Now a whimper, next the bang?

The bang next time, maybe after tonight’s New Year’s Eve revelry?

So far, it’s just a whimper that we’re hearing following the 32nd Metro Filmfest Gabi ng Parangal held Friday night at the Aliw Theater.

The choices for the major winners were satisfactory (even if a veteran actress wouldn’t agree). But Enteng Kabisote (M-ZET Films/OctoArts Films) for Best Picture? An unnamed staffer of the company that produced the Vic Sotto starrer couldn’t believe it. "We are the top-grosser, all right, and we’re happy," the person said, laughing. "At ginawa pa kaming Best Picture! Masaya! Ha, ha, ha!"

One of the criteria was a film’s total gross (40 percent of the total score), never mind if the film is not really "pang-award" but purely pang-entertainment. Very clearly, the people behind the Metro Filmfest are not anymore giving much weight to quality but only to earning. Sign of the times. These days, money counts more than prestige.

Second Best Picture is Star Cinema’s Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo (which, many believe, should have won the top prize instead), with Regal Films’ Shake, Rattle & Roll 8 as Third Best Picture.

That’s how the three winners are ranked in the Metrofest’s five-day

rating (Dec. 25 to 29), to wit:

1. Enteng Kabisote, P67.9M

2. Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo, P50.4M

3. Shake, Rattle & Roll 8, P27.9M

4. Matakot Ka sa Karma, P13 M

5. Super Noypi, P11.7M

6. Mano Po 5: Gua Ai Di, P11.4M

7. Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah Zee Moveeh, P7.7M

8. Ligalig, P4 M

9. Tatlong Baraha, P2.7M

The other major winners are:

• Judy Ann Santos, Best Actress (Kasal)

• Cesar Montano, Best Actor (Ligalig)

• Gina Pareño, Best Supporting Actress (Kasal)

• Johnny Delgado, Best Supporting Actor (Ligalig)

• Joey Javier Reyes, Best Director (Kasal)