Manila's Finest (2025 film)

For other uses, see Manila's Finest.

Manila's Finest
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Raymond Red
Written by	Michiko Yamamoto Moira Lang Sherad Anthony Sanchez
Produced by	Peter Edward G. Dizon Piolo Pascual Erickson Raymundo Jeffrey Vadillo
Starring	Piolo Pascual Enrique Gil
Cinematography	Raymond Red
Edited by	Jay Halili Noe Paguiligan
Music by	Fred Sandoval Emerzon Texon
Production company	Cignal TV MQuest Ventures
Distributed by	Spring Films
Release date	December 25, 2025 (2025-12-25)
Running time	119 minutes
Country	Philippines
Language	Filipino

Manila's Finest is an upcoming Philippine crime thriller film directed and photographed by Raymond Red from a screenplay written by Michiko Yamamoto, Moira Lang, and Sherad Anthony Sanchez.

Produced by Cignal and MQuest Ventures, the film will be released theatrically on December 25, 2025, as part of the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival.

Premise

Set in 1969, it revolves around a group of police officers in Manila.

Cast

Main Cast

• Piolo Pascual as Capt. Homer Magtibay, an experienced police officer in Manila. ^[1] Pascual researched on life of being a police officer in the 1960s as part of his preparation for the role. ^[2]
• Enrique Gil as 1st Lt. Billy Ojeda, a young police officer who is Magtibay's partner in the profession. ^{[3] [4]}
• Ashtine Olviga as Agnes Magtibay, Homer's daughter. ^[5]
• Kiko Estrada as Carmelo de Leon
• Cedrick Juan as Officer Danilo Abad
• Romnick Sarmenta as Supertend Severino Meneses
• Joey Marquez as Officer Regelio Liwanag
• Dylan Menor as Officer Efren Taguyunon
• Ethan David as Cecilio Mendiola
• Soliman Cruz
• Ariel Rivera as Col. Conrad Belarmino
• Rica Peralejo as Yoly Matibay; Homer's wife and Anges's mother. This marks Peralejo’s return to acting after a long hiatus. ^{[6] [7]}
• Rico Blanco as Epifanio Javier
• Jasmine Curtis-Smith as Janette
• Paulo Angeles as Reman
• Inday Fatima as Betty
• Pearl Gonzales as Stella Javier, Epifanio's wife

Production

Manila's Finest was produced under Cignal TV and MQuest Ventures. ^[1] It was written by Michiko Yamamoto, Moira Lang, and Sherad Anthony Sanchez. ^[8] The film was submitted as a script for the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival. ^[9] Principal photography for the film began in October 2025. ^[10] It was produced to promote appreciation for the police force. ^[11]

Release

Manila's Finest is set to be released on December 25, 2025, in cinemas in the Philippines, as one of the official eight entries of the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival. ^[12]

References

1. Pagulong, Charmie Joy (September 2, 2025). "'Manila's Finest' marks Piolo Pascual's third straight MMFF project". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
2. Abunda, Boy. "Piolo at Rica, 'nagkabalikan'!". Pilipino Star Ngayon. The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
3. Marfori, MJ (December 13, 2025). "Why 'Manila's Finest' is a defining event for MMFF and Philippine cinema". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
4. "Cedrick Juan, hinay-hinay muna sa pagtanggap ng proyekto" [Cedrick Juan, for now is slowing down on accepting new projects]. PEP.ph (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. December 15, 2025. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
5. Pagulong, Charmie Joy (October 15, 2025). "Ashtine Olviga on playing Piolo Pascual's daughter in 'Manila's Finest'". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
6. Pagulong, Charmie Joy (October 27, 2025). "Rica Peralejo on reuniting with Piolo Pascual in 'Manila's Finest'". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
7. Toff C. (August 26, 2025). "Rica Peralejo to make acting comeback in MMFF entry 'Manila's Finest'". ABS-CBN News. PUSH. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
8. Santiago, Erwin (July 8, 2025). "First four official entries to MMFF 2025 announced". PEP.ph (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
9. Dela Cruz, Raymond Carl (July 9, 2025). "MMFF reveals first 4 entries for 2025 film festival". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
10. Red, Raymond (October 8, 2025). "MANILA'S FINEST now filming with Piolo Pascual, Jasmine Curtis, Rica Peralejo, Ashtine Olviga, Enrique Gil". rainmanred. Archived from the original on October 31, 2025. Retrieved October 31, 2025– via Instagram.
11. ‘Manila’s Finest’ starring Piolo Pacual, official entry ng MQuest sa 51st MMFF. Frontline Pilipinas (TV broadcast) (in Filipino). July 9, 2025 – via YouTube.
12. "Will, Dustin, at Klarisse naka-score ng tigdadalawang entries sa MMFF 2025" [Will, Dustin, and Klarisse scored two entries each at the MMFF 2025]. PEP.ph (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. October 11, 2025. Retrieved October 11, 2025.