Bossing, Kris Aquino, Vice Ganda lead the 13 semifinalist for 2014 MMFF

People ask: The more things change, the more they stay the same?

Vic Sotto, Kris Aquino and Vice Ganda

The new film, "My Big Bossing Adventures", is not co-produced by Kris Aquino Productions this time and does not also include Kris Aquino and Bimby in the Cast.

Kris herself will return in the MMFF with a sequel to her 2004 horro blockbuster. "Feng Shui" that earned her the title of Box Office Horror Queen. Again to be directed by Chito Roño. "Feng Shui 2" will will also be headline by Coco Martin.

Vice Ganda will look to duplicate  or even surpass the success last year of "Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy" with "Praybet Benjamin 2", the sequel of the top grossing Filipino film of 2011. Also starring Richard Yap, the film will again be directed by Vice's longtime collaborator, Wenn V. Deramas.

That seems to be the case as far as the line-up of semifinalists for the 2014 Metro Manila Film Festival is connected. Thirteen entries made the shortlist that will eventually be trimmed down to eight.

Last year's Best Actor winner, Robin Padilla, as back with "Bonifacio", a new biopic on the controversial national hero. Cesar Montano, who previously won an MMFF Best Supporting Actor award for his portrayal of Andres Bonifacio in "El Presidente", is also in this year's shortlist with "Kid Kulafu".

Other sequels in the film festival are Erik Matti's "Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2" and a new "Shake Rattle and Roll" film directed by Jerrold Tarog.

And in a year of professional and political setbacks, former Laguna Gov. Jeorge "E.R Ejercito" hopes to find some silver lining with "Magnum Muslim .357", a possible remake of Fernando Poe , Jr's similarly titled "Muslim Magnum .357".

Among the newer films, easily the most surprising and intriguing submission is Pepe Diokno's "Above The Clouds", a film headlined by Pinoy Rock legend Joey "Pepe" Smith and promising newcomer Ruru Madrid.

Also in the mix is superstar Nora Aunor's "Whistle Blower" directed by Adolfo Alix, Jr. and co-starring Cherry Pie Picache.