BIG NIGHT’s Christian Bables won best Actor; The MMFF 2021 Awards night was held at SAMSUNG HALL of SM AURA PREMIER, Bonifacio Global Center, Taguig, December 27, 2021. Photo by Jude Bautista
Written and photographed
By Jude Thaddeus L. Bautista
BIG NIGHT, a story about a gay youth’s perplexing inclusion in a drug watch list, won 8 awards in total.
The MMFF 2021 Awards Night was held at the SAMSUNG Hall, SM AURA Premier in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, December 27, 2021.
It was followed closely by KUN MAUPAY MAN IT PANAHON which earned 7 nods. (English title) Whether the Weather is Fine, is a powerful story of how a mother and son and his friend cope in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda.
KUN MAUPAY MAN IT PANAHON from left: Line Producer Patricia Sumagui, (Jury Prize winner) Daniel Padilla, (Best Supporting Actress) Rans Rifol and Producer Atty Joji Alonso accept 2nd Best Picture award. The MMFF 2021 Awards night was held at SAMSUNG HALL of SM AURA PREMIER, Bonifacio Global Center, Taguig, December 27, 2021. Photo by Jude Bautista
A HARD DAY with Ding Dong Dantes and John Arcilla is a remake of a Korean hit in 2014; A cop uses his mother’s funeral to get rid of a corpse in order to escape an investigation by internal affairs. Their awards include: 3rd Best Picture, Best Editing (Lawrence Fajardo) and Best Sound (Albert Michael Idioma) and Fernando Poe Junior Memorial Award.
from left: Kedebon Colim, Garry Lim and Pio Balbuena accept the 3rd Best film trophy for A HARD DAY. The MMFF 2021 Awards night was held at SAMSUNG HALL of SM AURA PREMIER, Bonifacio Global Center, Taguig, December 27, 2021. Photo by Jude Bautista
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BIG NIGHT!’s eight trophies are a near sweep of the major awards: Best Picture, Best Actor (Christian Bables), Best Director (Jun Lana), Best Supporting Actor (John Arcilla), Best Screenplay (Jun Lana), Best Cinematography (Carlos Canlas Mendoza), Best Musical Score (Teresa Barrozo) and Gender Sensitivity Award.
BIG NIGHT! Producer Percy Intalan accepts Best Picture trophy. The MMFF 2021 Awards night was held at SAMSUNG HALL of SM AURA PREMIER, Bonifacio Global Center, Taguig, December 27, 2021. Photo by Jude Bautista
KUN MAUPAY MAN IT PANAHON (Whether the Weather is Fine) is not far behind with a total of seven: — 2nd Best Picture, Best Actress (Charo Santos), Best Supporting Actress (Rans Rifol), Special Jury Prize (Daniel Padilla), Best Production Design (Juan Manuel Alcazaren), Best Visual Effects (Mofac Creative Works, Hue Media Quantum Post, Ogie Tiglao) and Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award.
KUN MAUPAY MAN IT PANAHON Best Supporting Actress Rans Rifol. The MMFF 2021 Awards night was held at SAMSUNG HALL of SM AURA PREMIER, Bonifacio Global Center, Taguig, December 27, 2021. Photo by Jude Bautista
Filmmakers Overcoming Odds
This year was possibly the most challenging. First qualifying for the fest and then finding the necessary financing for producing their movies. Then dealing with the IATF health protocols for their production dates. After all that has been done, marketing their movies to audiences who have gotten used to streaming their films directly to their devices.
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In spite of all these challenges, the line-up is made of unique stories that reflect contemporary Filipino culture. And have good to excellent production value.
HULING ULAN SA TAG-ARAW from left: Ken Chan, Rita Daniela and Direk Louie Ignacio receive trophy for Best Original Theme Song (Louie Ignacio). The MMFF 2021 Awards night was held at SAMSUNG HALL of SM AURA PREMIER, Bonifacio Global Center, Taguig, December 27, 2021. Photo by Jude Bautista
One of the most celebrated screenwriters of our time Ricky Lee is a member of the Jury. He expressed his satisfaction with the quality of this year’s crop, “Unang una gusto kong sabihin strong (batch) siya maskina sabihing ang hirap hirap gumawa ng pelikula ngayon panahon ng pandemic. Ngayon panahon na ang tao nanonood sa TV sa streaming, sa cellphone. Ang hirap hilahin para pumasok sa sinehan. And yet naglakas loob na gumawa ng pelikula. Yung walong (8) producers. Yon na lang ang laking ginawa ng mga producers. Doon pa lang, accomplishment na yon e. Beyond that, kanya, kanya ng kalidad, excellence so on and so forth. Masaya ako as a member of the jury.”
