MMFF's big winners

Megastar Sharon Cuneta and Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. were named Best Actress and Best Actor, respectively, at the 35th Metro Manila Film Festival awards rites held Monday night at the SMX Convention Center in Mall of Asia, Pasay City.

Both are first time winners of acting honors at the annual film festival.

Sharon won for her role as the loving mother who wanted to be reunited with her children in “Mano Po 6” produced by Lily Monteverde of Regal Entertainment. The film is Sharon’s first film role under Regal, the acknowledged rival of her former home studio Viva Films.

“I am very happy with this win and I’d like to thank Mother Lily for my very first Regal Film and to direk Joel Lamangan for guiding me in my performance. I’d also like to thank my co-stars Zsa Zsa Padilla for being such a wonderful kontrabida,” said Sharon who came with husband Sen. Kiko Pangilinan.

Sharon also dedicated her award to her Yaya Loring, who passed away a few weeks ago and was buried last Dec. 23. “Yaya, this is for you. I know you are here and I am sure na natutuwa ka para sa akin,” said the megastar.

She also dedicated her award to her mother Elaine Cuneta, as well as to her fans (Sharonians) who have always stood by her whether she’s “fat or thin,” as well as to her three daughters KC, Frankie and Miel.

Bong, on the other hand, won for his performance as Flavio in the action-fantasy “Ang Panday” of Carlo J. Caparas, which was produced by GMA Films and Imus Productions. Directed by Mac Alejandre and Rico Gutierrez, the movie is Bong’s tribute to the departed king of Philippine movies, Fernando Poe, Jr. who first brought the Panday story to the big screen.

“There’s nothing more that I could wish for. I would like to share this award to the real Panday, ang hari ng pelikulang Pilipino, Mr. Fernando Poe, Jr., and to my best friend Phillip Salvador. He’s the reason why I won the award.”

The big-budget flick, which has lorded over at the box-office since the festival opened on Christmas Day, also won six other awards, including Best Picture.

“Ang Panday” also won for Phillip Salvador his second best supporting actor trophy from the MMFF. He was last year’s winner for “Baler.”

Ipe thanked his best friend Bong for entrusting to him the role of Lizardo, the nemesis of Flavio. “Maraming salamat sa tiwalang ibinigay sa akin ng GMA films at Imus Productions. This is my second award as I also won last year. Huwag po kayong magsasawa. Kung may entry po ako uli next year, pagbubutihin ko po uli,” he said in his speech.

The other awards won by “Ang Panday” were for Best Visual Effects (Jay Santiago), Production Design (Richard Somes), Theme Song (“Tanging Ikaw Lamang” composed by Ogie Alcasid), and Best Child Performer (Robert Villar).

Heart Evangelista won the Best Supporting Actress trophy for “Mano Po 6” where she played Stephanie, the rebellious daughter of Sharon. She bested co-star Zsa Zsa Padilla, who played her aunt and kontrabida to Sharon.

“I prayed hard for this because I really hope that I’d win. I am so happy. I also would like to thank Sharon Cuneta. You truly are a megastar,” said Heart.

“Mano Po 6” also won for Joel Lamangan his nth Best Director trophy from the MMFF, having won for such projects such as “Muling Umawit ang Puso.” Direk Joel shared his award with his fellow director nominees and also to his good friend Direk Jose Javier Reyes., and to producer Lily Monteverde for believing in the project. He also made mention of the good work given by his hardworking staff and stars.

The movie also won awards for Best Screenplay (Roy Iglesias) and Best Musical Score (Von de Guzman). It was also named the Best Gender Sensitive Film given by the Quezon City Cultural Committee and the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award.

The highly-charged love story from Star Cinema titled “I Love You Goodbye,” directed by Laurice Guillen, picked up four trophies - Best Editing (Efren Jarlego and Manet Dayrit), Best Cinematography (Lee Meily), Best Original Story (Vanessa Valdez, Kris Guzman and Karen Ramos). It also won as 2nd Best Picture.

The Vic Sotto-Cristine Reyes comedy-fantasy flick “Ang Darling Kong Aswang” won two awards—Best Sound Recording (Mike Idioma and Addis Tabong) and the 3rd Best Picture plum.

The three-episode “Shake, Rattle and Roll X1” won the award for Best Make-Up.

Comedy King Dolphy was given the Lifetime Achievement Award while industry leader Atty. Espiridion Laxa was given a posthumous award for his contributions to the MMFF as a member of its Executive Committee for many years prior to his death this year.