Mother Lily Monteverde, Vilma Santos among MIFF 2025 awardees
The late Mother Lily Monteverde (left) and Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos. Image: Facebook/Monteverde/Instagram/Santos
The late Mother Lily Monteverde and Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos are among the awardees of the 2025 Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) in Hollywood, which runs from March 4 to 7.
Monteverde, the late Regal Entertainment, Inc. founder and producer, will be presented with the posthumous Monty Manibog MIFF Lifetime Achievement Award.
Liza Lew, executive producer and co-founder of the MIFF, underscored Monteverde’s significant contribution to Philippine cinema.
“Mother Lily has left a legacy and impact with every heart that beats across the more than 7,000 islands of the Philippines, the success of Regal Films serves as a powerful source of inspiration for filmmakers and talent from Manila and abroad, who are eager to reach a broader, more international audience,” she said in a statement.
Lily’s daughter, Roselle Monteverde, Regal Entertainment’s current CEO, flew to California to receive the posthumous award on behalf of her mother.
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Santos, on the other hand, will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award along with Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo and the Philippine National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee.
The award is to recognize their exemplary contributions to Philippine cinema.
Meanwhile, actors Tia Carrere and Nico Santos will receive the Trailblazer Awards for their efforts in overcoming barriers as actors of color in Hollywood.
The MIFF will also pay tribute to veteran actress Gloria Romero, known as the Queen of Philippine cinema, who passed away in January.
“The Voice” season 26 champion Sofronio Vasquez, the first male Asian and Filipino to take home the title, is set to perform in the awarding and tribute dinner.
The awarding ceremony is scheduled on Friday, March 7, at the Beverly Hotel, Los Angeles, California.
