Vice Ganda on MMFF 2024 Special Jury Citation win: ‘I am finally seen’

Vice Ganda’s look for the MMFF 2024 Gabi ng Parangal. Images: Facebook/MMFF, Instagram/@jellyeugenio

A visibly shocked Vice Ganda dedicated the Special Jury Citation plum he received from the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) to his loved ones including the “And the Breadwinner Is…” team and the LGBTQIA+ community, saying the film entry made him feel “seen.”

Vice Ganda bagged the Special Jury Citation award at the MMFF 2024 Gabi ng Parangal on Friday, Dec. 27, for his performance in the Jun Robles Lana-helmed film.

According to the MMFF, the award was given to an actor who “broke ground and went out of his comfort zone to prove his growth as an artist and tackle issues relevant to contemporary society.”

The actor-comedian, however, was initially confused as he went up the stage to receive the award. “Pagtayo ko, tinatanong ko si Direk Jun at Uge, ano ba ‘tong award na ‘to? Special jury citation for what? Best dressed of the night? Special jury citation for best performance?”

“Ganun ba ‘yon? So salamat po,” he continued, which led the audience to burst into laughter. “Seriously, hindi ko alam. Nagtatanga-tangahan ako. Ayoko naman magpasalamat nang hindi ko naman naintindihan ‘yung award… Baka sa best hairstyle, best outfit.”

(When I stood up, I asked Direk Jun and Uge, what award is this? Special jury citation for what? Best dressed of the night? Special jury citation for best performance? Is that it? So thank you. Seriously, I don’t know. I feel dumb. I don’t want to say thank you without understanding what the award is for. Maybe it’s for the best hairstyle or best outfit.)

Vice Ganda’s opening remark led Dennis Trillo (one of the presenters with Lorna Tolentino) to describe the purpose of the Special Jury Citation award.

‘First’ MMFF award

After composing himself, Vice Ganda said in his speech that “And the Breadwinner Is…” was a project that finally made him seen as an actor.

“I am finally seen. I have been participating in the Metro Manila Film Festival for years. This is the first time na meron akong award (this is the first time I won an award),” he said while expressing his gratitude to ABS-CBN and Lana.

“Maraming, maraming, maraming, salamat sa pagkakataon na binigay sa’kin ng ABS-CBN. Sa mga panahon na hirap na hirap ang kompanya na kinabibilangan ko ay pinipilit pa rin nilang gumawa ng magandang proyekto at magandang contents… at nagpapasalamat ako kay Jun Lana, binigyan mo ko ng magandang storya. Binigyan mo ako ng ganitong storya na inaantay na rin ng marami,” he said.

(Thank you very much to ABS-CBN for the opportunity. In a time when the company was struggling, I was still considered to be given good projects and content. And I want to thank Jun Lana. You gave me a good story. You gave me a good story that the public has been waiting for.)

“And the Breadwinner Is…” stars Jhong Hilario, Via Antonio, Eugene Domingo, Vice Ganda, Petite, Kokoy de Santos and Gladys Reyes during the Parade of Stars. Image: Arnel Tacson/INQUIRER.net

The “It’s Showtime” host nonetheless didn’t waste an opportunity to make the audience laugh, as he joked that the award might be a way for him to not be named Best Actor.

“My God, hahabaan ko na. Kasi ibig sabihin, hindi ko makukuha ang Best Actor. Baka ito ‘yung award sa first runner-up, ‘yung mga sayang naman ang outfit, sikat naman siya, panalunin na natin siya for star value of the moment. Pero Special Jury Citation, maraming salamat sa pagkilala. Shineshare ko ‘to sa kapwa kong artista,” he said.

(My God, I’ll make this speech long because this [award] means I won’t be named Best Actor. This might be for the first runner-up winner. This might be for those who might’ve wasted their outfits or are popular, let’s let them win for star value of the moment. But for this Special Jury Citation, thank you very much to those who recognized me. I’m sharing this with my fellow actors.)

In his speech, Vice Ganda addressed his co-stars Eugene Domingo, Gladys Reyes, Maris Racal and Malou de Guzman, saying they deserved to get a Best Supporting Actress nod. Notably, none of them were nominated for the award.

“Gusto kong ishare ‘to sa nanay ko. May award na tayo, mabigat na mabigat… Inaalay ko ‘to sa aking asawa na si Ion Perez, siya ang pinakamasaya. At inaalay ko ito sa mga bahagi ng LGBTQIA+ community, para sa ating lahat ito,” he added. “Maraming salamat sa Metro Manila Film Festival at kinikilala niyo ako at ang kakayahan ko, isang baklang performer.”

(I want to share this with my mother. We have a heavy award. I also share this with my husband, Ion Perez, who’s the happiest for me. I also dedicate this to the LGBTQIA+ community. This is for us. Thank you very much to the Metro Manila Film Festival and you recognize me and my abilities as a gay performer.)

Vice Ganda also bagged the nomination for Best Actor alongside Seth Fedelin, Vic Sotto, Piolo Pascual, Arjo Atayde, and eventual winner Dennis Trillo.