Felix Manalo, the eponymous biopic of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) founder shown in theaters in October last year, bagged five major awards at the recently-concluded 32nd PMPC Star Awards on March 6.
The sprawling historical drama won Movie of the Year plus Best Director and Best Actor honors for Joel Lamangan and Dennis Trillo, respectively.
The film likewise won awards for Movie Production Designer of the Year (Edgar Martin Littaua, Joel Bilbao, and Danny Red) and Movie Original Theme Song of the Year (“Ang Sugo ng Diyos Mula Sa Mga Huling Araw”) sung by Sarah Geronimo.
Produced under the leadership of the present INC Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo as part of the INC’s 100th year celebration on July 27, 2014, it featured actors and actresses including Joel Torre, Elizabeth Oropesa, Bella Padilla and Gladys Reyes.
Last year, the film broke the Guinness Book of World Records for “Largest Attendance For A Film Screening” and “Largest Attendance For A Film Premiere.” A record-setting 43,624 people trooped to The Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan for its first public showing.
Reached for comment. Lamangan said that he was proud of the film, and the awards were a validation that the Manalo the film and the person deserved serious consideration from Filipino critics and the movie-going public for offering a truthful narration of the origins and challenges of the homegrown Filipino church.
The movie will be released worldwide on DVD worldwide.