Freeman Cebu Entertainment

MMFF awards night’s sidelights, letdowns and surprises

January 9, 2008 | 12:00am

The 33rd Metro Manila Film Festival awards night held Saturday at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City was probably the shortest awards night in MMFF history. It only lasted 45 minutes to give way to Lani Misalucha’s P10,000 per seat concert which the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) headed by Bayani Fernando put up to raise funds for the festival’s beneficiaries. The MMDA Chairman must have felt that the concert was more important than to give recognition to the outstanding cinematic values of the entries.

Imagine the chagrin of the actors and actresses who were asked to limit their speeches to just one minute and the winners were likewise asked to leave the stage because Lani was about to render her opening number. If that’s not being impolite, we don’t know how to call it.

Imus Productions' Resiklo bagged the Best Picture trophy, while Star Cinema's Sakal Sakali Saklolo and M-ZET/Octo Arts Films' Enteng Kabisote 4 were adjudged 2nd and 3rd Best Pictures, respectively.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada won as Best Actor for his comeback vehicle, Katas ng Saudi where he played as a returning OFW. Maricel Soriano was adjudged Best Actress for “Bahay Kubo” where she played mother to several adopted children, but the Diamond Star was not able to accept her trophy because she is in the United States with her two sons.

In a surprise victory, first-time director and GMA News reporter Cesar Apolinario beat Joey Reyes and Joel Lamangan for the Best Director award for his debut film Banal.

Bahay Kubo's Eugene Domingo and Resiklo’s Roi Vinzon were awarded Best Supporting Actress and Best Supporting Actor, respectively.

The awards night seemed just like an aperitif or a front act for Lani’s concert. Hosted by Boy Abunda, the awards night was one you would term as very “different” and very informal, if only to be polite about it. The nominees were not announced and the winners just picked up their trophies from a table that rises from the center of the stage.

The people tasked to put up the awards night seemed content to do it the fastest way possible, robbing the rites of its usual excitement.

Eugene Domingo couldn’t have said it more succinctly in her speech which went something like this: “Ang bilis. Para lang nakataksi lang tayong lahat. Sabi ko nga sa taxi driver, hintayin na lang ako sa labas.” Kidding aside, she said that her triumph is a victory for theater people. Eugene started her acting roots in theater.

The awards night provided some unexpected twists and surprises though as the festival criteria in choosing the best picture was once again altered.

After bagging the Best Festival Picture award last year, Vic Sotto's Enteng Kabisote was dislodged, not by Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo, but by Bong Revilla's sci-fi-action film, Resiklo.

Resiklo's victory caught many by surprise, given the rule of the MMFF committee in which the top grosser film automatically gets the Best Picture plum. This year, Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo's Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo (SSS) raked in the most profit in terms of ticket sales. The fact that it failed to net the Best Picture Award raised some eyebrows.

"I think Star Cinema is happy because their entry already earned P97-million," emphasized SSS director Jose Javier Reyes. He seemed to be downplaying the observation of some members of the press that the film had been denied the honor despite its strong showing. The movie failed to pick up trophies in other categories.

As a consolation of sorts, Direk Joey however won the Best Screenplay trophy for his other festival entry, Katas ng Saudi.

Despite the failure of their entry “Katas ng Saudi” to make a killing at the tills, Jinggoy was able to vindicate himself by bagging the Best Actor Award for his portrayal in the OFW-inspired film.

"Hindi ko akalain na makakakuha pa ko ng ganitong klaseng award," said the actor in his acceptance speech. Overwhelmed by his victory, Jinggoy thanked everyone who supported him in all of his endeavors, particularly his friends in the film industry, led by action star Rudy Fernandez, Phillip Salvador and Bong Revilla.

He also dedicated the award to his parents, deposed president Joseph Estrada and Senator Loi Ejercito, for their unconditional support both in his political and acting career.

Regal Entertainment matriarch Lily Monteverde, together with director Manny Valera, accepted the Best Actress Award on behalf of Bahay Kubo's lead star, Maricel, who’s still in the United States. She was also absent during the annual MMFF Parade of Stars last December 24.

"To my dearest Maria, my precious Regal baby, you deserve this award," Mother Lily endearingly said about her prized talent.

First-time director Cesar Apolinario bagged the Best Director award for his remarkable work in the action-suspense film, Banal. Cesar, who is better known as a reporter for GMA-7, was obviously dumbfounded by the recognition bestowed on him in the face of tough competition against more seasoned directors.

Apolinario's triumph, despite Banal's shoestring budget and lack of backing from a more established film production outfit, was definitely inspiring. “Banal” also won the award for Best Original Story, written by Mac Cruz and Apolinario himself. The film was produced by former actress Ina Alegre.

"Mahirap isipin na nanalo kasi 12 shooting days lang ginawa ‘yong pelikula, given the limited budget compared to other entries. Pero ang daming nagsasabi na mga critics and ‘yong mga nakapanood na maganda yung pelikula. Hindi ako makapaniwala na makakagawa rin ako ng ganitong pelikula," the neophyte director told the press in an interview after the awards presentation.

Unlike in the Best Picture Award, Cesar's victory was met with applause by veteran director Joey Reyes, who said it was one of the bright sides of this year's MMFF event.

"I'm so glad that if there's anybody who won it's Cesar Apolinario because he’s new and very promising as a director," expressed Joey Reyes. "I think if there is any achievement of the festival it's giving a chance to a new director—a director na may utak and may direksyon ang uri ng filmmaking na ginagawa. I didn’t feel bad I didn’t win. I feel great a new director was given recognition.”

Box

Here’s the complete list of winners of the 2007 MMFF:

Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award - (tie) Bahay Kubo and Katas ng Saudi

Most Gender Sensitive Film Award - Desperadas

Best Child Performer - Nash Aguas (Shake, Rattle & Roll 9)

Best Screenplay - Joey Reyes (Katas ng Saudi)

Best Editing - Resiklo

Best Cinematography - Jay Linao (Resiklo)

Best Music – Von de Guzman (Bahay Kubo)

Best Sound – Ditoy Aguila (Resiklo)

Best Original Story - May Cruz and Cesar Apolinario (Banal)

Best Screenplay - Jose Javier Reyes (Katas ng Saudi)