“CALL Me Mother,” starring Vice Ganda, Nadine Lustre and child actor Lucas Andalio, emerged as the clear box-office leader on the opening day of the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), based on revenue estimates from multiple cinema industry sources, including producers and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). As in previous years, the MMFF has not come up with the official box-office figures. But sources monitoring the competition showed a decisive early lead for the Jun Robles Lana-directed film. According to Pep.ph, producers, and MMDA-linked sources, “Call Me Mother” earned about P49 million on its first day. The film continued its strong run the following day, adding an estimated P29 million. A wide gap separated the top-grossing film from the rest of the field. Coming in second, “Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins,” reportedly earned about P20 million on opening day. On third was “UnMarry,” starring Angelica Panganiban and Zanjoe Marudo. While trailing the top two, the film posted solid attendance, with reports of sold-out evening screenings across several theaters. Fourth on the list was “Bar Boys: After School.” Moviegoers noted group audiences gravitating toward the film, while 901 Studios announced an increase in the number of cinemas screening the Carlo Aquino–led entry, which also stars Rocco Nacino, Enzo Pineda, Kean Cipriano, Will Ashley and Odette Khan. In fifth place was the romantic drama “Love You So Bad,” starring Will Ashley, Bianca de Vera and Dustin Yu. “I’m Perfect,” featuring Earl Amaba and Krystel Go, both actors with Down Syndrome, is sixth. “Manila’s Finest,” starring Piolo Pascual and Enrique Gil, placed seventh, while “Rekonek,” with a cast that includes Gerald Anderson, members of the Legaspi family, Bela Padilla, Andrea Brillantes and Gloria Diaz, ranked eighth. Altogether, the eight entries earned an estimated P98 million on opening day, with roughly half garnered by “Call Me Mother.” Vice Ganda thanked moviegoers in a social media post late Christmas night. “Thank you so, so much, Madlang People!!!! We just finished going around the cinemas. Every time I get back into the car, there’s always a moment when I just pause and space out. The love you’ve shown me is incredible. I truly feel it. I’m overwhelmed. Thank you so much!” the comedian wrote. As of this writing, the filmfest’s jury had not announced the winners. The panel is headed by Doy del Mundo, a highly respected screenwriter, director and author whose body of work includes the documentaries "People Media" (1978) and "Lupa" (1982). The 51st MMFF Gabi ng Parangal was held Dec. 27 at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City. Ahead of the festival, organizers held the MMFF Golf Tournament, where one participant won a brand-new car from Geely Philippines. Proceeds from the festival support key industry beneficiaries, including the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation, the Film Academy of the Philippines, the Motion Picture Anti-Film Piracy Council, the Optical Media Board and the Film Development Council of the Philippines.