MMFF 2021 Jurors: Screenwriter Ricky Lee and Actress Cherry Pie Picache; The MMFF 2021 Awards night was held at SAMSUNG HALL of SM AURA PREMIER, Bonifacio Global Center, Taguig, December 27, 2021. Photo by Jude Bautista
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Rounding out the list of MMFF 2021 Entries are:
HUWAG KANG LALABAS Starring: Kim Chiu Beauty Gonzales, Directed by Adolf Alix
LOVE AT FIRST STREAM, (ABS-CBN Films Productions, Kwentolabs, Inc.)
Starring: Anthony Jennings, Jeremiah Lisbo, Daniela Stranner, Kaori Oinuma
LOVE AT FIRST STREAM’s from left: Jeremiah Lisbo, Kaori Oinuma and Daniela Stranner. The MMFF 2021 Awards night was held at SAMSUNG HALL of SM AURA PREMIER, Bonifacio Global Center, Taguig, December 27, 2021. Photo by Jude Bautista
THE EXORSIS (TinCan) Starring: Toni and Alex Gonzaga
Directed by Fifth Solomon
HULING ULAN SA TAG-ARAW (Heaven’s Best Entertainment)
Starring: Ken Chan and Rita Daniela, Directed by: Louie Ignacio.
NELIA (A and Q Production Films) Starring: WynWyn Marquez, Raymond Bagatsing
Directed by: Lester Dimaranan.
EXORSIS Toni Gonzaga; The MMFF 2021 Awards night was held at SAMSUNG HALL of SM AURA PREMIER, Bonifacio Global Center, Taguig, December 27, 2021. Photo by Jude Bautista
“Organizers said the eight entries were selected out of 19 films evaluated. The films were chosen based on the following criteria: artistic excellence (40%), commercial appeal (40%), Filipino sensibility (10%), and global appeal (10%)”. From CNNPhilippines report.
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BIG NIGHT’s Message Thru Comedy
Although, the storyline may sound simple, it hides a deeper more important message about the ills of today’s society. Jurors appreciated the many ways it delivered the troubling trend of human rights abuses in more ways than one.
Ricky Lee said, “Ang husay niya e, na combine niya lahat ng klase ng kwento at lahat ng klase ng issues na may ka tatatawanan. May drama, may suspense, buhay na buhay yung sitwasyon ng Pilipino ngayon doon sa pelikula.”
BIG NIGHT’s Christian Bables receives Best actor trophy from CHED Sec. Popoy De Vera. The MMFF 2021 Awards night was held at SAMSUNG HALL of SM AURA PREMIER, Bonifacio Global Center, Taguig, December 27, 2021. Photo by Jude Bautista
Close Best Actor Race
While Best Picture had a clear winner the race for Best Actor was a lot tighter. Christian Bables beat out the likes of Ding Dong Dantes (A HARD DAY) and Daniel Padilla (KUN MAUPAY MAN IT PANAHON).
BIG NIGHT’s Christian Bables won best Actor; The MMFF 2021 Awards night was held at SAMSUNG HALL of SM AURA PREMIER, Bonifacio Global Center, Taguig, December 27, 2021. Photo by Jude Bautista
In the end it was the humanity that Bables was able to portray on screen that pushed him to victory. Lee explained, “Actually mahirap dahil close e. Magagaling silang tatlo. Si Ding dong from the first scene dalang dala niya yung pelikula. Si Christian Bables, yon din e. Nakaka awa, na nakaka tawa. Hindi lang siya character na gay kung di human being ang na i-present niya sa atin.”
