MMFF 2017: ‘Ang Larawan’ gets top prize, ‘Siargao’ wins big
The lone musical entry to this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) won Best Picture at the Gabi ng Parangal on Wednesday night at the Kia Theater in Quezon City. Set in 1941 in Intramuros, Manila, “Ang Larawan” is about sisters Candida and Paula — daughters
of high-profile painter Don Lorenzo Marasigan — who defiantly hold on to their father’s precious paintings despite having financial troubles. Handsome boarder Tony Javier convinces them to sell the artworks to an American.
Directed by Loy Arcenas, the film won four more honors namely Best Production Design, Best Musical Score, Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award, and Special Jury Prize tied with “Ang Panday.”
Derek Ramsay and Joanna Ampil bagged the top acting prizes.
Ramsay won for playing Gab in Dan Villegas’ “All of You.” The film also took home the third Best Picture and Best Screenplay trophies.
“All of You” is about two strangers who eventually find themselves living under one roof after a short getting-toknow-each-other-stage through the use of a dating app.
This is the second time Ramsay took home the MMFF Best Actor plum.
In an interview with Bulletin Entertainment, the actor dedicated his trophy to his son.
“This award is extra special to me. I was trying my best not to sound so emotional but I can’t,” he said. “It was more emotional for me this time around. My son told me after he watched the film, ‘Hey, good acting. You’re going to win an award’ and so here I am.”
Ampil, on the other hand, plays Candida in “Ang Larawan.” She is a first-timer in the festival and also a newbie in the movies.
In a separate interview, the renowned theater actress said she is ecstatic over her win.
“This means a lot to me. I almost didn’t make it here (awards night) but I prayed a lot,” she said. “Everything was so scary but now, our hard work paid off and it is such a bonus for me, for us to be helmed as Best Actress.”
Edgar Allan Guzman and Jasmine Curtis-Smith clinched the Best Supporting Actor and Actress plums, respectively.
Guzman is part of “Deadma Walking,” which also clinched the Best Float award, while Curtis-Smith is with “Siargao.”
It was a big night for Paul Soriano’s “Siargao” as it bagged the Best Director, Best Sound Design, Best Original Theme song, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, and 2nd Best Picture trophies.
The film is about Laura (Erich Gonzales), who embarks on a solo trip to Siargao hoping to move on and find a new adventure. Here she meets rock singer Diego (Jericho Rosales) who is caught between uncertainties of the future and baggage of the past.
The Best Child Performer award went to Baeby Baste of “Meant To Beh,” while “Ang Panday” earned the Children’s Choice and Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence plums, as well as the Best in Visual Effects trophy.
“Gandarrapido: The Revengers Squad” was helmed as the People’s Choice.
A Special Award of Recognition was awarded to National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera for being the festival’s selection committee chairman.
The 43rd MMFF saw performances by Ella Cruz, Julian Trono, Awra, and Jack Reid, among others. The ceremony was hosted by Paolo Bediones, Cindy Miranda and Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa.