Despite having a showbiz career spanning 14 years, this 2010 marks the first time that Diether Ocampo will field an entry to the annual Metro Manila Film Fest. He appears in one of the eight competing MMFF entries, the horror film Dalaw. In addtion, he also topbills Slow Fade, one of the five indie films that will serve as the prelude to the 36^th MMFF.


Diether graced the launch of the fourth annual World Food Hunger Relief campaign in the Philippines that took place last Sunday afternoon, November 28. The ABS-CBN actor revealed that they have already raised P2 million out of the P2.5 million target amount that they hope to raise this year.


To help raise the needed amount for the benefit of school children living in war-torn areas in Mindanao, Diether allowed the WFP, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell to use his photographs and signature in designing Christmas post cards that will be sold to the public for P40. All the proceeds will go to the World Food Programme, which will be in charge of providing nutritious meals for underprivileged students. The Christmas postcards are available in Pizza Hut and Taco Bell branches.

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During the launch, Diether talked a bit about his upcoming MMFF entry titled Dalaw. He is cast as the fiancé of Kris Aquino in this horror film co-produced by Star Cinema and Cinemedia.


"Wala pa sa kalahati ang na-shoot namin," admits Diether. "Pero I think mabilis na lang kasi tapos na ang mabibigat na eksena." 


How was it like working with Kris for this movie?  "Masaya, masaya! Yung iba na-i-intimidate na makatrabaho sa kanya, ewan ko kung bakit,"  he said with a smile.


"Masaya sa set, she's very professional, magaan katrabaho. Minsan ang staff, ang crew, na ang gumi-give up na sa trabaho pero siya tuloy pa rin. Workaholic, 'yon ang na-realize ko nang maka-trabaho ko si Kris. I guess it will all work out pag pinalabas na ang pelikula." 


He also realized another admirable trait of Kris—her generosity.


"She has a big heart. A lot of people may not be aware of it but marami siyang ginagawa na hindi natin nalalaman. She's been doing it silently and she's been very supportive. Nag-pledge na nga siya ng contributions niya for some of the projects of K.I.D.S. Foundation. I'm pretty sure, susuporta rin siya para sa programa natin dito sa World Food Programme."


Aside from starring in Dalaw, Diether also topbills the indie film Slow Fade produced by Cinemabuhay. In this film, he portrays a man who has been diagnosed with cancer, so he decides to create videos that he would leave behind for his unborn child.