MANILA – Vhong Navarro believes the exclusion of his movie “Mang Kepweng Returns” from this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is a blessing in disguise.

This after his film was given a playdate that coincides with his birthday in January.

“Hindi tayo talaga para sa December 25. Naging maganda nga rin po 'yung resulta ng playdate namin dahil mismong kaarawan ko, January 4, po 'yung playdate. Kaya happy naman ako na maganda 'yung magiging pasok ng 2017 sa akin,” he said.

Since it will be the first movie to be released in 2017, Navarro said he could not help but be nervous about how it is going to perform at the box office.

“Ang kaba ko kasi doon, siyempre after ng Pasko, alam naman natin na ang mga magulang ay kailangan mag-ipon naman para sa dadating na pasukan. Sana may natitira pa silang ipon or nagtabi sila ng konting pera para makapanood naman sila ng ‘Mang Kepweng Returns,’” he said.

Navarro said “Mang Kepweng Returns” is a project he is truly proud of.

“Sana bigyan kami ng chance panoorin dahil itong pelikula, kung makikita niyo ang effects namin, maganda. 'Yung story namin, maganda. Para na rin makilala nila kung sino ba si Mang Kepweng noon at kung sino na 'yung Mang Kepweng ngayon,” he said.

Although he has high hopes for his film, Navarro said he will just leave everything up to God.

“Binibigay ko na lahat kay Lord. Minsan kasi 'yung vibes ko, hindi nagtutugma. Merong maganda 'yung vibes ko, 'yun pala baka masaktan lang ako dahil hindi ko naabot 'yung ine-expect ko. Sa akin ngayon, mas naniniwala ako sa proyekto namin na alam ko maganda 'yung ginawa namin,” he said.

Directed by GB Sampedro, “Mang Kepweng Returns” also features Jaclyn Jose, Valeen Montenegro and Kim Domingo.