Millions of moviegoers gathered in cinemas to watch movie entries for the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). The MMFF is an annual celebration of film and culture in the Philippines that showcases local filmmakers, actors, and film industry professionals.
To culminate its first re-opening since the pandemic, the MMFF had a “Gabi ng Parangal” (Awards Night) event where the best films and performances were awarded. SEA Wave presents a rundown of the winners of MMFF 2023.
Photo from Metro Manila Film Festival
Film Awards
Best Picture: Firefly
2nd Best Picture: Gomburza
3rd Best Picture: Mallari
4th Best Picture: When I Met You In Tokyo
Best Screenplay: Angeli Atienza for Firefly
Best Cinematography: Carlo Canlas Mendoza for Gomburza
Best Director: Pepe Diokno for Gomburza
Photo from Metro Manila Film Festival
Acting Awards
Best Actor: Cedrick Juan for Gomburza
Best Actress: Vilma Santos for When I Met You In Tokyo
Best Supporting Actor: JC Santos for Mallari
Best Supporting Actress: Miles Ocampo for Family Of Two
Best Child Performer: Euwann Mikaell for Firefly
Photo from Metro Manila Film Festival
Music and Score
Best Original Theme Song: Finggah Lickin from Becky and Badette
Best Musical Score: Von de Guzman for Mallari
Best Sound: Melvin Q. Rivera and Louie Boy Bauson for Gomburza
Other awards
Best Editing: Benjamin Tolentino for Kampon
Best Production Design: Ericson Navarro for Gomburza
Best Visual Effects: Gaspar Mangarin for Mallari
FPJ Memorial Award for Excellence: When I Met You In Tokyo
Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award: Gomburza
Marichu Vera Perez Maceda Memorial Award: Mother Lily Yu Monteverde
Best Float: When I Met You In Tokyo
Gender Sensitivity Award: Becky and Badette
Firefly bagged the award for Best Picture along with awards for Best Screenplay and Best Child Performer for Euwann Mikaell’s performance. Meanwhile, Mallari won a total of four awards including third place for Best Picture, Best Visual Effects, Best Musical Score, and Best Supporting Actor for JC Santos’ performance.
Among the film entries, Gomburza was the most awarded with 7 awards in total, including second place for Best Picture, the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award, Best Production Design, Best Sound, Best in Cinematography, Best Actor for Cedrick Juan’s performance and Best Director for Pepe Diokno.
Which film was your favorite among the entries? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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