8 MMFF entries reach P1-M gross

The 51st Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) made history this year as all eight official entries surpassed the P1 million mark in gross receipts on their opening day, marking the first time every film in the roster achieved the milestone simultaneously.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairperson Don Artes announced the record-breaking 25 December figures during the “Gabi ng Parangal” awards ceremony held Saturday night at the Dusit Thani Manila.

Artes further revealed that the 2025 lineup is scheduled for international screenings in Dubai and Hong Kong in January 2026.

The romance drama I’mPerfect emerged as the festival’s top honoree, securing the Best Picture award along with Best Actress for Krystal Go and the Best Ensemble award. The crime thriller Manila’s Finest also had a dominant showing, earning eight trophies including 3rd Best Picture, Best Cinematography for Raymond Red, and the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award.

The latest edition of the festival drew high-level support, including a recorded message from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who urged Filipinos to patronize the films to promote national culture and values.

Newly-minted MMDA general manager Nicolas Torre III, on the other hand, echoed these sentiments in his opening remarks, describing Philippine cinema as a vital tool for national unity.

In other major acting categories, Vice Ganda was named Best Actor for the film Call Me Mother, which also shared 3rd Best Picture honors and won the Gender Sensitivity Award. Jeffrey Jeturian was recognized as Best Director for Unmarry, which was named 2nd Best Picture and took home several craft awards including Best Screenplay and Best Editing.

Individual honors were also granted to Tom Rodriguez as Best Supporting Actor for Unmarry and Odette Khan as Best Supporting Actress for Bar Boys: After School. Lucas Andalio was named Best Child Performer for Call Me Mother, while Zack Sibug earned the Breakthrough Performance award for Unmarry.

The evening included a musical tribute by singer Jona to the late National Artist for Film Nora Aunor. The winners received trophies created by artist Toym Imao, based on the deliberations of a jury chaired by Dr. Clodualdo del Mundo Jr.

The festival, which runs in theaters nationwide until 7 January 2026, directs its proceeds to industry beneficiaries including the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation and the Film Development Council of the Philippines.