Stars of ‘English Only, Please’ win big at MMFF 2014

CEBU, Philippines – “Bonifacio ang Unang Pangulo” is the best picture for this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival awards night held December 27 at the PICC in Pasay City, Manila.

Eight films competed for the mainstream category, while there were five full-feature, five Student Short Films, and Five Animations for the New Wave category.

The entries for the New Wave category were presented December 17, while the eight mainstream films were presented through the MMFF Parade of Stars on December 23.

Derek Ramsay and Jennylyn Mercado were awarded best actor and best actress for their performance in “English Only, Please,” which happens to be their first romantic-comedy film.

“Lord, magandang Christmas gift po ito. Thank you po,” Jennylyn said when she accepted her award.

In an interview after the awarding ceremony, the GMA-7 actress said: “Wala akong in-expect na kahit ano. Ang wish ko lang, lumabas yung mga tao pagkatapos panoorin yung pelikula namin ng nakangiti.”

Jennylyn said it’s her best acting award for a comedic role. “Ngayon lang ako nagkaroon ng opportunity na makagawa ng isang comedy project. So proud ako kasi ito yung unang-una kong comedy,” she said.

She hopes to do more rom-coms in 2015. “Nag-enjoy ako talaga,” she said. Her leading man, Derek, was not able to attend the awards night but had Jennylyn read his acceptance speech for him.

Robin Padilla, during his acceptance speech for the Gatpuno Villegas Cultural Award for “Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo” asked movie goers and fans of nephew Daniel Padilla to watch his movie.

“Nasa P100 million ang budget ng pelikulang ito. Nasa P10 million pa lang po ang kinikita namin,” Robin said. “Itong pelikulang ito ay para sa inyo, mga mahal namin kababayan. Sana po, pagkatapos po ng awards night na ito, hayaan n’yo kaming makabawi ng konti.”

He added, “Lalong lalo na po sa mga tagahanga ni Daniel Padilla sapagkat ang susunod naming proyekto ay Gregorio del Pilar. Baka wala kaming pang-produce nun!”

Many noted the movies that bagged the bulk of the awards are not among the top three in terms of box office. “The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin” and “Feng Shui 2,” the festival’s top grossers this year, did not bag a single award.

“Box office lang naman ang hiningi natin,” awards night host Kris Aquino quipped to Coco Martin, who was in the audience, during the ceremony.

“Muslim Magnum .357” and “Shake, Rattle and Roll XV” also went home empty-handed. – PhilStar News Service

Here is the complete list of winners at the 40th MMFF:

Best Actress: Jennylyn Mercado for “English Only, Please”

Best Actor: Derek Ramsay for “English Only, Please”

Best Picture: “Bonifacio ang Unang Pangulo”

2nd Best Picture: “English Only Please”

3rd Best Picture: “Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2”

Best Supporting Actress: Lotlot de Leon for “Kubot: Aswang Chronicles 2”

Best Supporting Actor: Joey Marquez for “Kubot: Aswang Chronicles 2”

Best Child Performer: Ryzza Mae Dizon for “My Big Bossing’s Adventures”

Best Director: Dan Villegas for “English Only Please”

Best Screenplay: “English Only Please”

Best Original Story: “English Only Please”

Best Cinematography: Carlo Mendoza for “Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo”

Best Editing: Marya Ignacio for “English Only, Please”

Best Production Design: Ericson Navarro for “Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2”

Best Visual Effects: “Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2”

Best Makeup: “Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2”

Best Original Theme Song: Von de Guzman for “Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo”

Best Musical Score: Von de Guzman “Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo”

Best Festival Sound Engineer: “Bonifacio Ang Unang Pangulo”

Best Float: “Bonifacio Ang Unang Pangulo”

New Wave:

New Wave Best Picture: “Magkakabaung”

New Wave Special Jury Prize: “M: Mother’s Maiden Name”

New Wave Best Actor: Allen Dizon “Magkakabaung”

New Wave Best Actress: Zsa Zsa Padilla for “M: Mother’s Maiden Name”

New Wave Best Director: Jason Paul Laxamana “Magkakabaung”

New Wave Best Supporting Actor: Kristoffer King for “Maratabat”

New Wave Best Supporting Actress: Gloria Sevilla “M: Mother’s Maiden Name”

New Wave Short Film Special Jury Prize: “Kalaw” by Asia Pacific Institute

Special Awards:

Commemorative Award: Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito-Estrada

Gatpuno Antonio Villegas Cultural Award: “Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo”

FPJ Memorial Award for Film Excellence: “Bonifacio Ang Unang Pangulo”

Youth Choice Award: “Bonifacio Ang Unang Pangulo”

Female Face of the Night: Nadine Lustre