Maricel, Eric lead filmfest awardees

A pleasantly surprised Maricel Soriano was named Best Actress while Eric Quizon, who is vacationing in the US, was chosen Best Actor during the 29th Metro Manila Film Festival awards night held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City Saturday.

Both won for playing eldest child roles. Maricel plays the oldest of six children in Viva Productions’ "Filipinas," while Eric plays the eldest son who, in keeping with Chinese tradition, hires professional mourners to weep at his father’s funeral, in Unitel Pictures’ "Crying Ladies."

Hilda Koronel, cast as a ’70s bit player whose career is on the wane in "Crying Ladies," was named best supporting actress while Victor Neri won as best supporting actor for playing the activist-middle son in "Crying Ladies."

It is Neri’s first Metro Filmfest trophy.

"Crying Ladies," a heartwarming comedy produced by Tony Gloria’s Unitel Pictures, emerged Best Picture. Its director, Mark Meily, a newcomer in the field of directing for film and a product of Mowelfund Film Institute, won the Best Director trophy.

Regal Entertainment’s "Mano Po 2," about a transplanted Chinoy community in Manila, was named Second Best Picture, while "Filipinas," which deals with the trials and travails of a middle-class family, was Third Best Picture. "Filipinas" also won the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Award.

Other winners:

Best Screenplay — Roy Iglesias ("Filipinas"); Best Original Story — Lily Monteverde and Roy Iglesias ("Mano Po 2"); Best Production Design — Rodel Cruz ("Mano Po 2");

Best Makeup Artist — Florencia Pinero, Gretta Estoesta and Oscar Buara ("Fantastic Man"); Best Visual Effects — Dodge Ledesma and Roadrunner ("Malikmata"); Best Child Performer — Julio Pacheco ("Crying Ladies").

Best Cinematography - J.A. Tadena ("Mano Po 2"); Best Original Theme Song — "Isang Pagtanaw" ("Homecoming"); Best Musical Score — Francis Guevarra and Ferdie Marquez ("Malikmata");

Best Sound Recording — Mike Idioma ("Malimata"), and Best Editing — Vito Cajili ("Malikmata").

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. gave the Gender-Sensitive Award to "Homecoming," about an overseas contract worker coming home with SARS, while the Best Float award went to "Mano Po 2."

The People’s Choice awards went to Sharon Cuneta, Richard Gomez and "Mano Po 2."