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Jurors on the other hand appreciated the efficiency of Padilla’s performance, “Si Daniel Padilla kita mo yung so many ways, in so many scenes na kikita mo yung loob niya. Hindi lang yung labas. Na ilalabas niya yung kanyang loob na hindi niya kelangan ng maraming galaw. Napaka gandang bagay lalo na for a young actor na gaya niya. I think that’s why he was given the Special JURY PRIZE.”
KUN MAUPAY MAN IT PANAHON (Jury Prize winner) Daniel Padilla; The MMFF 2021 Awards night was held at SAMSUNG HALL of SM AURA PREMIER, Bonifacio Global Center, Taguig, December 27, 2021. Photo by Jude Bautista
KUN MAUPAY MAN IT PANAHON ‘s Unique Category
Perhaps the most unique among the entries is Whether the Weather is Fine, directed by Carlo Francisco Manatad which defies genres. It’s not strictly a drama but also hovers into fantasy, even a musical.
KUN MAUPAY MAN IT PANAHON — Juan Manuel Alcazaren receives Best Production Design. The MMFF 2021 Awards night was held at SAMSUNG HALL of SM AURA PREMIER, Bonifacio Global Center, Taguig, December 27, 2021. Photo by Jude Bautista
Pointing this out to Lee, he said it was the film’s audacity that made it garner so many awards, “That’s precisely the point. Ang tapang tapang niya, ang daring niya na gumawa ng isang pelikula na di ka sanayang na papanood dito sa Pilipinas. Pero ang daming gustong sabihin. And we feel dapat encourage yung ganoon klase ng tapang ng paggawa ng pelikula. Ibang klaseng story telling.”
from left: Kedebon Colim and Garry Lim accept the Best Editing trophy (Lawrence Fajardo) for A HARD DAY. The MMFF 2021 Awards night was held at SAMSUNG HALL of SM AURA PREMIER, Bonifacio Global Center, Taguig, December 27, 2021. Photo by Jude Bautista
A HARD DAY as Pinoy
Although it was Korean adaptation, it did not escape the juror’s notice of how director Lawrence Fajardo was able to make it his own. Law (for short) also happens to be the film editor and earned the win in that category (Best Editing). A HARD DAY additionally got 3rd Best Picture, Best Sound (Albert Michael Idioma) and Fernando Poe Junior Memorial Award.
“Buong buo siya e, pagkaka mount ng buong pelikula ni Lawrence Fajardo. Yung suspense, beat by beat na takbo ng pangyayari. Buong buo siya, kahit na adaptaion siya mula sa Korean film. Na gawa niyang Pinoy yung pagkaka buo ng pelikula,” said Ricky Lee.
A HARD DAY actor Pio Balbuena won Creator’s Jury Award for his short film KANDADO as filmmaker. The MMFF 2021 Awards night was held at SAMSUNG HALL of SM AURA PREMIER, Bonifacio Global Center, Taguig, December 27, 2021. Photo by Jude Bautista
MMFF Jury is composed of:
NCCA Chair Virgilio S. Almario, Senator Bong Go (Represented by CHED Chairman Popoy De Vera), Film Director Jose Javier Reyes, Screenwriter Ricky Lee, MTRCB Chair Rachel Arenas, Actress Cherry Pie Picache, Digital Lab CEO Manet Dayrit, MMFF Spokesperson Noel Ferrer and Musical Director Nonong Buencamino
From right: Boots Anson Roa, MMDA Chair Benhur Abalos, NCCA Chair Virgilio Almario and CHED Sec. Popoy De Vera. The MMFF 2021 Awards night was held at SAMSUNG HALL of SM AURA PREMIER, Bonifacio Global Center, Taguig, December 27, 2021. Photo by Jude Bautista
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Full list of winners during the event night which was held at the SM Aura Samsung Hall:
Best Picture — BIG NIGHT!
Second Best Picture — KUN MAUPAY MAN IT PANAHON
Third Best Picture — A HARD DAY
Best Director — Jun Robles Lana (BIG NIGHT!)
BIG NIGHT’s Jun Lana won Best Director and Best Screenplay; The MMFF 2021 Awards night was held at SAMSUNG HALL of SM AURA PREMIER, Bonifacio Global Center, Taguig, December 27, 2021. Photo by Jude Bautista
Best Actor in a Leading Role — Christian Bables (BIG NIGHT!)
