The Metro Manila Festival concludes it 33rd year with the annual awarding ceremony held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City last January 5, 2008. Senator Jinggoy Estrada bagged the Best Actor Award for Katas ng Saudi while Maricel Soriano was named Best Actress for Bahay Kubo. Bong Revilla's Resiklo, on the other hand, nosed out Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo and Enteng Kabisote 4 for the Best Picture honors.
Uploaded: January 07, 2008
The three big winners, (L-R) Senator Bong Revilla [Best Festival Picture for Resiklo], Mother Lily Monteverde [who accepted the Best Actress Award in behalf of Diamond Star Maricel Soriano for Bahay Kubo] and Best Actor Jinggoy Estrada [for Katas ngSaudi] bask in the spotlight after the awarding ceremony.
Wearing a black suit accentuated with silver linings, Jolo Revilla of the film Resiklo came with his date and current apple of the eye, Lovi Poe.
The son of actor-turned-senator Bong Revilla and actress-TV host Lani Mercado has been courting Lovi for two months already. "Mahirap kasing magsalita ng patapos, basta I know him differently. Maganda ang pakikitungo niya sa amin. Totoong tao siya at walang pretensions," said Lovi to PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) contributor, Mell Navarro, in defense of her suitor's playboy image.
Banal's Alfred Vargas does away with the usual black suit in exchange for a lighter shade of gray. For the special occasion, the handsome actor wore a Paul Cabral creation.
Rudy Fernandez has no entry in the 33rd Metro Manila Film Festival, but he graced the occasion nonetheless to show support for his loving wife, Lorna Tolentino, and good friend Jinggoy Estrada of the movie, Katas ng Saudi.
"He's here to give moral support especially to Jinggoy," Lorna said of her husband. Rudy's effort paid great dividends as Jinggoy was named as this year's Best Actor. Despite not earning much in terms of ticket revenue, Katas ngSaudi was able to get the nod of the MMFF committee for Best Screenplay.
"This is our tribute to our OFW countrymen," said Katas ng Saudi scriptwriter and director, Joey Reyes.
Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo's Gina Pareño was all smiles as she sashayed on the red carpet of the SMX Convention Center for the annual Metro Manila Film Festival Awards Night.
As for the awards, the highly respected veteran actress said she's not expecting anything. "Kung talagang para sa ‘yo, para sa ‘yo talaga ‘di ba?" she reasoned. "Lahat naman, e. Ang daming mga nominees, puro magagaling ang mga naglaban-laban."
Gina's vibrant gown was created by her designer friend based in Las Piñas. "Para naman mag-mukha akong bata," she laughs about her outfit's flamboyant hue.
Pinoy boxing icon and part-time actor Manny Pacquaio (left) of the movie Anak ng Kumander exchanged pleasantries with Metro Manila Development Authority chairman and MMFF head, Bayani Fernando several minutes before the start of the program.
"Basta masaya na ako ng nakagawa kami ng pelikula at nakasali kami sa Metro Manila Film Festival," said Manny, disregarding the low ticket sales of his movie as compared to the other entries.
To his credit and despite failing to bag any major awards, the superstar boxer patiently stayed and finished the entire ceremony.
TV host and talent manager Boy Abunda hosted the special event. To give way to Lani Misalucha's special concert, this year's awarding ceremony lasted for only 45 minutes, much to the delight of everyone and the protest of some who are used to witnessing the event in a much slower pace.
Neophyte director Cesar Apolinario and May Cruz of the suspense-action flick, Banal, share the stage to receive the Best Original Story trophy.
Cesar, who also bagged the Best Director plum later in the evening, thanked Banal's lead stars— Christopher de Leon, Alfred Vargas, Paolo Contis and Paolo Paraiso—whom he regards as the best actors of today.
Director and scriptwriter Jose Javier Reyes won the Best Screenplay award for Katas ng Saudi while his other entry, Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo, bagged the 2nd Best Festival Picture award.
Incidentally, Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo, was this year's top-grosser, finally beating Vic Sotto's Enteng Kabisote 4 in the ticket revenue race. This was the same reason why most people expected SSS to notch first place in the Best Festival Picture category. The MMFF usually, and as stated in their guidelines, awards the coveted plum to the top earner.
Asked for his opinion, the brilliant director only uttered the line: "Welcome to the Philippines."
Actor-turned-politician, Ramon "Bong" Revilla (left), pictured here with good friend, Phillip Salvador, had a lot of reasons to smile that night. His sci-fi entry, Resiklo, emerged as this year's Best Festival Picture, beating perennial favorites, Enteng Kabisote and Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo.
Resiklo's victory was Imus Production's first Best Festival Picture award, prompting Bong to assure everyone that they will continue to make "quality" films that would help the progress of the local film industry.
Bahay Kubo's Eugene Domingo nails the Best Supporting Actress award. Making fun of the event's fast paced format and the 1-minute speech time limit for the winners, the theater bred actress quipped: "Para tayong naka-taxi lahat."
Concealing her joy through humor, Eugene amusingly issued a warning to everyone: "This is my first award please allow me to thank the most important people in my life, in my career, which is just starting so abangan ninyo po ako."
Best Actor Jinggoy Estrada (left) of Katas ng Saudi and Bahay Kubo director, Manny Valera (right), escorts Regal Entertainment's Mother Lily Monteverde after she accepted the Gatpuno Villegas Cultural Award. Bahay Kubo shared the said honor with the Grade A movie Katas ng Saudi.
Despite missing their chance to receive three consecutive Best Festival Picture awards, Octoarts top honcho Orly Ilacad and sexy actress Francine Prieto happily accept the 2nd place Best Picture honor bestowed on Enteng Kabisote4.
Resiklo's Bong Revilla happily accepts the Best Festival Picture trophy. Bong is also glad for his good friend, Jinggoy Estrada, who won the Best Actor award for his role in the Grade A movie, Katas ng Saudi.
Hunky actor Alfred Vargas, who is fresh from a breakup with longtime girlfriend, LJ Reyes, came for the evening with a lovely non-showbiz date (in photo).
"Her name is Julia," revealed Alfred to PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) before making their way towards the function room. According to Alfred, Julia is a good friend from way back. Quickly dosing off suspicions, Alfred clarified that there's nothing romantic going on between him and Julia.
Lovi Poe, who looks gorgeous and elegant in her sparkling green gown, was with suitor Jolo Revilla throughout the entire event.
Describing Jolo as a suitor, Lovi said: "He's very maalaga. Tinatawagan niya ako maya-maya, tini-text, ganu'n. First time nga akong naka-encounter ng gano'n, e. He's very caring."
Although Lovi insisted that they're not yet an item, the sparkle in Lovi's eyes that evening somehow gave a hint that it would just be a matter of time before the two of them officially become a pair.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada was totally in awe the moment he heard his name being called as the 33rd Metro Manila Film Festival Best Actor for his role in Anak ng Saudi. He acknowledged the fact that his inactivity in doing movies made him doubtful about his chance to clinch the prestigious individual honor.
In his acceptance speech, Jinggoy thanked all his friends, particularly action star Rudy Fernandez, for all the support and encouragement. After the ceremony, the former San Juan mayor and now lawmaker proudly announced that he would display the trophy at his Senate office.
Filipino international performer, Lani Misalucha, staged her special one-night concert right after the MMFF awarding ceremony pulled down its curtain. Lani's concert was organized by the MMFF committee to generate additional funds for the beneficiaries of this year's film festival.
