‘Firefly,’ ‘Gomburza’ win big at 49th MMFF Gabi ng Parangal

2023-12-30 - By ROBERT R. REQUINTINA Images by ARNOLD QUIZOL

Coming-of-age road-trip drama “Firefly" was named Best Picture at the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival Gabi ng Parangal held at the New Frontier in Araneta City Wednesday night.

''Firefly', directed by Zig Dulay, also received Best Child Performer and Best Screenplay awards.

The historical film "Gomburza" was also a big winner, receiving seven awards, including 2nd Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Director.

Star For All Seasons Vilma Santosrecto, from the movie "When I Met You In Tokyo," and stage actor Cedrick Juan, who played the role of a martyred priest in "Gomburza," were named Best Actress and Best Actor, respectively.

Vilma shared her award with fellow nominees Sharon Cuneta, Marian Rivera, Pokwang, and Eugene Domingo.

"Ang adbokasiya po talaga namin sa pelikulang ito ay hindi para manalo ng awards, kundi tulungan ang ating industriya na pabalikin muli ang mga tao sa sinehan," said Vilma, also known as Ate Vi, in an emotional acceptance speech. "Sana magtuloytuloy na ito. Sana po ay kumita rin ang pelikula namin para matulungan natin ang mga first-time producers at makagawa muli sila ng maraming pelikula at makapagbigay ng trabaho sa ating industriya."

(Our advocacy in this film is not to win awards but to help our industry bring people back to the cinema. I hope this continues. I also hope our movie makes money to help first-time producers, and they can make more movies again and provide jobs in our industry.)

Cedrick was surprised when he was announced Best Actor, beating popular nominees Christopher de Leon, Alden Richards, Piolo Pascual, and Dingdong Dantes.

"Maraming salamat Direk Pepe Diokno sa tiwala sa akin. Sino ba naman ako? Nagpapasalamat din ako sa FEU at UP na siyang humubog sa akin sa teatro. Inaalay ko po ang parangal na ito sa mga taong hindi nakakakuha ng tamang hustisya," said Cedrick, who also shared his victory to fellow theater actor JC Santos, who won Best Supporting Actor for the movie "Mallari."

(Thank you very much, Director Pepe Diokno, for trusting me. Who am I? I am also grateful to FEU and UP, who shaped me in the theater. I dedicate this award to people who don't get proper justice.)

Miles Ocampo won Best Supporting Actress for the movie "A Family of Two." In accepting the award, Miles said: "Lord, ang daming nangyari sa akin ngayong taon, pero maraming salamat po sa award na ito."

Eugene Domingo, of the movie "Becky and Badette," couldn't believe the theme song, Finggah Lickin, was awarded Best Original Theme Song.

"Nagulat po ako dahil sa totoo lang, sanay po akong tumanggap ng award o ma-nominate bilang artista pero never po sa best song. Nakakaloka!" said Eugene.

(I was surprised because, to be honest, I'm used to receiving an award or being nominated as an artist, but never for the best song. It's shocking!)

This year's MMFF was one of the most successful editions in terms of star power. Organizers promised a bigger edition of the MMFF, which will celebrate its 50th year in 2024.

Ten movies competed in this year's film festival. This year's official entries: Family of Two (Cineko Productions and Myriad Entertainment), starring Sharon Cuneta and Alden Richards; Kampon (Quantum Films, Brightlight Productions, and Octoarts Films), Derek Ramsay and Beauty Gonzalez; Penduko (Viva Films and Sari Sari Network Films), Matteo Guidicelli and Kylie Verzosa; Rewind (ABSCBN Film Productions), Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes; Becky & Badette (The Ideafirst Company), Eugene Domingo and Pokwang; Broken Hearts Trip (BMC Films), Christian Bables; Firefly (GMA Public Affairs Program), Alessandra de Rossi and Euwenn Mikaell; Gomburza (Jesuit Communications), Enchong Dee, Dante Rivero and Cedrick Juan; Mallari (Mentorque Productions), Piolo Pascual and Janella Salvador; and When I Met You In Tokyo (JG Productions), Vilma Santos-recto and Christopher De Leon.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman and concurrent MMFF chairman Don Artes thanked moviegoers for patronizing locally-produced films. He reported a significant increase in ticket sales during the first day showing of the 10 movie entries compared to December last year.

“This proves that all 10 film entries are quality and impressive. Indeed, the MMFF 2023 is very much alive, and the enthusiasm of the moviegoers has returned,” said Artes. The 2023 MMFF will run until Jan. 7, 2024.

The full list of winners:

Best Picture - Firefly Second Best Picture - Gomburza Third Best Picture - Mallari Fourth Best Picture - When I Met You In Tokyo

Best Actress - Vilma Santos-recto, When I Met You In Tokyo Best Actor - Cedrick Juan, Gomburza Best Supporting Actress - Miles Ocampo, A Family of Two Best Supporting Actor - JC Santos, Mallari

Best Director - Pepe Diokno, Gomburza

Best Screenplay - Angeli Atienza, Firefly

Best Cinematography - Carlo Mendoza, Gomburza

Best Production Design - Ericson Navarro, Gomburza

Best Editing - Benjamin Tolentino, Kampon

Best Sound - Melvin Rivera and Louie Boy Bauson, Gomburza Best Musical Score - Von De Guzman, Mallari

Best Original Theme Song - Finggah Lickin, Eugene Domingo, Becky and Badette

Best Visual Effects - Gaspar Mangalin, Mallari

Best Child Performer - Euwenn Mikaell, Firefly

Best Float - When I Met You In Tokyo