Coco MartinFollowing a robust 2015 with a record number of 16 original Filipino movies screened around the world, and kicking off 2016 with the very successful showing of Everything About Her, TFC@theMovies is bringing two highly rated Filipino films this February to North America, Europe and Middle East.

“Padre De Familia”: Historical Casting

Come February 18 - through the collaboration of TFC@theMovies, CCM Creatives and ABS-CBN Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) - movie enthusiasts in UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman will be treated to the landmark film, Padre De Familia (Head of the Family), directed by Adolf Alix, Jr. who scored a casting coup by bringing together the legendary Nora Aunor and Coco Martin, both among the most successful and highly respected actors in Philippine cinema today.  On February 20, the film goes to United Kingdom, and then screens on February 21 in Italy and France.

Nora AunorDirector Alix Jr himself described what the film tackles in his social media post:

“Sino nga ba ang tumatayong haligi ng tahanan? Ang mapagparayang ina o ang anak na nagtataguyod ng lahat? Sa isang bihirang pagkakataon, magsasama ang dalawa sa pinakamahusay na artista ng kanilang henerasyon -- si Coco Martin at ang nag-iisang Superstar, Ms. Nora Aunor. (Who really stands as the pillar of the home?  The forbearing and tolerant mother or the child who supports the whole family? In one rare opportunity, two of the greatest artists of their generations join forces – Coco Martin and the one and only Superstar, Nora Aunor)."

“Padre De Familia is truly special and I’m glad that ABS-CBN EMEA worked with TFC@theMovies in screening this in the region,” said John-D Lazatin, ABS-CBN Global Head of Theatricals. “Nora Aunor’s winning of the Gusi Peace Prize 2015 for International Excellence in Performing Arts and Cinema – the lone Filipino honoree alongside 18 international dignitaries, scientists, medical doctors, academicians, including Portugal President Antonio Eanes – reminds us that she is a true world-class international artist.  Coco Martin, on the other hand, has been wowing audiences in the Philippines and abroad with both his solid acting skills and incredible mass appeal.  Both of them together in one body of work is an excellent cinematic treat for all movie-going fans.”

Padre De Familia also boasts of a solid supporting cast in Julia Montes, Rosanna Roces, Baron Geisler, Joel Torre, Joem Bascon, and Anita Linda.

#WalangForever Canada“#WalangForever”: MMFF 2015 Awards’ Most Triumphant Film

Meanwhile, come February 19, Filipino audiences in U.S. and Canada will experience the film that dominated the Metro Manila Film Festival 2015 Awards, winning in five categories, including Best Picture.

A certified box-office hit in the Philippines, #WalangForever (No Forever) stars MMFF 2015 Best Actor Jericho Rosales and two-time MMFF Best Actress Jennylyn Mercado (2014 and 2015) under the direction of Dan Villegas who also won Best Original Story (with Antoinette Jadaone) for the film.  Writer Paul Sta. Ana won Best Screenplay for this work.

As reviewed by critic Maria-An Santos of pep.ph, this romantic comedy, “works not just because of the amazing onscreen chemistry of Jericho Rosales and Jennylyn Mercado but also because of the rapport of its ensemble cast. More than offering ‘kilig’ scenes… (the film) is a moving reminder of the power of love amidst seemingly insurmountable odds.”

Rappler.com critic Oggs Cruz wrote:

“The film plots the rekindling of Mia and Ethan’s love story after several years of shared regret and bitterness… The film is an ode to romantic cinema. It is quite evident that its makers are connected to the genre in a capacity that is far greater than most. Where other films build walls that separate escape from truth to benefit the sake of commerce, Villegas’ film confronts escape by tracing its source to stories found in everyone who has experienced the charms and pains of being in love. #WalangForever aches more fervently, perhaps because it earnestly reveals that elusive bridge between fantasy and reality.”

“This is one film that won the hearts of both rom-com fans and movie critics, so I guarantee that moviegoers in the U.S. and Canada will wholly enjoy watching this.  The characters and the narrative are highly relatable and that usually makes for a winning film,” said Lazatin.

Catch the international screening of Padre de Familia on February 18 in UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman and on February 20 in United Kingdom and February 21 in Italy and France. 

For more information, visit emea.kapamilya.com, www.myvue.com or facebook.com/TFCMiddleEast and facebook.com/TFCEurope.  Catch #WalangForever starting February 19 in the U.S. and Canada.  For more information, visit www.tfc-usa.com or facebook.com/TFCUSOfficial. View the trailers on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4AuAuCoI9ec - Canada; https://youtu.be/Sm807fejHUM – U.S. (Story/Photos by: Nerissa M. Fernandez)

#WalangForever US

Jennilyn Mercado and Jericho Rosales