MANILA — The 49th Metro Manila Film Festival Awards Night, held at the New Frontier Theater on December 27, 2023, unfolded with remarkable energy.

The evening’s standout was the theater-trained actor Cedrick Juan, crowned Best Actor for his role in “Gomburza.”

Juan was visibly moved by expressing gratitude to director Pepe Diokno, the entire film crew behind and in front of the camera, and his family.

The accolade came with a cash prize of P100,000, defying predictions that Piolo Pascual would take home the Best Actor trophy.

Vilma Santos, too, found herself pleasantly surprised as she was named Best Actress for “When I Met You in Tokyo,” produced by JG Productions Inc. In her extensive acceptance speech, the Star for All Seasons remarked, “I did not anticipate this award, but our only wish was for all participating films to succeed.”

Miles Ocampo clinched the Best Supporting Actress title for “A Family of Two,” a film that had not been featured in the preliminary list of nominees. JC Santos secured the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in “Mallari.”

Pepe Diokno, director of “Gomburza,” a narrative centered around the martyrdom of three priests – Padre Jose Burgos, Jacinto Zamora, and Pedro Gomez – earned the title of Best Director. The crucial presentation of the storyline earned Angeli Atienza the Best Screenplay award for “Firefly.”

Special Awards were also conferred: “Becky and Badette” received the Gender Sensitivity Award; Lily Tiu Monteverde was honored with the Marichu Vera Perez Maceda Memorial Award; “Gomburza” was recognized with the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Award; and “When I Met You in Tokyo” received the FPJ Memorial for Excellence Award.

Carlo Canlas Mendoza’s cinematography in “Gomburza” was acknowledged as the Best Cinematography, while Benjamin Tolentino won Best Editing for “Kampon.” Ericson Navarro’s exceptional work in production design for “Gomburza” secured the Best Production Design award. The Best Float accolade was “When I Met You in Tokyo.”

The ranking of films included “When I Met You in Tokyo” as the Fourth Best Picture, “Mallari” as the Third Best Picture, “Gomburza” as the Second Best Picture, and the coveted First Best Picture award went to “Firefly,” accompanied by a cash prize of P200,000.

The hosting duo of Giselle Sanchez and Aicelle Serrano delivered a seamless and entertaining presentation. Congratulations to all the winners, and let us continue to support Filipino cinema. Long live the Filipino film industry!

(Jr Amigo/IA/MNM)