By Brian Jules Campued
Fantasy film “Firefly” bagged the Best Picture, while “GomBurZa” came home with the biggest haul of the night with seven awards at the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Gabi ng Parangal on Wednesday, Dec. 27.
“Firefly” Director Zig Dulay thanked the team behind the film, which also won Best Screenplay and Best Child Actor for Euwenn Mikaell.
“Inaalay namin ang pelikula sa mga naniniwala sa kapangyarihan ng pangarap, kapangyarihan ng pag-ibig, at kapangyarihan ng sining,” Dulay said.
Meanwhile, historical film “GomBurZa” took home the 2nd Best Picture, Best Director for Pepe Diokno, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Sound Design, and the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award.
Notably, theater actor Cedrick Juan who played the role of Jose Burgos bested Piolo Pascual (“Mallari”), Dingdong Dantes (“Rewind”), Alden Richards (“Family of Two”), and Christopher de Leon (“When I Met You in Tokyo”) as he won Best Actor.
“Inaalay ko po itong parangal para sa lahat ng Pilipinong hindi nakakakuha ng tamang hustisya,” the GomBurZa actor said in his acceptance speech.
Horror film “Mallari”, as well as Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon’s comeback film “When I Met You in Tokyo” each won four awards including Best Supporting Actor for JC Santos and Best Actress for Vilma Santos, respectively.
MMFF Executive Chairperson and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Deputy Chairperson Frisco San Juan Jr. commended the outstanding achievement and creativity exhibited by Filipino filmmakers, producers, crew members, and actors.
“The MMFF has always been committed to promoting and recognizing the remarkable talent and artistry of our filmmakers. We are proud to say that this year’s roster of films has once again showcased the diversity and richness of our cinematic landscape,” San Juan said during the ceremony.
Below is the full list of winners:
- Best Picture: “Firefly”
- 2nd Best Picture: “GomBurZa”
- 3rd Best Picture: “Mallari”
- 4th Best Picture: “When I Met You In Tokyo”
- Best Actress: Vilma Santos, “When I Met You In Tokyo”
- Best Actor: Cedrick Juan, “GomBurZa”
- Best Supporting Actress: Miles Ocampo, “Family of Two”
- Best Supporting Actor: JC Santos, “Mallari”
- Best Child Performer: Euwenn Mikaell, “Firefly”
- Best Director: Pepe Diokno, “GomBurZa”
- Best Screenplay: “Firefly”
- Best Cinematography: “GomBurZa”
- Best Editing: “Kampon”
- Best Production Design: “GomBurZa”
- Best Visual Effects: “Mallari”
- Best Original Song: “Finggah Lickin” by Eugene Domingo, “Becky and Badette”
- Best Musical Score: “Mallari”
- Best Sound Design: “GomBurZa”
- Best Float: “When I Met You In Tokyo”
- Gender Sensitivity Award: “Becky and Badette”
- Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award: “GomBurZa”
- Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence: “When I Met You in Tokyo”
- Marichu Vera Perez Maceda Memorial Award: Lily Monteverde, Regal Films
– cf