MANILA -- Ted Boborol, the director of "Vince & Kath & James," is still in a state of shock, days after the movie was announced as part of the eight official entries to the Metro Manila Film Festival 2016.

• READ: Here are the films competing in MMFF 2016

In an interview with Push, the budding director said he never expected that their film, which is considered a "low-budget" production, will make it to the list.

"Sobra kaming kabado kasi una sa lahat, tatlo 'yung isinubmit ng Star Cinema at para sa akin kami yung parang dark horse at hindi expected na makakapasok. Kasi una, hindi siya ganun ka-big budget. Pangalawa, baguhan 'yung mga artista ko at baguhan din ako bilang director, di ba?" he said.

Despite having a small budget and amateur actors in its cast, Boborol said his team exerted much effort to produce a good quality film. And, indeed, their hard work paid off.

“So what we did was really just make a good movie, a beautiful movie. We submitted it, we were really hoping na pumasa kasi it will really be a big help for the movie especially since baguhan yung mga artista ko. So nu’ng in-announce na, nagtilian kami, nag-iyakan kami,” he said.

• READ: Julia Barretto opens up about 'Vince and Kath' movie

Boborol added that, as a filmmaker, he does everything to produce a movie that is worthy of an audience's time and money.

“When I do a movie, I make sure, even if it’s mainstream or formula or romcom I make sure that I make a quality film. 'Yon naman yung pinaka-aim ko as a director. Kasi para sa akin, ayokong i-short change 'yung audience, they need to… if they love the movie it’s because we did a quality film and mag-i-enjoy sila. Ayoko namang gumawa para lang kumita,” he added.

Meanwhile, Jenny Ruth Almocera, the author of the hit socialserye "Vince & Kath," also expressed her delight that the film made it to MMFF.

"Grabe mangiyak-ngiyak ako nu'ng nalaman ko na pasok sa MMFF 2016 yung 'Vince & Kath & James.' Sa dinami dami ng nagpasa ng entry, lahat magagaling. Pero umpisa pa lang, laki na ng tiwala ko sa Star Cinema. And kahit bago lang sila Julia and Joshua, laki talaga ng tiwala ko sakanila. Something new, something fresh," she told ABS-CBN News.

Almocera, who is popularly known as Queen Elly, also thanked ABS-CBN for the opportunity. Apart from this film, she also has two books published under ABS-CBN Publishing Inc.

• READ: Meet the young mom behind 'Kath & Vince'