ANG Larawan, a Filipino musical based on Nick Joaquin’s play A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino, won the Best Picture Award at the 43rd Metro Manila Film Festival’s (MMFF) Gabi ng Parangal held at Kia Theatre on December 27.
The Best Actress plum was won by Joanna Ampil for Ang Larawan, while Derek Ramsay won his second MMFF Best Actor trophy for All of You. Ampil bested Jennylyn Mercado (All of You), Dawn Zulueta (Meant to Beh) and Erich Gonzales (Siargao). Meanwhile, Ramsay’s first win as Best Actor at the MMFF was in 2014 for English Only, Please. This year he beat Coco Martin (Ang Panday), Joross Gamboa (Deadma Walking) and Jericho Rosales (Siargao).
Jasmine Curtis Smith won the Best Supporting Actress prize for Siargao, while Edgar Allan Guzman won the Best Supporting Actor award for his role as a supportive gay best friend in Deadma Walking.
Jasmine’s voice cracked as she delivered her acceptance speech. She thanked Paul Soriano (with whom she first worked in Transit) for believing in her. She added that while she may not be a part of a TV network to give her regular exposure, work that comes along, like Siargao, is very much appreciated.
Edgar Allan, who many believed should’ve been nominated and won as Best Actor for his crackerjack performance in Deadma Walking, dedicated his award to his departed father. He also dedicated it to his mom, siblings and nephews who had been very supportive of his career.
He also shared his award with Joross. “I could not have acted well if not for you kasi ang husay-husay mo,” he told his costar, who was on the presenter’s side of the stage.
Ang Larawan also won the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award and a Special Jury Prize for Nick Joaquin. Produced by Culturtrain Musical Productions, Ang Larawan won the Best Actress prize for acclaimed theater performer Joanna Ampil (who played Kim in Miss Saigon).
She was very pleased to have been given the opportunity to play Candida, opposite Rachel Alejandro who played Paula.
Directed by Loy Arcenas, the movie also won awards for Best Musical Score (Ryan Cayabyab) and Best Production Design (Gino Gonzales).
Ang Larawan was a passion project of Celeste Legaspi, Rachel Alejandro and Girlie Rodis.
“Turning Ang Larawan into a movie was our response to the need for films with educational and cultural value. It’s also our effort to preserve the
great works of our Filipino artists, so that the youth can learn, be challenged and cherish our Filipino history and culture,” said Legaspi, who was very ecstatic with Ang Larawan’s awards victory.
Siargao, a love story set in the beautiful island of Siargao directed by Paul Soriano, won the Second Best Picture trophy.
It also won the Best Director prize for Paul Soriano, who marks his first time to join the MMFF. He beat Dan Villegas (All of You), Rodel Nacianceno (Ang Panday), Loy Arcenas (Ang Larawan) and Julius Alfonso (Deadma Walking).
It also won awards for Best Sound (Mark Locsin, Mikko Quizon, Jason Conanan, Kat Salinas), Best Theme Song (“Alon” by Hale), Best Editing (Mark Victor) and Best Cinematography (Odyssey Flores).
All of You, a love story of two people with opposite ideas about love and marriage, won the Best Screenplay plum for Dan Villegas. It also won the Third Best Picture award.
Ang Panday, the directorial debut of Rodel Nacianceno (a.k.a. Coco Martin), won awards for Best Visual Effects, Children’s Choice, plus a Special Jury Prize for Coco Martin for continuing the legacy of the late Fernando Poe Jr. who originally played the title role. Baeby Baste won the award for Best Child Performer for Meant to Beh, while Deadma Walking won the award for Best Float. Vice Ganda’s Gandarrapido: The Revenger’s Squad won the People’s Choice Award.
A special recognition was given to National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera for heading the Screening Committee of the festival.