival will run from December 25 to the first week of 2016.

Magnitude 5.2 earthquake hits Surigao del Norte, aftershocks expected - Phivolcs

MANILA, Philippines - A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck near the town of San Isidro in Surigao del Norte early Sunday, December 27, 2015 according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Seismologists warned of possible aftershocks.

Phivolcs said the quake with 60km depth of focus was tectonic in origin and recorded at 6:11 a.m. It's exact location is at 10.09°N, 126.31°E - 030 km N 56° E of San Isidro.

Earthquake Information No. 3Date and Time: 27 Dec 2015 - 06:11 AMMagnitude = 5.2Depth = 060 kilometers... https://t.co/HmUHgjBlXK

— PHIVOLCS-DOST (@phivolcs_dost) December 26, 2015

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said secondary shockwaves which are usually less violent than the main quake can be strong enough to do additional damage to weakened structures and can occur in the first hours, days, weeks, or even months after the quake.

"Be aware of possible tsunamis if you live in coastal areas. These are also known as seismic sea waves (mistakenly called "tidal waves"). When local authorities issue a tsunami warning, assume that a series of dangerous waves is on the way. Stay away from the beach," USGS added.

Here are the reported intensities, according to Phivolcs:

Intensity 4 (Moderately strong): San Isidro, Burgos and Santa Monica, Surigao del Norte
Intensity 3 (Weak): Surigao City
Intensity 2 ( Slightly Felt): Loreto, Dinagat Province, Mainit & Socorro, Surigao del Norte

Keep safe everyone! - TheSummitExpress.com

VIDEO: ABS-CBN News team survives ambush in Marawi

The members of ABS-CBN News team in Iligan were ambushed by motorcycle-riding gunmen in Bangolo, Marawi City on Saturday afternoon, December 26, reporter Ronnie Enderes said.

The 3-man News team composed of Enderes, cameraman Emilito Balansag, and driver Gary Montecillo was traveling back to Iligan from Ramain, Lanao del Sur where they covered the bombing of a tower of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines.

“None of us were hurt but we could not describe the fear we felt,” Enderes said.

ABS-CBN News has issued official statement and condemns in the strongest terms the attack on their News team.

"The gunmen riding in two motorcycles started following them from Marawi City. One assailant fired at the driver's side, hitting the door and narrowly missing Montecillo. Another fired at the front passenger's side, the bullet grazing the lower portion of the door," the news team said.

Marawi Police recovered from the crime scene two empty shells of .45 caliber pistol. Police said another tandem on board a third motorcycle was involved in the incident, based on the testimony of witnesses.

ABS-CBN added that Ronnie, Emilito, and Gary are safe and unharmed despite of the incident.

"We are also grateful to the Philippine Army's 103rd Brigade for providing temporary refuge to our News team," ABS-CBN said.

"We urge the authorities to investigate this ambush and bring the perpetrators to justice soonest, even as we vow to continue with our duties as journalists," the news arm of ABS-CBN added.

WATCH: ABS-CBN News team ambushed in Marawi

'Honor Thy Father' disqualified at MMFF 2015 Best Picture race

MANILA, Philippines - Suspense crime film 'Honor Thy Father' (also known as Con-Man)  starring John Lloyd Cruz was disqualified from the selection of Best Picture category at the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), the overall chairman of the filmfest announced on Saturday, December 26.

The MMFF executive committe disqualified the entry due to non-disclosure of participation to the Cinema One Originals Festival happened last month (November 9-17) as the opening film.

"After careful and thorough deliberation, the Metro Manila Film Festival Executive Committee has disqualified your entry, Honor Thy Father, from the selection of the Best Picture Category of the MMFF 2015 Awards," the letter addressed to HTF producer Ronald Stephen Monteverede reads.

Erik Matti's directed film was also screened in the Contemporary World Cinema section of the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival.

Despite receiving good reviews from moviegoers and film critics, the movie has been pulled out in some cinemas to favor other MMFF entries.

On Saturday night, '#DemandForHonorThyFather' trended on Twitter as netizens expressed disappointment on MMFF decision.

Con-Man is a victim of a con-job #MMFF2015Scandal #DemandForHonorThyFather

— Anj (@anjpessumal) December 26, 2015

Honor Thy Father is definitely a must watch movie yet you didn't show it in some Cinemas.Shame on you @mmfilmfest #DemandForHonorThyFather

— nettie (@KBxDPslays) December 26, 2015

Well I can’t believe there is hate. We must #DemandForHonorThyFather https://t.co/qFhZlkjVXF

— Noem Lardizabal-Dado (@momblogger) December 26, 2015

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MMFF Ranking 2015: MMDA announces Top 4 Films, First Day Total Gross
MMFF denies 'ticket swapping' claims of AlDub moviegoers

MMFF Ranking 2015: MMDA announces Top 4 Films, First Day Total Gross

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) officially announced today, December 26, 2015 the first day box-office results and the top 4 movie entries to the 41th year of Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

MMFF 2015 TOPGROSSERS: 'Beaty and the Bestie' vs 'My Bebe Love'

The organizing committee and new MMDA chairman Emerson Carlos said that 'My Bebe Love: #KiligPaMore,' 'Beauty and the Bestie,' 'All You Need Is Pag-Ibig,' and 'Haunted Mansion' are the top 4 MMFF movies as of Saturday.

Star Cinema's 'All You Need is Pag-ibig' and Regal Entertainment's 'Haunted Mansion' float

Carlos said this year’s opening-day gross was P150 million, compared to P147 million on the first day last year.

Meanwhile, the MMDA chairman refused to reveal the official MMFF ranking of the top 4 films to protect other films.

On the other hand, GMA News said AlDub first movie 'My Bebe Love' already earned P60-million on first day of the festival.

Earlier, MMFF committee denied the 'ticket swapping' claims during the first day of the festival."This baseless issue will only sideline the true intent and purpose of the Festival. Let’s continue supporting all the entries of the MMFF 2015," the statement reads.

The other MMFF 2015 entries are Vhong Navarro's 'Buy Now, Die Later,' John Lloyd Cruz's 'Honor Thy Father,' Cesar Montano and Maria Ozawa film 'Nilalang' and Jennylyn Mercado-Jericho Rosales starrer 'Walang Forever.'

MMFF 2015 entries: 'Buy Now, Die Later, 'Honor Thy Father,' 'Nilalang,' and 'Walang Forever' floats

The awards night is scheduled tomorrow night, December 27 at the Kia Theatre, Araneta Center, Quezon City. Both the Parade of Stars and the Awards Night will be aired via delayed telecast on TV5 thru a co-production with Viva Entertainment.

Proceeds of the annual holiday festival are being distributed to the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation Inc., Motion Picture and Anti-Film Piracy Council, Film Development Council of the Philippines and the Optical Media Board.