Entertainment

Jennylyn Mercado, Derek Ramsay win big at 2014 MMFF

Chuck Smith - The Philippine Star

December 28, 2014 | 12:25am

MANILA, Philippines - “Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo” won the Best Picture award at the 40th Metro Manila Film Festival Awards Night on Saturday.

But it was Jennylyn Mercado, Derek Ramsay and their romantic-comedy movie “English Only, Please” that emerged as the big winners of the annual film festival.

WINNERS: 2014 Metro Manila Film Festival awards night

Aside from the two acting awards, “English Only, Please” also won the awards for Best Director (Dan Villegas), Best Screenplay (Antoinette Jadaone), Best Original Story (Dan Villegas and Antoinette Jadaone) and Best Editing.

It was named as the festival’s second best picture.

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

In an interview after the awarding cerenomy, the GMA-7 actress said: “Ako, wala akong in-expect na kahit ano. Ang sa akin lang, 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 romantic comedy films in 2015 after “English Only, Please.” “Nag-enjoy ako talaga,” she said.

Derek was not able to attend the awards night but had Jennylyn read his acceptable speech for him.

Robin, during his acceptance speech for the Gatpuno Villegas Cultura 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 angg 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 taga-hanga ni Daniel Padilla sapagkat ang susunod naming proyekto ay Gregorio del Pilar. Baka wala kaming pang-produce nun!”

“Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2“ won third best picture, as well as a number of technical awards.

Its stars Joey Marquez and Lotlot de Leon also won the Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress awards respectively.

Lotlot offers her award to her four children and to her parents, Christopher de Leon and Nora Aunor. “Para po sa inyo ito. Sana po proud kayo sa akin,” she said.

Turning emotional, she said: “Pasensya na po ha, first ko hong maka-receive ng award.

Many noted the movies that bagged the bulk of the awards are not among the top three in terms of box office in this year’s MMFF.

In fact, Star entertainment editor Ricky Lo reporter that, according to his sources, “Bonifacio” is in seventh place our of eight in terms of box office during the first day of the festival.

Meanwhile, “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.