The glitz and glamour of the Gabi Ng Parangal (Awards Night) illuminated the New Frontier Theater on the evening of December 27, 2023, as the Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 recognized and celebrated the best and brightest stars of the all-Filipino film festival held throughout December.
Major acting accolades were bestowed upon Vilma Santos for her role in ‘When I Met You In Tokyo’ and Cedrick Juan for his outstanding performance in ‘Gomburza.’
From a pool of ten nominated entries, ‘Firefly’ emerged triumphant, securing both the Best Picture and Best Screenplay Awards.
The historic film ‘Gomburza,’ featuring the stellar cast of Cedrick Juan, Enchong Dee, and Dante Rivero, claimed seven major awards, including the coveted Best Actor award for Cedrick Juan.
Chaired by esteemed director Chito Rono, the MMFF 2023 Gabi Ng Parangal had a distinguished panel of jurors, including luminaries such as Lorna Tolentino, Jose Javier Reyes, Mike Sandejas, Usec. Frisco San Juan Jr., Usec. Maria Lualhati Dorotan-Tiuseco, Raymond Francisco, Jaime Ang, Lee Briones Meily, Tara Illenberger, and Jerry Olea.
Best Picture: ‘Firefly’ (GMA Pictures and GMA Public Affairs)
Second Best Picture: ‘Gomburza’
Third Best Picture: ‘Mallari’
Fourth Best Picture: ‘When I Met You In Tokyo’
Best Actress: Vilma Santos for ‘When I Met You In Tokyo’
Best Actor: Cedrick Juan for ‘Gomburza’
Best Supporting Actor: JC Santos for ‘Mallari’
Best Supporting Actress: Miles Ocampo for ‘Mother of Two’
Best Director: Pepe Diokno for ‘Gomburza’
Best Screenplay: Angeli Atienza for ‘Firefly’
FPJ Memorial Excellence Award: ‘When I Met You In Tokyo’ (JG Productions)
Gatpuno Antonio Villegas Cultural Award: ‘Gomburza’ (Jesuit Communications, MQuest Ventures, CMB Film Services)
Marichu Vera-Perez Maceda Award: Mother Lily Monteverde of Regal Entertainment
Gender Sensitive Award: ‘Becky & Badette’ (IdeaFirst Company)
Best Cinematography: Carlos Canlas Mendoza for ‘Gomburza’
Best Editing: Benjamin Tolentino for ‘Kampon’
Best Production Design: Ericson Navarro for ‘Gomburza’
Best Visual Effects: Gaspar Mangarin for ‘Mallari’
Best Original Theme Song: ‘Finggah Lickin’ for ‘Becky and Badette’
Best Musical Score: Von De Guzman for ‘Mallari’
Best Sound: Melvin Rivera and Louie Boy Bayson for ‘Gomburza’
Best Child Performer: Euwenn Mikaell of ‘Firefly’
Best Float: ‘When I Met You In Tokyo’
