MANILA, Philippines — The spokesperson for the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) on Saturday, December 28, said there was “definitely no cooking show” as the result of last night’s Gabi ng Parangal was judged “fair and sound.”
Noel Ferrer posted his thoughts on his Facebook account a day after the awarding ceremony for the 50th MMFF was held in Solaire Resort in Parañaque City on Friday, December 27.
Related Stories
"You may agree or disagree with their choices… but the integrity of each and every member of the Jury since we took charge in 2016, especially on this 50th Edition of the MMFF, cannot be assailed,” Ferrer wrote.
Ferrer said the jury deliberated on the nominees and winners from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday. He said that only the jury chair and the MMFF executive director knew the result.
The board of jurors is headed by the University of the Philippines Film Institute professor emeritus Nicanor Tiongson. The members of the board of jurors included Film Development Council of the Philippines chair Jose Javier “Joey” Reyes, Budget secretary Amenah Pangandaman, actor John Arcilla, Film Academy of the Philippines director general Paolo Villaluna, award-winning screenwriter Roy Iglesias, producer Jesse Ejercito, entertainment journalist Marinel Cruz, cinematographer Videlle “Lee” Briones-Meilly, businessman Thomas Orbos, Metro Manila Development Council director Cesar Ona Jr., IAcademy president Racquel Wong and Robinsons Movieworld operations director Evylene Advincula.
“No leaks, definitely no cooking show… Rest assured, there was due process and the judgment was fair and sound AND FINAL,” Ferrer stressed.
GMA Pictures won back-to-back for the Best Picture award with “Firefly” in 2023 and “Green Bones” in 2024.
“Green Bones” also won five other major awards: Best Screenplay for National Artist for Film Ricky Lee and Anj Atienza, Best Cinematography for Neil Daza, Best Child Performer for Sienna Stevens, Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Ruru Madrid, and Best Actor for Dennis Trillo.
The other big winner is Pepe Diokno’s “Isang Himala” with five awards, including 4th Best Picture, Best Actress in Supporting Role for Kakki Teodoro, and Best Musical Score for Vincent de Jesus.
Some online users and fans had reacted to the alleged “snubs” of Aga Muhlach and Eugene Domingo in the acting categories, and “And The Breadwinner Is.”
RELATED: LIST: 50th Metro Manila Film Festival winners