They are no doubt big stars but they are certainly gentlemen as well. Abiding by the ladies’ first rule, these four celebrated actors are only taking the spotlight for themselves in the final stretch of the busy Metro Manila Film Festival promo season.

Either in intimate pocket interviews or crowded Christmas parties, the festival’s leading men talk about why moviegoers should watch them come December 25—among other things on their mind.

Meet the 38th MMFF men of the moment in this Manila Times Entertainment special.

Bigger and better from Bong
If there’s one thing MMFF fans can expect from the lately christened “Titanic Star,” the actor, producer and senator of the Republic of the Philippines, Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr., it’s that his perennial entry from the Agimat franchise is always bigger and better.

For 2012, he and fellow MMFF Box Office King Vic Sotto have brought their iconic characters together again, following 2010’s blockbuster hit Si Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote, and even reeled in another major crowd drawer in Judy Ann Santos.

“Yung trio palang pang No. 1 diba?” he teased a huge crowd of entertainment scribes as the lights went on following a preview of Si Agimat, Si Enteng Kabisote at Si Ako’s official trailer. With his celebrated chinito eyes crinkling at the sides as he smiled, not one in the audience could disagree.

A joint production of Bong’s Imus Productions; Vic’s MZet TV; APT Entertainment; and GMA Films, all sides refuse to disclose just how much money they spent to complete the large scale fantasy-adventure family comedy, but as the actor-politician assured, “Alam niyo naman pag gumawa kami ng pelikula, malaki talaga in all aspects. Pinaghirapan ito at pinaghan-daan.”

He added that of the top-secret budget, some 30 to 40 percent was spent on special effects, which is why he is confident that moviegoers will be awed in cinemas across the country come December 25.

Bong admitted he takes big financial risks because he wants to create a movie for children, but stressed that Christmas is for everyone.

“Sabi nila ang Pasko ay para sa lang sa mga bata, pero hindi tayo nani-niwala diyan. Ang Pasko ay para sa lahat—maging sino ka man.”

This is the reason why part of the Revilla family’s Christmas celebration is giving gifts to their constituents in Cavite.

Bong also shared that they will also send relief goods to the victims of typhoon Pablo through his Kaagapay sa Araw ng Pangangailangan program in time for Christmas.

* * *

‘General’ E.R.
In the past Metro Manila Film Festivals, it is the usually the period films or historical movies that bring home the awards; unfortunately those trophies don’t often translate to box office receipts.

But despite such odds, El Presidente lead star Laguna governor ER Ejercito remains confident that his MMFF entry will do well amid the strong competition.

“Marami ang nagsasabi na may pag-asa kami na makasali sa Top 3, at naniniwala naman ako dahil talagang pinaghirapan namin para mapaganda ang pelikulang ito,” Ejercito said during a press conference prior to the red carpet premiere of the movie on Tuesday evening at the Mall of Asia.

“We started our research in 1998 almost 14 years, para mabuo lang ang script — from studying Spanish manuscripts, historical books from the National Historical Commission, to interviewing almost a hundred people that knew or was related to General Emilio Aguinaldo, para magawa naming accurate at maganda ang kwento ng El Presidente.”

To prepare for his character, Ejercito said he personally did a lot of research and talked with relatives of the national hero to study all his mannerisms.

“From the way he gives orders, to how he expresses his emotions, pati paraan ng pag-pirma
niya pinaga-ralan ko talaga ng mabuti.”

Ejercito then shared that his name ER actually stands for Emilio Ramon, which was also taken from the name of the great general.

He also assured that despite the running time of two hours and 45 minutes they made sure that the movie will not be boring.

“Ang impression ng mga tao ay kapag historical movie, boring, so challenge para sa amin na gawin maganda yung pacing ng movie, at gandahan yung mga action scenes,” he reiterated.

“Tayo po ay nakakuha ng PG rating, kaya pwede po sa mga bata, at dahil endorsed din ito ng Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, pati na din ng Film Development Council of the Philippines naniniwala po kami na may laban ang pelikula namin sa box office. Pero kumita man o hindi ang mas mahalaga sa amin ay makagawa ng quality film.”

* * *

Dingdong, the certified star

When Segunda Mano made a surprising second place finish in 2013’s MMFF box office race, many attributed it to the fresh pairing of Kris Aquino and Dingdong Dantes.

It was after all, a rare opportunity to see a Kapamilya and Kapuso star toge-ther in one big movie.

The film not only furthered Dingdong’s repu-tation as one of the most bankable actors of this gene-ration, but his Best Actor award from the festival put him in an elite list among the industry’s finest.

Thus, it came as no surprise that Dingdong immediately received another movie offer from Star Cinema. What he didn’t expect was that it was going to be another entry for the MMFF.

“Fresh from ‘Segunda Mano’ sinabihan na agad ako na I’m gonna do another project with Star Cinema. Pero hindi ko naman ini-expect na it’s going to be for the MMFF,” he told reporters during a solo press conference for his upcoming movie One More Try at the Star Cinema offices on Tuesday.

