Mother Lily is mulling about not partaking in future MMFF's anymore having been hurt by a recent disqualification

MANILA, Philippines – Lily Monteverde is "sad and hurt" over the decision of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) executive committee to disqualify her film, “Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow,” from four award categories in the 37th MMFF.

“Ngayon lang nangyari sa Regal ito sa history ng filmfest," said she in an interview with Journal Online. “I'm sad and hurt but what can I do? It’s their decision."

"Perhaps it’s a sign na hindi na ako [dapat] sumali sa festival,” the Regal Films matriarch added.

In a separate report on GMA News, Monteverde lamented what she claimed was the MMFF committee’s supposed bias against her film entry.

Monteverde said she couldn’t understand why the MMFF deigned to decide on the matter on the eve of the MMFF awards night when they had already shown the same via an advance screening a week prior.

“Sana walang discrimination," said she, adding that being among longtime patrons of the local movie, she should have at least been given a bit of consideration.

“I’ve been here (movie industry) for the past 52 years,” she stressed. “And I’ve gotten so many tears, pain but I really love the industry so much from the bottom of my heart."

She clarified that she is only expressing how she feels and is not trying to pick a fight with the MMFF committee.

Regal Film’s eventually released an official statement concerning the matter Tuesday.

It read thus:

“Regal is shocked, dismayed and deeply hurt by the MMFF’s decision to disqualify its entry: ‘Yesterday Today Tomorrow’ to receive awards in certain categories.

“The reason cited by MMFF is an alleged major deviation in the storyline.

“It is quite disturbing that the decision was handed out on the very same day as the awards night.

“Regal was not even informed, not until yesterday (27 Dec. 2011), on any complaint by MMFF with regard to the script and the cast despite the fact that MMFF execom previewed the entry last 18 Dec. 2011.

“MMFF’s letter dated 26 Dec. 2011 merely alluded to ‘certain’ deviation without any indication that this was considered ‘major’ under MMFF Rules.

“Regal wants to make it clear that it committed no violation of the MMFF Rules an regulations.          

“There was no major deviation in the storyline. While the script was slightly modified, this was done primarily to suit changes in the cast of which MMFF had prior notice as per Regal’s letter dated 23 November 2011.

“The genre and essence of the film were never changed. All the necessary elements required by MMFF that will make the final script identifiable with the one originally submitted are intact.

“The film festival is supposed to be an opportunity to unify the film industry.

“This unfortunate event, however, mars such a beautiful endeavor and unduly limits artistic freedom, which was exercised to increase the film’s box-office appeal, not for Regal alone but for the MMFF as well.

“Regal thanks the public for continuing to support its movies and the others shown in the festival as well.

“This statement is being issued not in the expectation to win but simply to correct an unfair decision which serves no purpose but to divide an already vulnerable industry.”