‘Manila’s Finest’ recreates 1960s Manila for MMFF 2025

The spirit and spectacle of 1960s Manila took center stage at the grand media launch of Manila’s Finest, one of the most anticipated entries in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2025 lineup. Backed by a powerhouse cast and creative team, the film is already generating major buzz as a standout MMFF contender — a gripping police drama set against the chaotic yet compelling backdrop of Manila in 1969.

Produced by MQuest Ventures — the studio behind past MMFF favorites GomBurZa and The Kingdom — Manila’s Finest is helmed by Raymond Red, the first Filipino filmmaker to win the coveted Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. The story, crafted by award-winning screenwriters Moira Lang, Michiko Yamamoto, and Sherad Sanchez, follows Capt. Homer Magtibay (Piolo Pascual) and his dependable partner, 1st Lt. Billy Ojeda (Enrique Gil), as they navigate the complexities of service within the Manila Police District during a transformative era in the city’s history.

The duo confronts crimes and conflicts that test their loyalty, bravery, and brotherhood. Beyond its action-packed surface, Manila’s Finest also delves into themes of sacrifice, morality, and the struggle to preserve one’s identity in a city undergoing rapid change.

“We are proud and excited to present Manila’s Finest as MQuest Ventures’ entry to this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival,” MQuest Ventures president Jane Jimenez-Basas said. “This is a cinematic masterpiece brought to life by the genius of director Raymond Red. We are confident that Manila’s Finest will resonate deeply with Filipino moviegoers this Christmas.”

The film boasts a formidable ensemble cast, including Cedrick Juan, Rico Blanco, Ariel Rivera, Joey Marquez, Romnick Sarmenta, Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Kiko Estrada, Paulo Angeles, Ashtine Olviga, Ethan David, Dylan Menor, Inday Fatima, and Pearl Gonzales, joining Piolo Pascual and Enrique Gil in bringing this era to life.

“We wanted to capture Manila at a pivotal moment — beautiful, wounded and alive. This film is about the people who kept moving, even as the city around them was changing,” director Raymond Red shared.

Piolo Pascual also spoke about stepping into the role of Capt. Homer Magtibay. “We studied the lives of police officers in the 1960s to ground the story in truth. These characters may be fictional, but they reflect real people from the past who served with passion and heart,” he said.

Enrique Gil, making his second consecutive MMFF appearance, noted how the film marks an important milestone in his career, particularly as it pairs him with Piolo Pascual for their first on-screen collaboration.

Manila’s Finest screens in cinemas nationwide starting 25 December.