The night's big winner was the MMFF entry Baler, which bagged 10 trophies given out by the MMFF Executive Committee. These include (from left) Best Festival Supporting Actor for Phillip Salvador, Best Director for Mark Meily, and Best Festival Actress for Anne Curtis.

During her acceptance speech, Anne Curtis happily noted that this award is the first acting recognition  she has received in her 12 years in show business. In the movie Baler, she plays the role of Feliza,  daughter of a Filipino rebel, who falls in love with a half-Spanish soldier (Jericho Rosales).

This acting trophy is also historical for Phillip Salvador since the movie Baler is his comeback film after seven years. He is recognized as Best Festival Supporting Actor for his role as Nanding, the father of Feliza (Anne Curtis) in the historical film set during the 18th century.

Baler director Mark Meily candidly said that he was not expecting to win any trophies that night. "Kaya lang po nang nanalo na yung mga kasamahan ko, nagsulat na rin po ako ng speech...just in case," he confessed. When the night ended, Baler earned the Best Festival Director Award, the Best Festival Cinematography Award (for Lee Meily), the Gatpuno Villegas Cultural Award and the Most Gender Sensitive Award.

The Best Festival Actor Award went to Christopher de Leon for playing the role of a cancer patient in the MMFF entry Magkaibigan. He attended the awards night wearing a corduroy coat that he had just found in his closet.

Robert "Bubuy" Villar earned the Best Festival Child Performer Award for his role in Shake, Rattle & Roll X. He was also part of another MMFF entry, Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After.

Anne Curtis and Jericho Rosales both said that they did not prepare any speech beforehand since they did not expect to receive any award. And so,  the Best Festival Actress was overwhelmed when host Boy Abunda called out her name.

Jericho wore a Barong Tagalog designed by Randy Ortiz while Anne carried a clutch bag designed by Tina Maristela-Ocampo.

Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat star Ai-Ai delas Alas walked down the red carpet wearing an outfit created by Maxi Cinco. Together with Jinggoy Estrada, she presented the Best Festival Picture Award, which went to Viva Films' Baler.

Ai-Ai delas Alas graced the event with her film's director Wenn Deramas and with twins Bianca and Janelle Calma, who are among Ina's brood of 12 kids in the movie.

(From left) One Night Only star Ricky Davao and Magkaibigan star Maricel Laxa joined director Jose Javier Reyes on the red carpet before entering the Harbor Tent. Direk Joey helmed two entries this year: Magkaibigan and One Night Only. The prolific director took home the Best Festival Original Story for the OctoArts movie One Night Only.

Dayo director Robert Quilao holds up one of the trophies that his film won that night. This animated entry from Cutting Edge Productions was cited for Best Visual Effects (Robert Quilao), Best Sound (Whannie Dellosa and Mike Idioma), Best Musical Score (Jessie Lasaten), which was recorded with the FILharmoniKA conducted by Gerard Salonga, and Best Theme Song ("Lipad" by Jessie Lasaten and Temi Abad, Jr., performed by Lea Salonga with the FILharmonika).

Baler stars Nikki Bacolod and Baron Geisler had their photo taken together. In the film, Nikki played Luming, the lover of Mark Bautista, while Baron was cast as Capt. Enrique Las Morenas. 

The Kimerald tandem of Gerald Anderson and Kim Chiu was seen in the Regal Entertainment entry Shake, Rattle & Roll X. They played high school students in the episode, "Class Picture."

Ruffa Gutierrez dazzled in her emerald green gown. She reveals that her show I Love Betty La Fea will be extended until July 2009 instead of April. Her movie Desperadas 2 won the award for Best Festival Makeup.

Rufa Mae Quinto posed with her co-stars in the movie Status: Single, a pre-Valentine offering that will open in cinemas by January 2009. The comedienne-TV host is joined by Jon Avila (left) and Mark Bautista.

Karylle performed the opening number of the MMFF Gabi ng Parangal.

Other ABS-CBN stars aside from Karylle (middle) who performed in the opening number were Yeng Constantino (left) and Sheryn Regis (right). The awards night was aired on RPN-9 last Sunday, December 28. 

Tim Yap and Phoemela Baranda interviewed the celebrities on the red carpet before they entered the Harbor Tent of Sofitel Hotel. 

Boy Abunda was tapped to host the 34th Metro Manila Film Festival's Gabi ng Parangal, which started at 8:30 pm and ended before 11 pm.

After the awarding ceremony, a special presentation of Katy! the Musical was shown onstage. Jericho Rosales and KC Concepcion portrayed the life of renowned jazz singer Katy de la Cruz and her love interest Peping.

Mitch Valdes, who originally portrayed the Filipina singer in the 1989 production of Katy!, also rendered a song number for the 2008 version.  

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Bayani Fernando proudly stated that the earnings of the first two days of the MMFF was 37 percent higher compared to the same period last year. He says that MMDA decided to abolish the Best Float Award this year. But the film producers still did their best to create outstanding floats that entertained the public during the traditional Parade of Stars last December 24.