SAN JUAN, La Union — Host-comedian Vice Ganda was overwhelmed with gratitude after finally winning Best Actor at the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Gabi ng Parangal.
Vice won the MMFF Best Actor prize on his fourth nomination on Saturday night's awards ceremony. The comedian-host has been nominated since his festival debut "Sisterakas" in 2012.
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Other nominations came from "Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy" the following year and last year's "And The Breadwinner Is..." for which Vice received a Special Jury Citation. The elusive Best Actor win finally came after portraying a queer mother intent on adopting a son in his latest entry, "Call Me Mother."
"Ako nga! At last," Vice began his acceptance speech, shaking the envelope bearing their name, before proceeding to thank the "Call Me Mother" team led by director Jun Robles Lana, co-star Nadine Lustre, and young actor Lucas Andalio.
The host-comedian was at a loss for words as he never expected to win in film festivals.
"Mas ine-expect kong di mananalo, nakikita, nagugustuhan pero hindi pinipili o pinipili pero di maaari... but tonight maaari na," Vice said, which earned another round of applause.
Vice shared a joke Direk Jun had shared earlier said about being worried that men primarily made of the jurors this year, one of them being a priest, but they all still chose to recognize them.
"It is really 2025, it is really possible, and it is real," Vice continued. "Queer people can be best actors. A queer person in [a] gown can be Best Actor. It's about damn time."
The "It's Showtime" host proceeded to thank their producers and the festival organizers, and the Direk Jun once more for the chance to portray a queer person wanting to be parent.
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"Ginampanan ko 'yung isang tao na may sapat na kakayahan, laki ng puso, at kalusugan mag-mahal pero takot na takot dahil baka 'di payagan," he explained, reiterating that queer people can still be mothers, parents, and homes.
Vice shared his win with fellow parents and people who chose to become parents, including his own mother Rosario and several siblings, industry parents like Cory Vidanes, and the late filmmaker Wenn Deramas.
He also dedicated the award to his "It's Showtime" co-hosts: Ryan Bang, who he considers his "first child," and his husband Ion Perez.
The host-comedian expressed apologies to Ion for the many years of planning to have children of their own via surrogacy, only for it to be postponed due to his many commitments and obligations.
"Taon-taon hindi natutuloy ang plano namin kaya parang taon-taon namamatayan din kami ng anak," Vice said choking back tears, wishing they would live longer and finally grow their family.
"Gusto ko na talaga maging nanay kasi gusto ko nang mag-mahal ng bata na sarili ko, na akin, na puwedeng-puwede dahil nanay na ako," the Best Actor winner ended.
Vice was up against Will Ashley of "Love You So Bad," Carlo Aquino of "Bar Boys: After School," Earl Amaba of "I'mPerfect," Piolo Pascual of "Manila's Finest," and Zanjoe Marudo of "Unmarry."
"Call Me Mother" also won Third Best Picture (shared with "Manila's Finest"), Best Child Performer for Lucas, and the Gender Sensitivity Award.
"Manila's Finest" led all winners this year with eight awards followed by Second Pest Picture winner "Unmarry" with seven, but the First Best Picture Prize went to "I'mPerfect."
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