“I had a very good experience working with them kaya nung nalaman ko na may isa pa, syempre natuwa ako and I was looking forward to the new memories na mabi-build ko doing One More Try, na true enough naman ay isa namang pelikulang talagang hinding-hindi ko malilimutan.

“Masaya ako, because it is a rare opportunity to work with Angel [Locsin] and Angelica [Panga-niban], and thankful because Star Cinema considered me for the project and that GMA allowed me this.”

According to Dingdong, aside from the unique beauty of the plot of One More Try, he immediately accepted the offer because of the top caliber actors who are part of it, including former Kapuso star Angel Locsin.

“This is my first time to work with Angel. Kasi kahit na noong nasa GMA pa siya, hindi kami nagkaron ng pagkakataon na magkatrabaho. And although si Angelica nakasama ko na sa Segunda Mano at si Zanjoe sa Kimmy Dora, first time namin magsama-samang apat sa iisang pelikula.”

Dingdong is also proud of the extraordinary and courageous plot of “One More Try.” He said, “Kung gaano siya kabilis mag-evolve as a story, ganoon din siguro kabilis ang magiging impact niya sa audience. Dahil sa pagkakaron ng isang bata even-tually it turned out to be more of a family drama film than an adult type of movie na alam naman natin na karamihan nang pinalabas this year ay may ganoong tema.”

Dingdong said he considers his role as Edward as his most challenging yet, and according to Star Cinema, he was handpicked for the role. Many of course attribute the offer on the fact that Dingdong is GMA Network’s biggest star.

“I don’t think that’s the reason,” he shrugged off the compliment. “I think I was chosen because of the level of maturity na nagawa ko na sa ibang pelikula at nag-swak lang siguro.”

Being a more serious movie than Segunda Mano, is he more confident about winning the Best Actor award for a second time?

“My top priority has always been to give justice to the role, yung mga awards, icing on the cake na lang yun,” he replied.

As for his future plans, he said he plans to continue producing movies but has no intentions of directing just yet. “Sa joint productions muna ako, kasi mas maraming ulo, mas maganda dahil mas maraming nagmamahal sa proyekto.”

* * *

Zanjoe’s reinvention
Zanjoe Marudo has always been considered a hunk since he caught the public’s eye as a housemate in Pinoy Big Brother in 2006. But despite his steady showbiz career in the years that followed, he has never been as handsome and as appealing—and undoubtedly famous—as he is today.

Zanjoe is as humble and “regular” as ever as those who have long known him, worked with him, or written about him can attest. He still speaks without pretense, and is quick to crack jokes as he does in his usual comedic projects on TV and film.

But on Monday, when The Manila Times met with the towering celebrity, a newfound confidence boosted his sex appeal high up the scale.

Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that Zanjoe has finally graduated from his “kenkoy” portrayals in Banana Split and Kimmy Dora into a very mature and challenging role for his first MMFF entry, One More Try. The trailers released by Star Cinema show that the man has a lot of promise in the dramatic genre.

“Ito na nga sana yung start ng pagiging dramatic actor ko,” he revealed during a small roundtable interview at ABS-CBN’s private dining room at restaurant 9501 on Monday.

“Nakapag-drama na ako noon ng konti sa Sa’yo Lamang pero hindi kasing tindi ng kinailangan kong gawin dito sa pelikulang ito.”

One More Try is the festival’s only heavy drama that pits Zanjoe with the likes of Dingdong Dantes, Angel Locsin and Angelica Panganiban, who have all made names in the field of drama.

His role throws him into fits of rage and intense moments of pain as a devoted lover whose loyalty will be sacrificed by the woman he loves, over her love for her son.

“Dito makikita ng tao yung pagiging seryoso ko bilang isang artista at sinubukan ako ng pelikulang ito,” Zanjoe divulged. “Tinest niya kung hanggang saan ang kaya ko bilang actor, at kahit konting bakas ng mga ginawa ko dati ay hindi niyo makikita dito.”

How does he feel that he may well be nominated for the Best Supporting Actor category with the likes of Christopher de Leon (movie title) and Cesar Montano (El Presidente) come the MMFF Awards Night on December 27?

“Hindi naman ako magwawala kapag hindi ako nanalo,” he quipped. “Pero masaya siyempre; at masaya ako sa ginawa ko dito. Yung papuri pa lang na binigay sa akin ng ilang nakapanood na ng pelikula, parang nanalo na ako.”

Zanjoe, who shared that he actually writes a wish list before every New Year begins, said one of his goals would be to be able to do drama on TV.

“At saka mag-simula ng business sa pag-po-poultry,” he added. He is also looking forward to another year with his girlfriend, the celebrated actress Bea Alonzo, in his life.

“Masarap na may kasama ka na mataas ang pangarap pero hindi nakikipag-compete sa iyo, at gusto lang na maging magaling ang bawat isa sa lahat ng aming ginagawa,” Zanjoe ended.