Manila Kingpin reigned in 37th MMFF awards

The 37th Metro Manila Film Festival awards night belonged to Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story."

The controversial movie on the life of the legendary Robin Hood of the Philippine underworld and starring Laguna Governor Jeorge "E.R." Ejercito took home the lion’s share of the awards with 11, including the much coveted Best Picture trophy in rites held at the Newport Performing Arts Theatre.

The movie also won the Best Director trophy for Tikoy Aguiluz who asked that his named be removed from all promo materials of the film because of his row with ER and the producers Viva Films and Scenema Concepts. Tikoy resented the move of ER to reedit the film which, according to ER, made the pace of the film faster and more interesting.

But Gov. ER lost out to Dingdong Dantes who was named by the jurors as best actor for his role as a man with a dark past in "Segunda Mano." Other best actor contenders were Vic Sotto (Enteng ng Ina Mo), Ryan Agoncillo (My Househusband, Ikaw Na) and Jericho Rosales (Yesterday Today Tomorrow).

Maricel Soriano was voted best actress for "Yesterday Today Tomorrow," pulling the rug under Ai Ai delas Alas (Enteng ng Ina Mo), Judy Ann Santos (My Househusband, Ikaw Na), Eugene Domingo (Rain Rain Go Away episode of Shake Rattle & Roll 13) and Maricar Reyes (Tamawo episode of SSR 13).

Curiously missing from the list of contenders in the best actor race is Sen. Bong Revilla and Marian Rivera in the best actress race, the lead stars of Panday 2. The movie directed by Mac Alejandra was also sort of snubbed by the MMF jurors as it only won the awards for Best Float and Best Special Effects.

Winning the award for 2nd Best Picture is Enteng ng Ina Mo, the undisputed box-office frontrunner of the 2011 MMFF with earnings of more than P91 million after three days of the festival.

Getting the 3rd Best Picture award is Shake Rattle & Roll 13. It also won the best story award for Jerry Gracio, Marlon Rivera and Chris Martinez.

Eugene Domingo was named best supporting actress for her role as Aida Capinpin, the other woman in "My Househusband, Ikaw Na" while John Regala won as best supporting actor for his role as Totoy Golem in "Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story."

Aside from the best picture trophy, the Jeorge Estregan starrer also won the Gatpuno Antonio Villegas Cultural Award.

The movie also won best screenplay (Roy Iglesias and Rey Ventura), best film editing (Jason Cahapay and Ryan Orduna), best production design (Fitz Silorio, Mona Soriano, Ronaldo Cadapan), best sound recording (Mike Idioma), best musical score (Nonong Buencamino), best original theme song (La Paloma for Rey Ventura and Ely Buendia), best cinematography and (Carlo Mendoza).

Winning the award for best child performer is Bugoy Carino for Tamawo episode of Shake Rattle and Roll 13. "My Househusband, Ikaw Na" produced by OctoArts Films, was named Gender Sensitive Film.

However, "Yesterday Today Tomorrow" was disqualified by the Filmfest Committee due to the alleged failure of the producers Regal Entertainment and TV5 to inform the organizers that the story of the film was changed. The disqualification of the film to barred it from competing in the best picture, best director, best screenplay and best story categories, something that the producers learned on the day of the award itself.

We heard that Lily Monteverde appealed to the committee to reconsider the disqualification but was turned down.