‘Larawan’ wins MMFF Best Picture

MANILA, Philippines — The two box-office tail-enders in the ongoing 43rd Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) finished big winners at the Gabi ng Parangal held Wednesday night at the Kia Theater.

“Ang Larawan” and “Siargao” divided between them 13 of the 26 awards at stake, six for the former and seven for the latter.

Besides Best Picture and Best Actress (for Joanna Ampil), “Larawan” bagged a Special Jury (Posthumous) Award for Nick Joaquin, author of the classic play “Portrait of the Artist as Filipino” on which the musical version of “Ang Larawan” was based; the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award, Best Musical Score for Ryan Cayabyab and Best Production Design.

“Siargao” took home the awards for 2nd Best Picture, Best Director (Paul Soriano), Best Supporting Actress (Jasmine Curtis-Smith), Best Cinematography, Best Original Theme Song (“Alon” by Hale), Best Editing (Mark Victor) and Best Sound.

The two entries leading at the box office also won, People’s Choice Award for the Vice Ganda starrer “GandaRappido: The Revenger Squad, and four for Ang Panday: Special Jury Prize for Coco Martin, Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award, Children’s Choice Award and Best Visual Effects.

Derek Ramsay won Best Actor for All Of You which was declared 3rd Best Picture and Best Screenplay winner. It’s Derek second MMFF Best Actor win; the first was for English Only, Please at the 2014 MMFF.

Edgar Allan “EA” Guzman won Best Supporting Actor for his colorful gay performance in Deadma Walking (based on a Palanca-winning play by Eric Cabahug).

Rounding up the honor roll are Baeby Baste, Best Child Performer for Meant To Beh; Anong Nangyari Kay Nicanor Dante, Best Short Film; and Noel, People’s Choice Award (Short Film).

Named Stars of the Night during the awards ceremony were Ramsay and Erich Gonzales (star of Siargao).

Already a veteran theater actress who had her debut as Kim in Miss Saigon on London’s West End (where she performed in other plays such as Les Miserables, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats, etc.), Joanna is actually a first-timer in film, with Larawan as her debut playing the iconic Candida role (with Rachel Alejandro as Paula). Larawan has been staged a few times by the late Lino Brocka with the likes of Lolita Rodriguez, Rita Gomez and Charito Solis playing the spinster sisters.

A critic of Variety, said to be the bible of Hollywood, praised Ampil and Alejandro for their splendid performances, saying, “…no one speaks and sings more eloquently than Paula and Candida. Ampil and Alejandro’s voices and performances soar as the sisters resist the temptation of a quick fix in the belief that their father’s work represents something more valuable than money.”

In an interview with The STAR days before the awards night, Ampil said that she wasn’t expecting any award.

“My mindset was not about awards although people kept mentioning it. I just wanted to survive the experience. I wanted to finish the movie and still be sane afterwards. That was my goal. It kinda messed with my brain most of the time.”

The awards are expected to boost the box office chances of Larawan and Siargao.