Winners of the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) were revealed during the Gabi Ng Parangal that happened on December 28, 2024. The ceremony was hosted by Robi Domingo, Gabbi Garcia, Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Tim Yap.
MMFF 2024 officially opened last Wednesday (Dec. 25) with 10 main movie entries competing for the moviegoers’ attention.
Recent reports revealed that the Vice Ganda-led And The Breadwinner Is… is the top-grosser, so far. It was already expected because comedy movies have always made good money in the MMFF box office.
The Kingdom starring Piolo Pascual and Vic Sotto is reportedly the 2nd highest grosser, followed by Espantaho (Judy Ann Santos), Uninvited (Vilma Santos, Aga Muhlach, Nadine Lustre), and Green Bones (Dennis Trillo, Ruru Madrid).
The other 5 movies, however, seemed not to be making well in terms of ticket sales. They are Isang Himala, Topakk, Strange Frequencies, My Future You, and Hold Me Close.
MMFF 2024 Winners
The first award was the MMFF Lifetime Achievement Award. It was presented by Vice Ganda and Vilma Santos. The award went to Joseph Estrada who was dubbed as the “Ama ng MMFF” and was also the first-ever MMFF Best Actor in 1975 for his performance in the movie Diligin Mo Ng Hamog Ang Uhaw Na Lupa.
After the first award with a long speech by the winner’s son, the winner for the Best Float was announced, and it was a tie between Uninvited and Topakk.
The Gender Sensitivity Award went to And The Breadwinner Is… and the trophy was accepted by the movie’s star Vice Ganda and director Jun Robles Lana.
The Best Student Short Film Award went to University of Makati’s Saan Aabot ang Singkwenta Pesos Mo. Runners-up were City of Malabon University’s Ang Delivery Driver, and University of the Philippines-Mindanao’s PNB 12-50. Meanwhile, a Special Jury Prize was given to Mindanao State University-General Santos City’s Inang Wakwak.
Best in Visual Effects went to Riot 8 for The Kingdom.
It was such an emotional moment, meanwhile, for child actress Sienna Stevens, as she accepted her award as Best Child Performer for her performance in Green Bones.
Best Musical Score went to Vincent De Jesus (Isang Himala), who also won Best Original Theme Song (along with Ricky Lee) for the song Ang Himala Ay Nasa Puso, also for the same movie.
Ditoy Aguila won Best Sound for his work in Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital.
Best Editing went to My Future You.
Miss Chanda Romero presented the award for Best Cinematography which was won by Neil Daza for Green Bones.
MJ Lastimosa of Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital was one of the presenters of Best Production Design. Her presence on stage was a sight to behold, and how she speaks made me wish she was one of the hosts. Anyway, the award was won by Nestor Abrogena for The Kingdom.
Aicelle Santos of Isang Himala presented the Best Supporting Actress Award which was won by her co-actor in the movie (and co-theater actor) Kakki Teodoro.
The Best Supporting Actor award was presented by The Kingdom’s Sue Ramirez and Cristine Reyes, together with Manila Vice Mayor Yul Servo. The award was won by Ruru Madrid for Green Bones.
Breakthrough Performance award was won by Seth Fedelin for his work in My Future You.
Dennis Trillo and Lorna Tolentino presented the Special Jury Citation which went to Vice Ganda.
Trillo and Tolentino also presented the Best Screenplay Award which was won by Ricky Lee and Angeli Atienza for Green Bones.
The Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence was awarded to Topakk, while the Gat. J. Villegas Memorial Award was given to The Kingdom.
The biggest acting award of the night went to Dennis Trillo (Green Bones) as Best Actor, and Judy Ann Santos (Espantaho) as Best Actress.
Topakk and Isang Himala both received a Special Jury Prize.
Best Director was a tie between Crisanto Aquino (My Future You) and Michael Tuviera (The Kingdom).
Green Bones won Best Picture. Second place was The Kingdom, 3rd place was My Future You, and 4th place was Isang Himala.