MMFF 2014: List of Winners and Blockbusters

Wazzup Pilipinas!

We've heard how Vice Ganda's The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin movie got the highest grossing film recognition followed by Kris Aquino's Feng Shui 2. Both movies actually starred an Aquino since Bimby Aquino-Yap, son of Kris Aquino and James Yap, was co-starring in The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin. While, Coco Martin, also a very popular actor, co-starred in Feng Shui 2.

It looks like the magic of Vic Sotto and Ryzza Mae tandem, even though Marian Rivera was co-starring, did not make it to the top of the blockbuster hits...but you'll never really know since the entire show dates are not over yet.

It is also a fact that Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera's real-life sweetheart, is starring in another MMFF 2014 movie entry namely Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2, a part two of the first dubbed as Tiktik, which features state of the art computer animation as part of their special effects. The movie has Isabelle Daza and Julie Anne San Jose as co-stars and also features comedians like Jun Sabayton.

The usual three-segment movie Shake Rattle & Roll series, now on its 15th, is still demanding attention during the MMFF 2014 tradition with a star-studded cast since it has three different short movies in one production.

Derek Ramsay and Jennylyn Mercado were announced as Best Actor and Best Actress respectively from their English Only, Please movie. Derek was quoted as saying “I thought I won’t make it. I just prepared a speech..." Hhhmmm.....

Also seemingly having an entry every MMFF 2014 is Jeorge Estregan's action movie entitled MM .357: To Serve and Protect (Muslim Magnum) movie co-starring the sexy and luscious Sam Pinto.

But we send our congratulations  to the Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo movie for winning the Best Picture award in the recent 40th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2014 awarding ceremonies. The movie is truly deserving since it is the only one among the 8 competing movies in the MMFF 2014 that dared to present a real meaningful movie filled with very informative and educational content.

However, it is so baffling that the Bonifacio movie only got the Best Picture award after the quality acting shown by its leading stars namely Robin Padilla and Vina Morales. For me, both artists were outstanding in their performances as compared to the other actors and actresses nominated in the same categories.

But who am I to judge the rightful winners? There were esteemed judges given the special privilege to rate the movies based on certain criteria and declare the final winners based on their decision. Who were the judges anyway? I think they should announce the list after every awarding so we could at least get a glimpse of their preference.

The MMFF 2014 also included 5 full-length entries under the New Wave category namely Ato Bautista's Gemini; Zig Dulay's M. (Mother's Maiden Name); Jason Paul Laxamana's Magkakabaung (The Coffin Maker); Arlyn Dela Cruz's Maratabat (Pride and Honor), and Diane Ventura's Mulat (Awaken), which were screened from December 16 to 24, 2014 at SM Megamall and Glorietta 4 cinemas.


The MMFF 2014 awards night was held last Saturday, December 27, 2014 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City. Below are the list of winners of the 40th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2014:

• New Wave Special Jury Prize (shorts): "Kalaw" by Asia Pacific Institute
• Best Float: Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo
• Youth Choice Film Awards: Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo
• New Wave Best Actor: Allen Dizon for "Magkakabaung"
• New Wave Best Supporting Actor: Kristopher King for "Maratabat"
• New Wave Best Supporting Actress: Gloria Sevilla for "Mother's Maiden Name"
• New Wave Best Actress: Zsa Zsa Padilla for "Mother's Maiden Name"
• New Wave Best Director: Jason Paul Laxamana for "Magkakabaung"
• New Wave Special Jury Prize: "Mother's Maiden Name"
• New Wave Best Picture: "Magkakabaung" by Jason Paul Laxamana
• Best Musical Score: Von de Guzman for "Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo"
• Best Sound Engineer: Wild Sound for "Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo"
• Best Theme Song: Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo
• Best Child Performer: Ryzza Mae Dizon for "My Big Bossing"
• Best Make Up: Kubot The Aswang Chronicles 2
• Best Visual Effects: Mothership Inc. for "Kubot The Aswang Chronicles 2"
• Best Production Design: Ericsson Navarro for "Kubot The Aswang Chronicles 2"
• Best Editor: Marya Ignacio for "English Only Please"
• Best Cinematographer: Carlo Mendoza for "Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo"
• Face of the Night: Nadine Lustre
• Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for Film: Robin Padilla for "Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo"
• Best Supporting Actor: Joey Marquez for "Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2"
• Best Supporting Actress: Lotlot de Leon for "Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2"
• Best Director: Dan Villegas for "English Only Please"
• Best Story: Antoinette Jadaone and Dan Villegas for "English Only Please"
• Best Screenplay: Antoinette Jadaone for "English Only Please"
• Special MMFF 40th Year Award: MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino
• Best Cinematographer: "Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo"
• Gatpuno Antonio Villegas Cultural Award: Robin Padilla and producers for "Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo"
• MMFF 2014 3rd Best Picture: "Kubot The Aswang Chronicles 2"
• MMFF 2014 2nd Best Picture: "English, Only Please"
• MMFF 2014 Best Picture: "Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo"
• Best Actor: Derek Ramsay for "English Only Please"
• Best Actress: Jennylyn Mercado for "English Only, Please"

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