On January 6, director Jose Javier Reyes addressed claims of bribing among the Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 jurors.
At the media event for Karinyo Brutal, which LionhearTV covered, Reyes highlighted the integrity of the jurors for the MMFF 2023.
“Juror ako, ‘yung mga paratang na may campaigning, may binili, kapag nakita ninyo naman ‘yung listahan ng mga jurors, si Chito Roño mabibili mo? Si Lorna Tolentino mabibili mo? Si Lee Meily mabibili mo? Si Tara Illenberger mabibili mo? Si Direk Mike Sandejas?”
He further clarified that the MMFF 2023 jurors had a secret ballot when deciding the winners for the Gabi ng Parangal.
“Maaring hindi nagustuhan ng mga tao ‘yung resulta ng mga nanalo, pero ‘yun ang lumabas sa tabulasyon. Ni kaming mga jurors hindi namin alam kung sino ang nanalo dahil secret ballotting ang ginawa sa final voting. Ang nakakaalam lang ay si Lorna at si Chito at ang MMDA, dahil sila lang ang nadodoon noong binuksan ang envelopes. Kaya miski kaming mga jurors nagugulat kami sa ibang winners. ‘Yun huh?”
The MMFF 2023 jurors include Lorna Tolentino, Jose Javier Reyes, Mike Sandejas, Usec. Frisco San Juan Jr., Finance Undersecretary Maria Lualhati Dorotan-Tiuseco, Raymond Francisco, Jaime Ang, Lee Briones Meily, Tara Illenberger, and Jerry Olea.
Reyes then pointed out the tedious process the jurors went through when going through the nominees for MMFF 2023.
“Mula alas diyes ng umaga hanggang alas tres ng hapon, nagde-debate kami, kung sino ‘yung mga gusto namin. At Diyos ko, eh si Chito Roño, si Chito Roño ang chairman di ba? Contest sila ng katarayan ni Joel Lamangan hindi ba? Hindi ano– so ganon lang talaga ng lumabas bilang resulta.”
He then urged people to respect the majority decision of the jurors.
“At ako bilang juror, miski ako nagulat sa ibang nanalo. Pero, we have to respect the decision of the majority of those who voted in the jury. And those naman who sat in the jury, hindi naman puchi-puchi, these are people who are respected in the industry.”
Finally, he also emphasized the financial success of MMFF 2023, which reportedly earned around PHP1.069 billion and is projected to reach 1.2 billion by January 14.
“So how do I feel about it, masaya ako at kumita ang Metro Manila Film Fest. Kung sino man ang nanalo, kung sino ang talo, it’s irrelevant, ang importante, kumita ang Metro Manila Film Fest, dinumog ng mga tao, at nanood sila ng sine. At sana, ma-maintain natin ‘yan at hindi ‘yan nangyayari tuwing Disyembre lamang dahil kailangan na kailangan natin na mabuhay ulit ang industriya.”
As for his upcoming Vivamax film, Karinyo Brutal stars Apple Dy, Maebelle Medina, and Benz Sangalang with Armani Hector, Ghion Espinosa, and Aries Go.
Under the direction of Jose Javier Reyes, Karinyo Brutal streams on Vivamax starting January 12, 2024.
