In a report by ABS-CBN News, Ricketts said that while their information campaign by means of distributing shirts and button pins has been effective, it is the cooperation of some Muslim merchants in Quiapo that will reduce the proliferation of pirated CDs of MMFF entries.
According to the OMB Chair, their agency has been in constant communication with Quiapo Muslim leader Camad Pangandaman and that they have been cooperative with the campaign. “Tuluy-tuloy [pa din] ang pag ikot natin hanggang matapos ‘yung festival,” Ricketts said.
In a separate interview aired on “TV Patrol” recently, Ricketts said it is also their aim to solve piracy of Pinoy films abroad.
“Piracy is not just a local problem, it’s a worldwide problem eh. And with TFC (The Filipino Channel) partnering with us, yung message namin will be sent all over the world,” he explained.
Meanwhile, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino has announced their target gross for this year’s MMFF: He sees a P700-million gross at the end of the festival, what with the entries’ “quality” and “combination.”
A day after the MMFF opening, “Sisterakas” of ABS-CBN Star Cinema and Viva Films emerged as the unofficial top grosser with P40.7M, followed by “Si Agimat, Si Enteng Kabisote at Si Ako” (P31.6M), “One More Try” is at No. 3 (P13.2M), “Shake, Rattle and Roll 14: The Invasion” (P10.7M), “The Strangers” (P4.8M), “El Presidente” (P4.2M), “Sosy Problems” (P2.8M) and “Thy Womb” (P911M).
Winners in this year’s MMFF will be named at the Awards Night on Dec. 27 at the Meralco Theater. (Jecelyn V. Macahindog, www.mb.com.ph)
