Vic Sotto and Vice Ganda during the premiere night of “The Kingdom” and “And the Breadwinner Is…,” respectively. Images: Courtesy of MQuest Ventures and Star Cinema

Since Vic Sotto and Vice Ganda’s return to the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) this 2024 was met with anticipation, the two comedians are humbled that many families look forward to their presence at the annual festival.

Sotto made his MMFF 2024 comeback as the brooding Lakan Makisig in “The Kingdom” while Vice returned to the festival as the hardworking Bambi Salvador in “And the Breadwinner Is…” after five and two years, respectively. But their individual comebacks are a shift from their usual brand of comedy.

“Hindi naman (I don’t think so),” Sotto told INQUIRER.net when asked if he believes that the film fest would be incomplete without him in the cast of a movie.

“Nataon lang na I started a long time ago because the ‘Okay Ka, Fairy Ko’ movies were a festival entry. Konting pahinga tapos dere-derecho na ang sampung ‘Enteng Kabisote’ films,” he continued.

(It just so happens that I started a long time ago because the “Okay Ka, Fairy Ko” movies were a festival entry. I rested for a bit then I took on 10 consecutive “Enteng Kabisote” films.)

Meanwhile, Vice said being considered a common fixture in a Filipino Christmas moviegoing tradition is “flattering” for him. “Parang normal na nandyan ako kapag pasko. Iba kapag wala ako [sa MMFF] kaya masarap sa pakiramdam kasi bahagi na talaga ako ng pamilya nila,” he said during the “And the Breadwinner Is…” media con.

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(Like it’s normal for them to see me every Christmas. It’s nice to hear because my absence at the MMFF was felt by many. It’s like I’m part of their families as well.)

For the actor-comedian, it is a “bonus” for him to be considered as such. “‘Yun ang bonus na nakuha ko dito sa pagpasok ko sa showbiz — maging parte na ako ng mga pamilya ng napakaraming tao,” he said of the recognition.

“‘Yung tipong bukod sa ‘It’s Showtime,’ parte na ako sa pasko ng napakaraming Pilipino. Natutuwa ako kapag sinasabi nila ‘yun,” he continued.

(I consider this to be a bonus since I entered showbiz — to be part of many families. Aside from “It’s Showtime,” I’m part of the Christmas of many Filipinos. It makes me happy when they see me as such.)

Other big stars returning to the film festival are Vilma Santos, Aga Muhlach, Nadine Lustre, Piolo Pascual, Judy Ann Santos, Lorna Tolentino, Gladys Reyes, and Eugene Domingo.