[ANALYSIS] Will there be a new golden age in Philippine cinema after record-breaking MMFF?

MANILA, Philippines – After a box-office-record-setting 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), will we now now see Philippine cinemas often filled with movie-goers watching local movies instead of empty seats? It’s possible, now that the formula for a successful movie – a good story, word of mouth, creative marketing, and industry support – is clear. As Noel Ferrer, spokesman for the MMFF, said in a press conference on January 9: “Ibig sabihin, may pera ‘yung mga tao, they waited for word of mouth…. So, they want better stories, better quality films.” (This means people have money for movies but they waited for word of mouth. So, they want better stories, better quality films.) But it’s not likely to happen, if…