'Firefly' wins Best Picture, Best Screenplay at 2023 MMFF Gabi ng Parangal

Firefly, GMA's official entry to the 49th Metro Manila FIlm Festival, won the highly-coveted Best Picture award at the Gabi ng Parangal tonight, December 27.

Accepting the award was Firefly director Zig Dulay, who joked that the number of cinemas where his movie is being shown will definitely increase.

"Yey! Dadami 'yung sinehan namin," he said in jest. Turning serious, he added, "Sa totoo lang, team talaga 'yung bumuo ng Firefly,"

"Nagbabalik na po ang GMA Pictures at GMA Public Affairs. Sa pamamagitan ng Firefly, nagbibigay sila ng pangako na magpapatuloy sa paggawa ng pelikulang may puso, dekalidad, at may kabuluhan.

"Iniaalay namin ang pelikula sa lahat ng taong naniniwala sa kapangyarihan ng pangarap, kapangyarihan ng pag-ibig, at kapangyarihan ng sining."

Aside from the Best Picture award, Kapuso child actor Euwenn Mikaell won the Best Child Performer award.

Before the awards night, Euwenn's mother confirmed that her son's name was taken from the phrase "You Win" as Firefly moviegoers predicted that he would win the award.

GMA Public Affairs Assistant Vice President and Firefly writer Anj Atienza won the Best Screenplay award.

@gmanetwork 'FIREFLY' WINS BEST SCREENPLAY AT THE #MMFF2023! ✨ PANOORIN: 'Firefly' wins Best Screenplay award at the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival Gabi ng Parangal! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Congratulations, Team Firefly! 🤩 #Firefly #MMFF2023 ♬ original sound - GMA Network

Firefly is a coming-of-age road trip drama that tells the stort of Tonton (Euwenn) as he finds the mythical island of fireflies based on his mother's bedtime stories. It also stars Alessandra De Rossi, Miguel Tanfelix, Ysabel Ortega, Cherry Pie Picache, Epy Quizon, and Yayo Aguila. Kapuso actress Max Collins and Kapuso Primetime King Dingdong Dantes also have special participations.

Firefly is still showing in cinemas nationwide.

Congratulations, mga Kapuso!