Robin Padilla on ‘Bonifacio’s’ big MMFF win: Thanks but …

By: Julliane Love de Jesus - 10 years ago

Robin Padilla. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—After “Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo” swept major awards at the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), its lead star Robin Padilla hopes that more young Filipinos would see the Andres Bonifacio biopic.

Besting seven other official movie entries, “Bonifacio” bagged the coveted Best Picture prize, as well as the Youth Choice and the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural awards, during the MMFF awards night on Saturday.

In a recent interview, Padilla said that more than the awards, what mattered to him more was that “Bonifacio” was able to tell the people the story of the Filipino revolutionary leader.

Some sectors are pushing for the declaration of Bonifacio, “The Supremo,” as the country’s national hero, noting that he deserves the reverence that Jose Rizal has been receiving for more than 100 years.

“Malaking karangalan [ito] para sa amin at nagpapasalamat kami sa MMFF … pero higit sa mga [award] mahalaga sa amin na maibahagi ang napaka makabuluhang kwentong ito,” he said. (This is a great honor for us and we thank the MMFF for it … but more than the awards, it is more important for us to share its very meaningful story.)

Padilla added, “Sana mas marami pang tao, lalo na ang mga kabataan, na makapanood [ng pelikulang ito].” (We hope more people, especially the young, watch the movie.”

Directed by Enzo Williams, the film also won technical and special awards for cinematography (Carlo Mendoza), sound engineer (Wild Sound), musical score (Von de Guzman), original theme song (“Hindi Pa Tapos” composed and performed by Gloc 9) and best float.

The historical movie also received the Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence, a recognition bestowed to films that uphold nationalism and depict characters that fight for the poor and the disadvantaged.

The MMFF’s 40th year has eight official entries including romance-comedy “English Only Please,” action-fantasy “Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2,” action film “Magnum Muslim .357,” comedy films “My Big Bossing’s Adventures” and “Praybeyt Benjamin 2,” and horror films “Feng Shui 2” and “Shake, Rattle & Roll XV.”