Not much frenzy, except for selfie hunters in the festival awards show

JENNYLYN Mercado is congratulated by Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada

Jennylyn Mercado said she got the best Christmas gift this year—her best actress trophy for “English Only, Please” at the 40th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

“Unlike what most people think, it’s hard to do a comedy film. You need good timing and to know how to deliver your lines. The positive feedback I’ve received for the movie, I feel, is the result of the support I got from people who trusted and believed I could be effective in this project,” she told the Inquirer shortly after the Gabi ng Parangal ceremony last Saturday at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.

JEORGE Estregan and wife Maita Sanchez in traditional Muslim costume.

Mercado said her son Jazz, “my constant inspiration,” was happiest this Christmas. His dad, actor Patrick Garcia, paid the boy a visit recently. “He was with (fiancée) Nikka (Martinez), whom I am very fond of. It was good that we got to chat for a while,” Mercado related.

VINA Morales performs.

No-show Derek

“English Only, Please,” directed by Dan Villegas, is Mercado’s first romantic comedy project and her first team-up with Derek Ramsay. “I look forward to working with him again,” the actress said. Ramsay, a no-show on awards night, won the best actor trophy. She read his thank-you speech and accepted the trophy for him.

Producer Joji Alonso said the challenge for the production team was “how to make a film that will entertain and yet will not insult the intelligence of the audience.” It was declared second best picture.

ROBIN Padilla wants to produce a movie on the late Action King Fernando Poe Jr.

“Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo,” by Enzo Williams, was heralded best picture. As he thanked the jurors, lead actor Robin Padilla announced his plan to work on yet another historical film, Gregorio del Pilar’s bio pic.

DANIEL Padilla is being eyed for a major biopic, to be produced by his famous uncle.

Colegio de San Juan de Letran College of Liberal Arts and Sciences dean Rowena Capulong-Reyes was jury head, while talent manager Arnold Vegafria was vice chair. Megan Young, Jullie Yap-Daza, Laurice Guillen, Romy Vitug, Eduardo “Boy” Vinarao, Carmen Syquia-Musngi, Maan Lopez, Fr. Jacinto Padua, Rex Ado, Arlene Chua, Gabriel Paolo Angeles and Cirilo Prado were the jury members.

“Bonifacio” bagged nine trophies, including the Fernando Poe Jr. memorial award. According to actress Boots Anson-Rodrigo, presenter, the recipient of the award “must be a film made for children and fights for their rights. It should uphold nationalism, justice and hope for the future; or a film that features lead characters who fight for the poor and the disadvantaged,  like many of the beloved characters  FPJ portrayed.”

Robin’s goal

Padilla said he hoped to one day make a film about the late king of Filipino action movies, and for his teen star nephew, Daniel, to play the lead role.

SCREEN icon Eddie Garcia attends the event.

The MMFF, now on its 40th year, paid tribute to Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and the late Guillermo de Vega, who cofounded the annual festival in 1974. “It’s been that long. Its first supporters can no longer walk these days,” Estrada quipped.

Aside from fans having selfies taken with celebrities, there was not much activity on the red carpet.

INDIE actor Leon Miguel supports his colleagues in the New Wave section.

Comedian John Lapus, who is a cast member of the horror trilogy “Shake, Rattle and Roll XV,” told reporters he would pay a visit and comfort his friend, fellow comedian Vice Ganda.     The lead star of the comedy “The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin” lost his 93-year-old grandfather on Christmas Day.

Bittersweet

A STUNNED best director winner, Dan Villegas shares honor with the “English Only, Please” team.

“His movie’s box-office success is bittersweet,” Lapus said. “I hope I will be able to make him smile even though he is grieving.”

Estrada’s daughter, Jerika Ejercito, attended the ceremony with her boyfriend, actor Bernard Palanca, amid speculations that the two men are not on good terms. “We just want to focus on our son, Isaiah,” said Palanca. “We want to be better parents to him,” added Estrada’s daughter with former actress Laarni Enriquez.

BERNARD Palanca and Jerika Ejercito on the red carpet

The show, which ran for three hours, was hosted by Kris Aquino and Edu Manzano. Performers were Isay Alavarez, Robert Seña, Vina Morales, Gloc-9, Denise Barbacena, Ryzza Mae Dizon, Alonzo Muhlach and Rhed Bustamante, among others.

RYZZA Mae Dizon is best child performer.

Photos by Jilson Seckler Tiu

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