I don't usually watch entries for the Metro Manila F ilm Festival (MMFF) but 2016's entries looked promising. The movies had an indie vibe to them, straying away from the usual comedy and sappy love stories.

The entries for the 2016 MMFF are Seklusyon, Saving Sally, Die Beautiful, Oro, Kabisera, Sunday Beauty Queen, and Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 2: #ForeverIsNotEnough. Our family has this tradition where we watch an MMFF movie every year but we watched 4 this time. If we decide to watch another one then I'll update the list! MMFF screening has been extended up to January 7 anyway so I'm hoping that a lot of people will be able to watch!

1. Saving Sally
   
   
   
   
   It is what the poster says, a typical love story. It's about an aspiring comic book artist, Marty who fell in love with his best friend, Sally, an inventor and an artist like Marty; that's basically it. What makes it so special from the other romantic films is the way the story is told. It's in the perspective of Marty, he sees that the world is full of monsters, they won't bother you as long as you won't bother them too. You'll see that the monsters portray people, and that a few characters are introduced as monsters at first. With its animation style, the creators' imagination was depicted, giving the viewers a delight.
   
   The film is both live-action and animated, which took over 10 years to make! You can see watch their progress in their facebook page and the many changes they made to perfect a scene. I recommend this film if you want to watch a light-hearted movie!
2. Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 2: #ForeverIsNotEnough
   
   
   
   
   
   Director Reiner and Producer Jocelyn, along with their new Public Assistant Lennon teams up with Eugene Domingo to make another indie film. As they discuss the elements in the movie, Eugene keeps on suggesting abrupt and huge changes, making it less of an indie film. Reiner continues to dislike and disagree with Eugene's suggestions.
   
   This movie was hilarious to the viewers but probably not for Reiner! Eugene's parody of herself made the movie enjoyable and the scenes where she imagines the changes in the script were the comedy parts of the film. This is the kind of sequel where you don't have to watch the previous one to understand the story, so I recommend if you want a laugh or two. You may learn how to hugot from this film.
   
3. Die Beautiful
   
   
   
   
   Oh boy, this film features a transgender, Trisha and her best friend Barbs. It tells the story of Trisha and how she combats discrimination and hardships while she continues to enter beauty pageants in the hopes of one day being crowned a beauty queen. It tackles so many social issues regarding the LGBT+. Yes, there are several funny parts but it focuses on Trisha's life even more as a sibling, best friend, lover, and a mother.
   
   I recommend this film if you want to watch more LGBT+ related storylines! Honestly, this was by far my favourite, Paolo Ballesteros and Christian Bables's acting was on point.
   
4. Seklusyon
   
   
   
   
   
   
   A horror film based on four deacons' trials on their faith as they go through seclusion.
   
   This is literally the scariest movie that I have ever watched. It's not the jumpscares that makes it terrifying but the depth of the film and it's meaning sends chills down my spine. I recommend if you want something to reflect on.
5. Sunday Beauty Queen
   
   
   
   
   The film focuses on overseas Filipino workers (OFW) based in Hong Kong. It features a number of OFW domestic workers and their lives as they endure their jobs. Each Sunday, they hold a pageant because it's their only day-off. It makes you ponder on what OFWs specifically do when they're abroad.
   
   I have a few relatives who are OFWs and it makes me wonder what they face given that they live and work in a place away from family. I recommend if you want to learn about OFW life!