The winners of the 34th Metro Manila Film Festival have
already been chosen and announced last Saturday, December 27. The historical
film Baler, starring Anne Curtis and Jericho Rosales, dominated the
awards night when it took home ten trophies.
As soon as he entered the Harbor Tent of Sofitel Hotel, Metropolitan Manila
Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando already told PEP (Philippine
Entertainment Portal) the good news about this year's edition of the annual
film fest. "In two days of the festival, the earnings are already 37 percent
more compared to the same period last year. Maganda sa unang dalawang araw pa
lang yan."
The awards night of the MMFF is traditionally held in January, towards the end
of the film fest, but in this year's edition, the awarding was held just two
days after the start of the 34th Metro Manila Film Festival. Why did they
decide to it this early?
The head of the MMFF committee explained that they deliberately scheduled the
Gabi ng Parangal as early as possible to help the filmmakers who will win the
artistic and technical awards handed out during the awards night.
"Ito ay para makatulong dun sa mga mananalo para mas maka-attract pa ng mga
manonood. Para magamit rin ng mga producers natin to promote their winning
piece."
With the good figures posted by the 8 official entries, he is optimistic that
they will be able to reach the P500 million target that they set for this
year's earnings. He recalls that the closest they got to reaching this target
was around two years ago when the entries earned around P415 million.
Bayani also revealed that the committee decided not to give out a prize for the
Best Float even though they pushed through with the traditional Parade of
Stars.
"I was surprised na ganun karaming mga artista ang sumama this year. The floats
looked good despite the fact na wala nang awards ang mga floats ngayon but they
even turned out to be better than before."
Why did they decide to hold the awards night at a posh venue such as the Harbor
Garden Tent of Sofitel Hotel? "Ang movies kasi glamour ‘yan e, so I think we
have to keep up with the tradition. Kaya nga stars, e, kasi they shine. They
are always glamorous and they should simply be the best. It is also for the
movie stars so they can show their best to the public.
The tickets for the MMFF awards night and Katy! The Musical Concert came
with a hefty price tag of P10,000 and more.
"Besides, we are also expecting this awards night to earn money. Kailangan
naming kumita ng pera para mabigyan ng mas malaking pera yung beneficiaries
tulad ng Mowelfund, Film Academy of the Philippines, among others. All of these
beneficiaries are for the development of the film industry," Bayani pointed out.
Here is the list of winners for the 34th Metro Manila Film Festival:
Best Picture: Baler (Viva Films)
2nd Best Picture: Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat (Star
Cinema)
3rd Best Picture: Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After (OctoArts
Films/M-ZET Productions/APT Entertainment)
Best Festival Actor: Christopher de Leon (Magkaibigan)
Best Festival Actress: Anne Curtis (Baler)
Best Supporting Actor: Phillip Salvador (Baler)
Best Supporting Actress: Manilyn Reynes (One Night Only)
Best Festival Director: Mark Meily (Baler)
Best Festival Screenplay: Roy Iglesias (Baler)
Best Festival Original Story: Jose Javier Reyes (One Night
Only)
Best Festival Child Performer: Robert Villar (Shake,
Rattle & Roll X)
Best Festival Musical Score: Dayo sa Mundo ng Elementalia
Best Festival Movie Theme Song: "Lipad" (Dayo sa
Mundo ng Elementalia)
Best Festival Cinematography: Baler
Best Festival Makeup: Desperadas 2
Best Festival Visual Effects: Dayo
Best Festival Production Design: Baler
Best Festival Sound Recording: Dayo
Best Festival Editor: Baler
Gender Sensitive Award (for promoting equality of men and
women through film): Baler
Gatpuno Antonio Villegas Cultural Award: Baler
Click HERE to view photos of the Gabi ng Parangal.