Best Actress in a Leading Role — Charo Santos-Concio (KUN MAUPAY MAN IT PANAHON)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role — John Arcilla (BIG NIGHT!)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role — Rans Rifol (KUN MAUPAY MAN IT PANAHON)
BIG NIGHT! Producer Atty Joji Alonso’s speech for Best Picture award. The MMFF 2021 Awards night was held at SAMSUNG HALL of SM AURA PREMIER, Bonifacio Global Center, Taguig, December 27, 2021. Photo by Jude Bautista
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Jury Prize Award — Daniel Padilla (KUN MAUPAY MAN IT PANAHON)
Best Screenplay — BIG NIGHT!
Best Cinematography — Carlo Canlas Mendoza (Big Night!)
Best Editing — Lawrence Fajardo (A HARD DAY)
Best Production Design — Juan Manuel Alcazaren (KUN MAUPAY MAN IT PANAHON)
Best Visual Effects — Mofac Creative Works, Hue Media Quantum Post, Ogie Tiglao (KUN MAUPAY MAN IT PANAHON)
KUN MAUPAY MAN IT PANAHON — Ogie Tiglao (Mofac Creative Works, Hue Media Quantum Post) receives Best Visual Effects. The MMFF 2021 Awards night was held at SAMSUNG HALL of SM AURA PREMIER, Bonifacio Global Center, Taguig, December 27, 2021. Photo by Jude Bautista
Best Musical Score — Teresa Barrozo (BIG NIGHT!)
Best Sound — Albert Michael Idioma (A HARD DAY)
Best Original Theme Song — “Umulan Man o Umaraw” from HULING ULAN SA TAG-ARAW
Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award — KUN MAUPAY MAN IT PANAHON
Fernando Poe Junior Memorial Award — A HARD DAY
HULING ULAN SA TAG-ARAW from left: Rita Daniela, Direk Louie Ignacio, Producer Harlene Bautista and Ken Chan. The MMFF 2021 Awards night was held at SAMSUNG HALL of SM AURA PREMIER, Bonifacio Global Center, Taguig, December 27, 2021. Photo by Jude Bautista
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Marichu Vera-Perez Maceda Memorial Award — Rosa Rosal
Natatanging Gawad Award — the late Danilo Lim (former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman) and the late poet Bienvenido Lumbera (former MMFF Selection Committee head)
Gender Sensitivity Award — BIG NIGHT!
Creator Jury’s Choice — short film KANDADO by Pio Balbuena
Best Float during the Parade of Stars — HUWAG KANG LALABAS
NELIA’s Raymond Bagatsing; The MMFF 2021 Awards night was held at SAMSUNG HALL of SM AURA PREMIER, Bonifacio Global Center, Taguig, December 27, 2021. Photo by Jude Bautista
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Juror Chery Pie Picache with Edu Manzano; The MMFF 2021 Awards night was held at SAMSUNG HALL of SM AURA PREMIER, Bonifacio Global Center, Taguig, December 27, 2021. Photo by Jude Bautista
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The MMFF 2021 Awards night was held at SAMSUNG HALL of SM AURA PREMIER, Bonifacio Global Center, Taguig, December 27, 2021. Photo by Jude Bautista
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KUN MAUPAY MAN IT PANAHON Best Supporting Actress Rans Rifol. The MMFF 2021 Awards night was held at SAMSUNG HALL of SM AURA PREMIER, Bonifacio Global Center, Taguig, December 27, 2021. Photo by Jude Bautista
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BIG NIGHT’s Christian Bables won best Actor; The MMFF 2021 Awards night was held at SAMSUNG HALL of SM AURA PREMIER, Bonifacio Global Center, Taguig, December 27, 2021. Photo by Jude Bautista
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EXORSIS Toni Gonzaga; The MMFF 2021 Awards night was held at SAMSUNG HALL of SM AURA PREMIER, Bonifacio Global Center, Taguig, December 27, 2021. Photo by Jude Bautista
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BIG NIGHT’s Christian Bables won best Actor; The MMFF 2021 Awards night was held at SAMSUNG HALL of SM AURA PREMIER, Bonifacio Global Center, Taguig, December 27, 2021. Photo by Jude Bautista
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Text and Photos by Jude Bautista