First Time At MMFF Awards: Winners, Controversies, and Scene Stealers!

It has been a tradition for many Filpinos to watch the Metro Manila Film Festival during Christmas season where parents got their bonuses and children their "aguinaldo" from their ninongs and ninangs. And I also would watch these films, if they seem to get my attention and if I would have time. 

For this year, I am happy that beyond covering press conferences and movie premiere of the films, I will be able to see the Metro Manila Film Festival Awards Night which will be held in the newly renovated Kia Theatre (New Frontier Theater) which we visited in our Quezon City Tour. This will be a first for me, even I am exposed to the entertainment industry for years. 

And like other awards nights that I have attended, the red carpet was filled with the stars and crew of the entries for the festival. But of course the MMFF this year was also filled with controversy with the issues of Ticket-Swapping and Disqualification for Best Picture. But "the show must go on" despite this, and whoever wins this year will definitely be the talk of many on various media.

This year we have the following entries

• All You Need Is Pag-Ibig
• Beauty and the Bestie
• Buy Now, Die Late
• Huanted Mansion
• Honor Thy Father
• My Bebe Love #KiligPaMore
• Nilalang
• #WalangForever

New Wave

• ARI: My Life With A King
• Mandirigma
• Tandem
• Toto
• Turo-Turo

Short films

• Daisy - Brian Reyes
• Ding Mangasyas (Tough Guys) - Justine Emmanuel Dizon
• Lapis - Maricel Cariaga
• Momento - Jan-Kyle Nieva
• Mumu - Jean Cheryl Tagyamon

Animated films

• 8 - Johanna Kay Boncodin
• Buttons- Marvel Obemio, Francis Ramirez & Jared Garcia
• Geo - John Aurthur Mercader
• Little Lights - Rivelle Mallari
• Marvino's League of Superheroes - Ja Marti Escandor

And since it was a delayed telecast on TV5, the night is expected to be long. and the host of the night Richard Gutierrez and KC Concepcion tried to entertain the people while waiting for cues. There was the dance numbers of Yassi Pressman, Alonzo Mulach, and Maria Ozawa.

Like other awards nights, the winners gave their minute of speech of appreciation but two winners draw attention for the night, Erik Matti and Maine Mendoza, who were both not present. Erik Matti sent a representative to read his speech which condemns the unfair process. Maine Mendoza, made news as she bested among the nominees who are veteran actresses as best supporting actress for the light film My Bebe Love #KiligPaMore. 
So here are the list of the winners for the night.

• Best Picture: #WalangForever
• Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award: My Bebe ove #KiligPaMore
• Best Director: Erik Matti (Honor Thy Father)
• Best Festival Actor: Jericho Rosales (#WalangForever)
• Best festival Actress: Jennelyn Mercado (#WalangForever)
• Best Festival Supporting Actor: Tirso Cruz III (Honor Thy Father)
• Best Festival Supporting Actress: Maine Mendoza (My Bebe ove #KiligPaMore)

• Best Child Performer: Krystal Brimmer (Honor Thy Father)
• Best Cinemography: Pao Orendain (Nilalang)
• Best Screenplay: Paul Sta. Ana (#WalangForever)
• Best Original Story: Dan Villegas & Antoinette Jadaone (#WalangForever)

• Best Production Design: Angel Diesta (Nilalang)
• Best Editing: Jason Cahapay (Nilalang)
• Best Visual Effects: Pedro Chuidian & Rommel Pambid (Buy Now, Die Later)
• Best Make-Up Artist: Ryan Pangalinan & Erika Racela (Honor Thy Father)

• Best Original Theme Song: "Tao" (Honor Thy Father)
• Best Musical Score: Jessie Lasaten (Nilalang)
• Best Sound Engineering: Ditoy Aguila (Nilalang)
• Best Float: Buy Now, Die Later
• Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award of Excellence: #WalangForever

Other special awards

• Plaque of Appreciation – Francis Tolentino
• Male Celebrity of the Night – Cesar Montano
• Female Celebrity of the Night – Jennylyn Mercado
• New Wave category

New Wave, Short Films and Animation category winners

• Best Picture – ARI: My Life with a King
• Best Director – John Paul Su, Toto
• Best Actor – JM de Guzman, Tandem & Francisco Guinto, ARI: My Life with a King
• Best Supporting Actor – Thou Reyes, Toto
• Best Supporting Actress – Bibeth Orteza, Toto
• Best Screenplay – Robert Tantingco, ARI: My Life with a King
• Special Jury Prize – Toto
• Manila Bulletin Entertainment Best Picture – ARI: My Life with a King
• Best Short Film – Mumu by Jean Cheryl Tagyamon
• Short Film Special Jury Prize – Daisy by Brian Reyes
• Manila Bulletin Entertainment Best Short Film – Momento by Jan-Kyle Nieva
• Best Animation Film – Buttons by Marvel Obemio, Francis Ramirez & Jared Garcia
• Animation Film Special Jury Prize – Lights Lights by Rivelle Mallari
• Manila Bulletin Entertainment Best Animation Film – Geo by John Aurthur Mercader

The Metro Manila Film Festival is partnered with HOOQ in streaming Short Film and Animation Category. They also have a collection of MMFF movies which can be watched on any mobile device.

So there you have it, winners announced, red carpet graced, and more controversies come and go. What can you say about the results?