The heartwarming coming-of-age drama “Firefly” bagged the Best Picture award to lead the winners during the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival’s Gabi ng Parangal on Wednesday night.
“GMA Pictures and GMA Public Affairs are back and through Firefly, they promise to continue making meaningful, quality films. We dedicate the film to all those who believe in the power of dreams, love, and art,” said Firefly director Zig Dulay in receiving the trophy.
Dulay also expressed optimism that Firefly would be shown in more cinemas after the film bagged the prestigious award.
Veteran actress Vilma Santos and theater actor Cedrick Juan were ‘Firefly,’ claimed Best Actress and Best Actor, respectively, for the acting prowess they displayed in the films “When I Met You in Tokyo” and “GomBurZa.”
E.A.T. host and actress Miles Ocampo bagged the Best Supporting Actress award for her character in “Family of Two” while “Mallari” star JC Santos was named Best Supporting Actor.
Santos, the so-called “Star for All Seasons” who has successfully transitioned to politics, said: “I did not expect this. Our advocacy when we did ‘When I Met You In Tokyo’ was really not about winning Best Actress or Best Actor. We just wanted to tell a simple love story at our age.”
“Our advocacy is for the Metro Manila Film Festival to be successful and at the same time, for people to return to the cinemas,” said the former Batangas governor and lawmaker.
“With the 10 movies currently showing in the Metro Manila Film Festival, people are returning to the cinemas. I hope this continues because this is what our industry needs, for people to appreciate being with their families, for family bonding. I think it is happening now, and I hope it continues,” she added.
Juan, who played the role of Filipino Catholic priest Jose Burgos, thanked the people behind the historical film.
“I dedicate this honor to all Filipinos who have not received justice because 152 years ago that was what was happening to us and that is the story of the three martyred priests. I hope we learn from our history, not to change it, but to learn from it,” he said.