Judy Ann Santos, Cesar Montano top film fest

Star Cinema's Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo film triumphantly went home with most of the trophies at the 32nd Metro Manila Film Festival awarding ceremonies on Saturday night, December 29, at the Aliw Theater, CCP Complex. Judy Ann Santos, also known as Juday, emerged as the Best Actress, and Cesar Montano, also known as Buboy, as Best Actor for his role in Ligalig, and Gina Pareño, Best Supporting Actress. Jose Javier Reyes was hailed as Best Director for the second straight year. He won the same award last year for the movie Kutob. Reyes said in his acceptance speech: "There's no such thing as best director. I share this with other directors. There should be mutual respect for one another at hindi unhealthy competition." The multi-awarded director also took home the awards for Best Story and Best Screenplay. "My first love is writing. There will always be stories to tell," said Direk Joey. Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo was also heralded as the Most Gender Sensitive Film and also the recipient of the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award. Add to the movie's long list of awards are the Best Movie Theme Song for "Hawak Kamay" by Yeng Constantino and second place trophy for Best Float. Star Cinema's entry almost dominated the whole evening until the best films were announced. Shake, Rattle and Roll 8 was named as Third Best Picture, Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo only came in second, and Enteng Kabisote 3: The Legend Goes On and On and On captured the Best Picture plum. Enteng Kabisote 3 and the rest of Best Picture winners won by virtue of their box-office performance. Host Edu Manzano explained after the Best Picture winners were announced that 40 percent of the criteria for judging comprised of the movie's box-office returns. As of press time, the three Best Picture winners are leading the pack. Regal Entertainment's Mano Po 5 bagged five awards. The franchise film won Best Cinematography (Charlie Peralta), Best Musical Score (Von De Guzman), Best Recording (Ditoy Aguila), and Best Production Design (Egay Littua). The film was also chosen as 1st place in the Best Float category. Ligalig, one of the three filmfest entries which was given a Rated A by the Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB), only took home three awards: Best Actor for Cesar Montano, Best Supporting Actor for Johnny Delgado (who was a no-show), and Best Editing for Jason Cahapay. Tatlong Baraha — which is currently at the tail end of the box-office race — surprisingly brought home three awards. The movie won the Best Make-up (Baby Lucero), Best Visual Effects (Imaginary Friends) and Best Festival Float. Apart from the Third Best Picture prize, Shake, Rattle and Roll 8 also got the Best Child Performer for Nash Aguas. Enteng Kabisote 3 was never mentioned the whole evening until it was adjudged Best Picture. Sunshine Cruz and Ryan Agoncillo were named Stars of the Night. Aside from Edu, the other hosts that evening were Pops Fernandez (who also performed), Miriam Quiambao and Derek Ramsay. Philippine Idol finalists Jan Nieto, Gian Magdangal and Miguel Mendoza opened the awards night with Kyla and Rachelle Ann Go in an OPM medley. Sexy stars Jen Rosendahl, Ella V. and Alyssa Alano heat up the dance floor with a sexy dance number with the SexBomb Dancers and the Dance Focus. Veteran character actresses Bella Flores, Luz Fernandez, Baby O'Brien, and Mila Ocampo peformed with Barako Boys Reggie Curley, Allen Dizon, Carlo Maceda, and Emilio Garcia. Popular rock band 6 Cyclemind sang a medley of their hit songs while Christian Bautista, Jay-R and Toni Gonzaga reminisced some of the best movie theme songs. The finale was performed by the husband-and-wife tandem of Cesar Montano and Sunshine Cruz with a sensuous bossa nova number. Pauleen Luna and John "Sweet" Lapus are the anchors while Jericho Rosales and Heart Evangelista served as trivia hosts. - Philippine Entertainment Portal