By Brian Campued
“Mabuhay ang pelikulang Pilipino!”
Ushering in a “New Era for Philippine Cinema,” the 51st edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) honored the best of the best among the eight entries during the “Gabi ng Parangal” in Makati City on Saturday.
Romance film “I’mPerfect”—a love story of people with Down syndrome—won Best Picture, while “Manila Finest” took home a total of eight awards, followed closely by “Unmarry” with seven trophies.
“I’mPerfect” Director Sigrid Andrea Bernardo hailed her cast, which also won Best Ensemble, expressing optimism that the Philippine film industry would continue to champion inclusivity and diversity.
“When I made this project, it was supposed to be just an advocacy, an awareness—pero ngayon, it’s a movement. So, sana po hindi lang po ito simula, sana po wala nang wakas ito. Let them be seen, be heard, and please include them,” Bernardo said.
Meanwhile, period crime thriller “Manila’s Finest” took home 3rd Best Picture, Best Original Theme Song, Best Sound, Best Cinematography, Best Musical Store, Best Production Design, Best Float, and the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award.
Romance drama “Unmarry”—which is the comeback film for Angelica Panganiban and director Jeffrey Jeturian—bagged 2nd Best Picture, Best Director for Jeffrey Jeturian, Breakthrough Performance for Zack Sibug, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor for Tom Rodriguez, Best Editing, and Best Float.
History-made
Perhaps the most notable victories of the night were of the lead acting performances—with multi-hyphenated star Vice Ganda winning Best Actor for portraying a gay man raising a kid on his own in the comedy drama film “Call Me Mother”, and newcomer Krystel Go, who clinched the Best Actress award for “I’mPerfect”.
“At last,” Vice Ganda quipped, holding his first Best Actor trophy in the MMFF since he joined the annual festival. “Mas ine-expect kong hindi nananalo. Mas ine-expect kong hindi nakikita. Mas ine-expect ko ‘yung nagugustuhan pero hindi pinipili. O mas nasasanay ako dito sa napipili pero hindi maaari. But tonight, maaari na.”
On the other hand, Go turned emotional after besting Panganiban, Bianca De Vera (“Love You So Bad”), and Nadine Lustre (“Call Me Mother”) to win the Best Actress in a Leading Role award.
“Maraming salamat po sa pagkakataon na ito para mabigyan kami ng boses at mapakita namin na kaya rin namin umarte,” said Go, who is a person with Down syndrome.
In his first public appearance after being appointed as the new general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, former Philippine National Police chief Nicholas Torre III hailed the 51st MMFF’s roster of films, underscoring the role of Philippine cinema in molding a nation’s cultural identity.
“Walong pelikulang sumasalamin sa iba’t ibang isyung hinaharap at patuloy nating hinaharap bilang isang sambayanang Pilipino,” Torre said. “Ang pelikula ay hindi lamang libangan, ito ay edukasyon—sa pamamagitan ng pelikulang Pilipino, maaari tayong magkaisa, magtulungan, at mas mahalin ang ating bansa.”
Below is the full list of winners in the MMFF 2025 Gabi ng Parangal:
- Best Picture: “I’mPerfect”
- 2nd Best Picture: “Unmarry”
- 3rd Best Picture: “Manila’s Finest” and “Call Me Mother”
- Best Director: Jeffrey Jeturian, “Unmarry”
- Best Actress: Krystel Go, “I’mPerfect”
- Best Actor: Vice Ganda, “Call Me Mother”
- Best Supporting Actress: Odette Khan, “Bar Boys: After School”
- Best Supporting Actor: Tom Rodriguez, “Unmarry”
- Best Child Performer: Lucas Andalio, “Call Me Mother”
- Breakthrough Performance: Zack Sibug, “Unmarry”
- Best Ensemble: “I’mPerfect”
- Best Screenplay: Chris Martinez and Therese Cayaba, “Unmarry”
- Best Cinematography: Raymond Red, “Manila’s Finest”
- Best Editing: Benjo Ferrer, “Unmarry”
- Best Production Design: Digo Ricio, “Manila’s Finest”
- Best Visual Effects: Santelmo, Inc., “Shake, Rattle, and Roll Evil Origins”
- Best Original Theme Song: “Sandalan” by Vehnee Saturno, “Manila’s Finest”
- Best Musical Score: Frederik Sandoval and Emerzon Texon, “Manila’s Finest”
- Best Sound: Roy Santos, “Manila’s Finest”
- Best Float: “Manila’s Finest” and “Unmarry”
- Gender Sensitivity Award: “Call Me Mother”
- Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award: “Manila’s Finest”
- Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence: “Bar Boys: After School”
- Montessa Male Stars of the Night: Will Ashley and Dustin Yu
- Montessa Female Star of the Night: Bianca de Vera
Meanwhile, multi-awarded actress Judy Ann Santos was conferred into the MMFF Hall of Fame for having won three Best Actress awards in the annual festival—”Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo” in 2006; “Mindanao” in 2019; and “Espantaho” in 2024—making her the youngest star to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Ericson Navarro also earned the Hall of Fame after winning Best Production Design for “Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2” in 2014, “Seklusyon” in 2016, “Sunod” in 2019, “Magikland” in 2020, and “GomBurZa” in 2023.
The MMFF also paid tribute to veteran actress, the late Nora Aunor, who holds the record for the most Best Actress wins since the festival began in 1975 at eight trophies.
The National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts joined her Creator on April 16. She was laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on April 22.
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