Viva Films has confirmed that “2nd Miracle in Cell No. 7,” the sequel to its acclaimed 2019 family drama, will screen on Christmas Day as an official entry to the 52nd Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
The studio announced the news on its official Facebook page, describing the project as the return of the “phenomenal Philippine family-drama movie that touched millions of hearts.” The film is written by Mel Mendoza-Del Rosario and directed by Nuel Crisostomo Naval.
The sequel builds on the original Filipino adaptation of the hit South Korean drama, which centered on a father with an intellectual disability wrongfully imprisoned for a crime he did not commit, and his bond with his young daughter. According to GMA News Online, the sequel is headlined by Aga Muhlach, who played the lead role in the 2019 version. Viva’s post tagged actress Xia Vigor, who portrayed the daughter in the original film, though the studio’s announcement did not specify the full cast for the sequel.
The film is among the first four official entries unveiled at the festival’s kickoff event held at GH Mall in San Juan. The Manila Times reported that the entries were selected from 26 script submissions. Joining “2nd Miracle in Cell No. 7” in the initial lineup are “The GrEATest SHOWdown,” starring Vice Ganda and Vic Sotto and directed by Jun Robles Lana; “Haunted Carnival” from Regal Entertainment Inc.; and “Amir,” produced by GMA Pictures and directed by Zig Dulay. The remaining four entries are expected to be announced in the coming months.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairperson and MMFF head Don Artes announced at the event that ticket prices during the festival will be capped at P299, following an agreement between the MMDA and the Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines. Artes also said the festival will expand beyond its host cities of San Juan and Mandaluyong, with Bacolod City set to host various MMFF-related activities in December.
The 52nd Metro Manila Film Festival opens in cinemas nationwide on December 25.
