Nora Aunor, the most-awarded actress in Philippine cinema here and abroad, is set to return to Metro Manila Film Festival with the powerful family drama “Kabisera” which is set to open in cinemas nationwide on December 25, 2016.

After winning a record 8 times for best performance as a lead actress for films such as “Atsay” (1978), “Ina Ka ng Anak Mo” (1979), “Himala” (1982), “Bulaklak ng City Jail” (1984), “Andrea Paano Ba ang maging Isang Ina?” (1990), “Ang Totoong Buhay ni Pacita M.” (1991), “Muling Umawit ang Puso” (1995), and “Thy Womb” (2012), Aunor is making her much-awaited comeback in MMFF.

The Superstar is expected to reap her 9th MMFF Best actress trophy with her remarkable performance as a wife who takes the central seat (“Kabisera”) at her home’s dinner table after her husband was murdered and her tightly knit family starts to fall apart.

After learning the meaning of “Kabisera” and how Aunor will play the central character in the story, it gave me chills.

This is because the center chair of a table–Kabisera–has been a symbolic seat of power at home. The ‘head of the house’ usually enjoys the view as he or she watches the banter of the whole family while sharing food and happy stories. Fate could however throw uncertainties. A happy dining could just end up a long memory from the past. Honor, trust and loyalty are some of the values that are tested with this newest MMFF entry as it exposes imperfections that reign the lives of the Filipinos today, and how in the end we all stand up for what’s right and what is more important to us.

“Ang pamilya ang pinakaimportanteng kayamanan na mayroon ang Pilipino. Sa bagong hakbang ng MMFF ngayon na magbigay ng higit na makabuluhang pelikula sa industrya, naisip namin bakit di tayo gumawa ng storyang malapit talaga sa puso ng bawat Pinoy. We’re talking about value and and what’s more valuable for us Pinoys than the family?”, said Director Real Florido when asked why they chose this plot for Firestarters Manila Productions’ first Metro Manila Film Festival project.

Aunor will be supported by a powerhouse cast in the film. They are Gawad Urian Best Actors, Ricky Davao and Jason Abalos; Urian Best Supporting Actor Menggie Cobbarubias; QCinema Best Actor, JC de Vera; MMFF Best Supporting Actor, Victor Neri; Sinag Maynila Best Actress Ces Quesada; Cine Filipino Best Actor Karl Medina, and; Gawad Urian Best Supporting Actress Perla Bautista.

Ronwaldo Martin (brother of Coco Martin), Kiko Matos and Alex San Agustin are also in the cast.

“Inaanyayahan namin ang publiko na umupo sa mga sinehan ngayong pasko bilang simbolo ng pagtayo para sa pelikulang Pilipino. We are inviting them na umupo sa KABISERA, manood kasama ang mga mahal sa buhay, bilang pagtayo para sa kanilang Pamilya”, according to the film’s producer, RJ Augustin, who is also one of the artist featured in the said film.

“Kabisera” also boasts of local and international award-winning crew like cinematographer, Topel Lee; production designer Mark Sabas; musical scorer, Vince De Jesus and editor Tara Illenberger to name a few.

The MMFF Screening Committee cited the film’s quality in choosing “Kabisera” as part of the 8 official entries this year:

“A sure, steady directorial hand, conscientious script and effective cinematography are matched by the lead actors’ faultless performances. This taut and tragic drama will disturb viewers with its stark chronology of what confronts us daily in an often oppressive urban milieu, with the final imagery delivering a subtle footnote to our awareness of the proper place of vaunted justice in our society.”

The film is rated R-13 by the MTRCB.

For more updates about “Kabisera,” like the film’s official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kabiserafilm.

Watch the full trailer of “Kabisera” below: