Another MMFF controversy: Who’s to blame?

"Pareho tayong maganda dahil hindi tayo nang-gagapang ng awards."

Now, did Celia Rodriguez really say that in reply to co-presenter Rustom Padilla’s remark that she looked beautiful before she read the cue card, naming Star Cinema’s Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo as winner of the Gatpuno Antonio Villegas Award (Second Best Picture) in the, as usual, controversy-laden 32nd Metro Manila Film Festival’s Gabi ng Parangal Friday night and then threw the card away in seeming disgust, in full view of the "live" audience at the Aliw Theater and televiewers alike?

Celia can’t and doesn’t deny saying it (the whole world heard her, remember?) but she denied throwing away the cue card, saying (as alibi?), "I dropped it by accident; nabitiwan ko."

Many people frown on a supposedly veteran actress making such an explosive/provocative (but unfounded) comment but Celia told Funfare during a phone chat, "I don’t care. I don’t want to compromise anymore!"

Celia’s (uncalled for?) remark only added fire to instead of dousing water on the ensuing controversy expected during the yearly event (for what is a Metro Filmfest without the brouhaha and the mudslinging?). But who did the "gapangan" (under-the-table dealing, if any), she didn’t say.

"Basta...," added Celia who is not a stranger to – Oops! not gapangan but – filmfest controversies. Back in the early ’70s, when members of today’s new breed of stars were not born yet, Celia found herself in the eye of an awards (FAMAS) storm when her Best Actress win (for Lilet) drove a dozen FAMAS members to resign.

Now, should we fault the MMFF (managed by the Metro Manila Development Authority headed by Fernando Bayani) for naming the Vic Sotto starrer Enteng Kabisote Best Picture? In fairness to the judges (who, contrary to rumors, haven’t been "sentenced" to march to the gallows), their choices for the other awards – Judy Ann Santos, Actress, for Kasal; Cesar Montano, Actor, for Ligalig; Johnny Delgado, Supporting Actor for Ligalig; and Gina Pareño, Supporting Actress for Kasal, etc. – were beyond reproach.

The "culprit" is the criteria (or whoever keeps changing them) which put 40 percent of the total score on "commercial viability" (gross, yes). Enteng happens to be the top-grosser, therefore...

Of course, the Metro Filmfest has ceased to be a contest of good, quality, "culturally-enriching" films but of what film makes more money at the tills. You can’t blame the MMFF guys because if the MMFF doesn’t make money, how can it be sustained? Yes, it’s more "business" than "show."

Said Malou Santos of Star Cinema in her acceptance speech, visibly disappointed because she felt (and many people agreed) that Kasal deserved to be not just second, "We didn’t join the Metro Filmfest for four years. I don’t know if we did right by joining it this year."

The Metro Filmfest brouhaha will die down in two weeks and forgotten, only to be revived in the next Metro Filmfest. It’s a vicious cycle, you know.

Did I hear right that the people behind Enteng Kabisote are laughing behind the back of the MMDA?

Why not? They aimed only to be the top grosser and they got a Best Picture plum as "bonus"!

Isn’t the MMFF a big joke?

New Year, new dear?

Yes, Angel Locsin and Oyo Sotto did break up five days ago. So soon? After going steady for barely two years?

From her hospital bed at St. Luke’s Medical Center where she was confined after Christmas for stomach pains, Angel was mum, refusing to say what caused the break-up.

"She’s not talking yet," said Becky Aguila, Angel’s manager who was keeping watch over Angel.

Is any, uh, "third party" involved?

Angel is starting to be linked to Robin Padilla now that their GMA fantasy-series Asian Treasure is set to air this month.

"No," said Becky, "there’s nothing but friendship between time. They have high respect for each other. Nakakahiya sa wife (Liezl Sicangco) at mga anak ni Robin. I hope people will stop making such speculation."

There’s a rumor that Oyo is "getting along fine" with Bing Loyzaga, estranged wife of Janno Gibbs (who himself is being linked to a few actresses). The two were said to have become "quite close" while shooting Enteng Kabisote.

Is it a case of "New Year, new dear" for Angel and Oyo?

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