The golden edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival was recently held at the Grand Ballroom of Solaire Resorts and Casino in Paranaque.
Star studded and packed with mostly the lead cast of the 10 competing films of the twenty plus categories given that night, the 50th MMFF Gabi ng Parangal dazzled and sizzled with the presence of Vice Ganda, Eugene Domingo, Chanda Romero, Lorna Tolentino, Aga Muhlach, Ruru Madrid, Judy Ann Santos, Piolo Pascual, Sue Ramirez, Francine Diaz, Seth Fedelin, Arjo Atayde, Sid Lucero, Christine Reyes, Aicelle Santos, Nadine Lustre, Enrique Gil, Dennis Trillo and Ms. Vilma Santos.
Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) executives Chairman Atty. Romando S. Artes, Atty Rochelle Macapili-Ona, with former MMDA Chairperson Benhur Abalos among others were proud of the milestone that the MMFF has accomplished to date.
Not to be missed was the special appearance of former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada as he was bestowed the MMFF Lifetime Achievement Award and considered as Father of the MMFF. As trivia, President Estrada was also the first Best Actor winner for the film, Diligin Mo ng Hamog ang Uhaw na Lupa in 1975. Senator Jinggoy Estrada accompanied his father and read his acceptance speech.
The live event was hosted by Gabbi Garcia, Tim Yap, Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Robi Domingo who slayed it onstage with their Awards Night hosting prowess and impressive red-carpet gowns and suits.
The audience were anxious who would win this year’s coveted Best Picture award and best acting performances.
But after all the sealed envelopes were opened, it was Green Bones who took home Top Best Picture, with Ruru Madrid winning as Best Supporting Actor for Green Bones, theater actress Kakki Teodoro bagging her first win as Best Supporting Actress for Isang Himala.
It was also a triumph for Philippine theater as the musical Isang Himala directed by Pepe Diokno (Gomburza, 2023), proudly took home five trophies including Best Musical Scoring, 4th Best Picture and Special Jury Prize co-shared with the hard-hitting action Topakk.
Savoring their latest acting honors, Judy Ann Santos was announced Best Actress for the horror flick, Espantaho while Kapuso star Dennis Trillo took home his Best Actor citation for Green Bones.
There was also a tie for Best Director/s for the films, The Kingdom and My Future You. Congratulations Direk Michael Tuviera and Crisanto Aquino.
Another tie went for the winners of Best Float. Give it up for the highly creative floats of Uninvited and Topakk.
Here is the Honor Roll of the MMFF 2024 winners:
- MMFF Lifetime Achievement Award
- Joseph “Erap” Ejercito Estrada
- Best Float
- Uninvited and Topakk
- Gender Sensitivity
- And the Breadwinner Is…
- 3rd Best Student Short Film
- PNB 12-50 (University of the Philippines Mindanao)
- 2nd Best Student Short Film
- A Delivery Rider (City of Malabon University)
- Best Student Short Film
- Saan Aabot ang Singkwenta Pesos Mo? (University of Makati)
- Special Jury Prize
- Inang Wak-Wak (Mindanao State University-General Santos)
- Best Visual Effects
- The Kingdom (Riot Inc.)
- Best Child Performer
- Sienna Stevens, Green Bones
- Best Musical Score
- Vincent de Jesus, Isang Himala
- Best Sound
- Ditoy Aguila, Strange Frequencies, Taiwan Killer Hospital
- Best Original Theme Song
- “Ang Himala Ay Nasa Puso” from Isang Himala, by Vincent de Jesus and Ricky Lee, interpreted by Juan Karlos
- Best Editing
- Vanessa Ubas de Leon, My Future You
- Best Cinematography
- Neil Daza, Green Bones
- Best Production Design
- Nestor Abrogena, The Kingdom
- Best Supporting Actress
- Kakki Teodoro, Isang Himala
- Best Supporting Actor
- Ruru Madrid, Green Bones
- Breakthrough Performance Award
- Seth Fedelin, My Future You
- Special Jury Citation
- Vice Ganda
- Best Screenplay
- Ricky Lee and Angeli Atienza, Green Bones
- Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award
- Topakk
- Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award
- The Kingdom
- Best Actor
- Dennis Trillo, Green Bones
- Best Actress
- Judy Ann Santos, Espantaho
- Special Jury Prize
- Topakk and Isang Himala
- Best Director
- Crisanto Aquino, My Future You, and Michael Tuviera, The Kingdom
- 4th Best Picture
- Isang Himala
- 3rd Best Picture
- My Future You
- 2nd Best Picture
- The Kingdom
- Best Picture
- Green Bones
There was also a huge clamor and request for more cinemas on some films, lacking in screen time especially in the provinces. Hopefully theater owners give in to the request.
Congratulations to all the winners!
The 50th Metro Manila Film Festival runs until January 7, 2025 in cinemas nationwide.
Mabuhay ang Pelikulang Pilipino!