MANILA — Bianca De Vera, Will Ashley, and Dustin Yu are set to fly to Dubai to join the Metro Manila Film Festival’s free concert for the Filipino community in the Middle East on January 10.
The three stars of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry "Love You So Bad" are among the artists and film casts who will take part in “Konsyerto Para sa Filipino,” a free event organized bythe MMFF for overseas Filipinos.
The concert will be held at the Dubai Exhibition Center in Expo City, with gates opening as early as 3 p.m.
According to the MMFF, the event will also feature meet-and-greet sessions with casts from 51st MMFF films "Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins," "UnMarry," "Bar Boys: After School," and "I’mPerfect."
World-class performances are also expected from Filipino artists Bamboo, Morissette, Sofronio Vasquez, and John Arcilla, along with Enchong Dee and MJ Lastimosa.
Ahead of their departure, Yu shared that they have been preparing for their performance.
“Nagpa-practice na po kaming kumanta,” said Yu, who described their first MMFF entry as a milestone in their careers.
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“First time namin magkaroon ng MMFF entry so talagang memorable 'yun for us. Talagang dream come true siya for us. Lahat naman ng artista pinapangarap magkaroon ng pelikulang makakasama sa MMFF,” he said.
He added that meeting Filipino supporters abroad makes the experience even more meaningful.
“Super excited to meet all of you. Madami kaming nakikita na talagang mga Pilipino na sumusuporta sa amin during 'PBB' days pa lang and ngayon na nagkaroon kami ng pelikula, super grateful kami,” Yu said.
De Vera, meanwhile, said the Dubai concert is a long-awaited chance to connect with Filipinos working overseas.
“Ang tagal na po naming hinihintay na ma-meet yung aming fellow Filipinos. Siyempre alam namin na this Christmas, malayo kami sa kanila and they’ve been away from their families,” she said.
De Vera also revealed that the group has been helping each other prepare vocally for the concert.
“Vino-voice lesson ko po silang dalawa kasi parang kailangan talaga nilang mag-keep up with me and with my voice. Actually, sa morning si Dustin, sa gabi naman si Will. Vice versa,” she said.
She ended with a message of gratitude for their supporters in the Philippines and abroad.
“Tulad ng lagi naming sinasabi, maraming, maraming salamat po sa unconditional love and support. For our supporters here in the Philippines and all the way in Dubai and other countries, maraming, maraming salamat po. We love you and hinding-hindi po magbabago ‘yun,” De Vera said.
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Ashley echoed the excitement, saying that bringing their MMFF film to an international audience is something they are thankful for.
“Hindi lang naman para sa Pilipinas ang aming pelikula and we’re very grateful na madadala namin siya sa Dubai. Of course, we’re very excited to see 'yung mga kababayan natin na nasa Dubai,” he said.
Ashley also expressed hope for more film projects in the future.
“Hoping po kaming lahat na magkaroon kami ng panibagong pelikula dahil iba rin 'yung feeling na makapag-express ka ng sarili mo through film,” he added.
The MMFF said admission to the concert is free, with details on ticket access available through its official Facebook page.