An official entry in the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival, Manila’s Finest opens in cinemas nationwide this Christmas Day, taking audiences back to the gritty streets of 1969 Manila. Crafted with striking period detail by Cannes Palme d’Or–winning director Raymond Red, the film may dazzle with vintage cruisers and crisp uniforms, but its true power lies beneath the surface, a story as urgent today as it was decades ago, reminding us that integrity, family, and moral courage never go out of style.
At its core, the film is a gripping police procedural following Captain Homer Magtibay (Piolo Pascual) and his idealistic partner Lieutenant Billy Ojeda (Enrique Gil) as they navigate a city on the brink, beset by gang wars and corruption that feel eerily familiar. Yet Manila’s Finest is ultimately a deeply Filipino story about family, both by blood and by choice. Magtibay is not only a dedicated officer but also a father to his daughter Agnes (Ashtine Olviga), struggling to protect his principles in a world that constantly tests them. His belief that change must begin with oneself resonates beyond the screen, offering parents and children alike a powerful lesson in accountability.
For Gen Z and millennials, embodied by Ojeda’s fire and idealism, the film speaks directly to the search for purpose, proving that being “the finest” is defined not by a badge, but by character. The brotherhood among the officers reflects the Filipino spirit of bayanihan, while challenging audiences to distinguish between blind loyalty and principled unity.
This holiday season, Manila’s Finest invites families to come together. Watch for the stellar performances, stay for the conversations it inspires. As an MMFF 2025 entry opening Christmas Day, it is a cinematic journey to the past that ultimately shows us exactly what we need to uphold today, for our values, our city, and our families.
