Just days before Christmas, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) wrapped up its review of the official entries to the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), signaling a season of cinema designed for shared viewing and wider audiences. Led by Chairperson and CEO Lala Sotto, the board completed the classification process on 11 December, offering early reassurance to moviegoers planning their holiday theater trips.
According to Sotto, this year’s festival lineup strongly leans toward family-oriented storytelling. Most of the entries received either a General Patronage (G) or Parental Guidance (PG) rating, meaning the films are suitable for younger viewers, provided children are accompanied by parents or guardians. The overall outcome positions MMFF 2025 as a festival that encourages families to experience local cinema together during the holidays.
One of the standout classifications went to the romantic drama I’m Perfect, directed by Sigrid Bernardo and produced by Nathan Studios. The film earned a G rating, making it appropriate for all ages. Its story centers on a tender romantic relationship between two individuals with Down syndrome, offering a rare and heartfelt portrayal of love, dignity, and inclusion on the big screen.
Also receiving a PG rating is Bar Boys: After School, the continuation of the 2017 hit Bar Boys. Directed by Kip Oebanda and produced by 901 Studios Inc., the film reunites Carlo Aquino, Rocco Nacino, Enzo Pineda, and Kean Cipriano, exploring where their characters land after college life. The sequel shifts its focus from youthful ambition to the realities and consequences of adulthood, while maintaining themes relatable to both younger viewers and grown-ups.
Another PG-rated entry is Call Me Mother, starring Vice Ganda and Nadine Lustre. Directed by Jun Robles and produced by ABS-CBN Film Productions, The IdeaFirst Company, and Viva Communications Inc., the film tells the story of a queer mother determined to legally adopt the child she has raised as her own. The journey becomes emotionally charged when the child’s biological mother unexpectedly reappears, placing love, identity, and parenthood at the center of the narrative.
Completing the list of films already classified is Love You So Bad, directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar and rated PG. Featuring Will Ashley, Dustin Yu, and Bianca de Vera, the film adds youthful romance to the MMFF lineup, catering to teen audiences while remaining accessible to family viewers.
With eight official MMFF 2025 entries now reviewed and most deemed appropriate for family viewing, the MTRCB’s early clearance underscores the festival’s continued role as a holiday tradition. As Filipino families prepare to celebrate Christmas and the New Year, the ratings affirm that local films will once again take center stage, not just as entertainment, but as shared experiences meant to be enjoyed together.