Vice Ganda revealed what he asked from MMFF
Unkabogable Star Vice Ganda is one of the celebrities whose Metrol Manila Film Festival entries became movie hits.
Vice can be considered as “suki” of MMFF. He has done several movies that became official entries of the annual film festival. Last year, the comedian-host had an entry. It was the drama movie Call Me Mother.
Although this movie was a success, and Vice was able to get a Best Actor trophy for his performance, the support from moviegoers somehow weakened. One of the reasons for this was the high ticket prices.
In a recent interview, based on the article in Bandera, Vice Ganda emphasized that many people have stopped watching movies in cinemas. The main reason is that the big amount is spent just to watch a film.
The TV host-comedian specifically pointed out the expensive ticket prices at the last Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2025, where his film “Call Me Mother” was one of the entries.
“Ang malaking halaga ng ticket ay hindi sanhi, kundi epekto ito ng kawalan ng kakayahan ng mga Pilipino upang gumasta,” the comedian-host said.
Vice also said that ordinary people’s salaries are just for their basic necessities, and watching a movie is not their priority.
On the other hand, the It’s Showtime host said that the problem that should be addressed is not the high ticket prices but the fact that may Filipnos are in a situation where they cannot afford to spend to buy stuff.
“Kahit isang libo pa ang presyo ng tiket pang-isang tao, kung may higit na kakayahan na gumasta o higit na kakayahan sa pananalapi, hindi magiging kuwestiyon ‘yan,” Vice explained.
This year’s earnings did not surpass or even match the gross of last year’s MMFF, so according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), which oversees the annual festival, they will discuss lowering ticket prices this 2026.
Then, Vice Ganda shared that before, when he would request that MMFF lower the ticket prices. “
“Gusto nilang sumali ako lagi sa festival. Pero pinakiusapan ko sila na ‘Sige sasali na ako pero ibaba natin ang presyo ng ticket, na napagbigyan naman nila,’” he explained.
The comedian-host added that it is difficult for many moviegoers not to return to cinemas because of financial constraints.
“So kahit sinong artist, kahit ‘yong pinaka-artist pa man, ‘yong aktor at direktor, gusto niya gumawa ng magandang palabas, kung hindi siya panonoorin, tuluyan siyang mawawala,” the Kapamlya star said.