Summer MMFF award haul could raise number of cinemas for Romnick starrer

Romnick Sarmenta, best actor

Jun Robles Lana’s psychological drama “About Us But Not About Us,” which hauled the most number of awards at the first Summer Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Gabi ng Parangal on Tuesday night, began screening on April 8 in only 35 cinemas. Three days later, it was showing in 70 movie theaters.

With the film’s multiple victories at the awards show, Robles said he was hoping that it would be screened in more cinemas around the country during the remaining days of the festival. “People discovered how good the story is by word of mouth,” said Lana on why he thought his experimental film was getting more and more people curious.

Jun Robles Lana, best director and best screenplay

Lana won the best director and best screenplay awards. Meanwhile, lead actor Romnick Sarmenta was heralded best actor, while Elijah Canlas received a Special Jury Prize for acting.

“I’m so happy with the recognitions. To be honest, this project is very personal to me. When I created it, I didn’t know how it was going to be released and how it was going to reach out to people because it’s an art-house film. To be part of the Summer MMFF was a gift. It gave the film a platform and audience. I honestly thought that after the first day, we’d only end up being screened in three cinemas,” Lana told Inquirer Entertainment.

Prior to the announcement of winners, we asked Lana who he wanted between Sarmenta and Canlas to win the best actor trophy. “Elijah is a really good actor and he already has so many recognitions. Romnick, however, has not had one in a while. It’s like we’re rediscovering him now. We’ve forgotten how extremely talented an actor he is. I just want to give him this moment.”

“About Us But Not About Us” also brought home the following trophies: first best picture, best cinematography for Neil Daza, best editing for Lawrence Ang, best production design for Mao Fadul, best musical score for Teresa Barrozo, and best sound for Armand de Guzman.

Meanwhile, Gladys Reyes was declared best actress for her performance in Brillante Ma Mendoza’s dramatic piece “Apag.”

Gladys Reyes, best actress

Real emotion

“When the nominees for best supporting actress were being announced, I was already waiting for someone to tell me I was nominated. I felt nervous when I didn’t get any. Imagine my shock when my name came up as a best actress nominee,” Reyes recalled.

“Later, people kept saying that Dolly de Leon (head of the board of jurors) really fought for me to win. I appreciate that. I also think it’s normal for these jurors to have different preferences. I don’t know what they liked about my performance, but I’m sure part of it was the ICU scene. Shooting that scene brought back memories of when my late father was in the ICU. I showed real emotion and shed real tears during that scene,” said Reyes when asked what she thought earned her the judges’ nod.

“Apag” also won the best original theme song award for Andy Alviz’s “Paralaya.”

JP Habac’s romantic drama “Love You Long Time,” starring Carlo Aquino and Eisel Serrano, was heralded second best picture. Chris Martinez’s comedy film “Here Comes the Groom” placed third.

Jervy Li, popularly known as Kaladkaren, won best supporting actress, while Keempee de Leon was declared best supporting actor, both for their performances in “Here Comes the Groom.”

Kaladkaren, best supporting actress

The comedy film, which also features Enchong Dee, Maris Racal, Iyah Mina, Xilo, Nico Antonio and Awra Briguela, was given a Special Jury Prize for ensemble acting.

The best float award was given to “Love You Long Time.”

This year’s jury had actress Dolly de Leon as chair. The members were writer-director Jose Javier Reyes who served as vice chair, actor Victor Neri, Rep. Rachel Arenas, Rep. Aloy Lim, Rep. Toff de Venecia, former MMDA manager Tim Orbos, Atty. Rochelle Ona, entertainment columnist-critic Mario Bautista, and academician Rolando Tolentino.

“I’m very happy with the results,” said De Leon shortly after she turned over the list of winners to the MMFF organizing committee. She added that, initially, she didn’t want to be part of the board of jurors.

Dolly de Leon, chair of the board of jurors

Tricky job

“I just felt that I didn’t deserve to be there. I’ve never done this before. I am just a working actor, so I felt I wasn’t in the right place to judge. But then, I thought that we all have a responsibility to the film industry, and, I guess, this is my small way of contributing to it,” she told Inquirer Entertainment.

“I’m glad I decided to do it, although it was not easy to be a juror. If we could only give recognition to everyone and not put labels, but that’s part of it. It’s a tricky job, especially with this lineup. The movies are so diverse. We had a really good mix of movies, that’s why it was a difficult task for the jurors to choose.”

The other entries were Fifth Solomon’s “Single Bells,” RC delos Reyes’ “Unravel: A Swiss Side Love Story,” Bela Padilla’s “Yung Libro sa Napanood Ko” and Joven Tan’s “Kahit Maputi na ang Buhok Ko: The Music of Rey Valera.”

The first Summer MMFF runs until April 18.