MANILA -- Comedian and TV host Vic Sotto has finally opened up on the exclusion of his movie "Enteng Kabisote 10 and The Abangers" from this year's Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

In an interview with ABS-CBN News' Mario Dumaual, the 62-year old MMFF veteran said he respects the decision of the selection committee, but also asked them to respect the preference of other moviegoers, who seemed disappointed with this year's so-called "Magic 8."

"Nirerespeto ko ang panlasa ng MMFF screening committee pero sana respetuhin din nila ang panlasa ng ibang manonood na nabalewala," he said.

• READ: Here are the films competing in MMFF 2016

The latest installment of the Enteng Kabisote series follows the reluctant hero in his latest fantasy-adventure. Since his last adventure in Engkantasya, Enteng, who has become an ironworks and robotics magnate, has settled down as a businessman, community leader, and a doting lolo to his grandchild Benokis, while his son Benok (Oyo Boy Sotto) tackles fatherhood and his duty as a law enforcer. Little does he know that trouble is brewing and he will be called on once again to save the world.

Apart from "Enteng Kabisote 10 and The Abangers," the Vice Ganda and Coco Martin starrer "The Super Parental Guardians" and Regal Films' "Mano Po 7: Chinoy" also failed to make it to the cut.

Sotto's movies for the MMFF have consistently made money in the box office, while last year, Vice Ganda and Martin's MMFF entry "Beauty and the Bestie" became the country's highest grossing film of all time.

• READ: A first in years: No Vice Ganda, Vic Sotto movies in MMFF

Vice Ganda earlier said he does not feel offended by the exclusion of "The Super Parental Guardians," after seeing the overwhelming support of his fans and followers on social media.

"Basta ako, naniniwala ako na when you give the people what they want to have and what they want to feel after watching the movie --iyong paglabas nila ng sinehan, nakuha ng tao ang gusto niyang makuha pagkatapos ng pelikula na 'yun, iyon ang quality," he said.

Martin, on the other hand, said he believes that everything happens for a reason.

“Siyempre nakakalungkot na hindi siya nakasali. Pero sabi ko na lang sa sarili ko, alam ko, may magandang purpose ito," he said.

For him, what matters is the movie will still be shown to cinemas, albeit a little earlier than expected.

Both "Enteng Kabisote 10 and The Abangers" and "The Super Parental Guardians" will hit the cinemas on November 30.

Asked about the playdate, Sotto joked: "Mami-miss ko sina Coco at Vice kaya sabay-sabay pa rin kami sa sinehan."

"Malulungkot sila pag wala ako!" he added.