IN PHOTOS: 39th Metro Manila Film Festival Awards

MANILA, Philippines – Eight films battled in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Awards, but one film stood out.

Action flick 10,000 Hours bagged 14 awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Director at the the awards night held Saturday, December 27, at the Meralco Theatre.

While the film had yet to reach blockbuster status, Best Actor Robin Padilla was ecstatic at the win. The cast and producers hope their awards will encourage the public to support the film.

“Wala man sa amin ang salapi, nasa amin ang karangalan,” said Padilla, who dedicated the politically-charged film to a peaceful revolution. (We may not have the earnings, but we have the honors.) (WINNERS: 39th Metro Manila Film Fest Awards)

Coincidentally, during a press conference held over a week before the awards night, young producers Neil Arce and Dos Quizon said they created the film with the intention of winning awards.

“Direk, gusto kong manalo ng award…. Direk, pag nanalo kami, susunod ‘yung kita. Ang intention talaga namin is to make a good film,” said Arce to director Joyce Bernal. (I want to win an award…. When we win, the profit will come after. Our intention, really, is to make a good film.)

Both Padilla and Bernal agreed that their producers are young and crazy creatives who do not fear losing money.

SWEEP. Director Joyce Bernal with the '10,000 Hours' cast

My Little Bossings took home awards for Best Child Performer (Ryzza Mae Dizon), Best Supporting Actress (Aiza Seguerra), Best Original Theme Song, and 3rd Best Picture.

Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy was awarded 2nd Best Picture, Best Actress (Maricel Soriano), as well as the Gender-Sensitive Award.

As of December 27, the two films are leading in the box office race.

Action flick Boy Golden was awarded Best Float in the annual Parade of Stars, which happened on December 22.

For the New Wave category, Dukit won Best New Wave Film, Ang Paglisan won Best Student Short Film, and Kaleh and Mbaki won Best Animated Picture.

The biggest stars were present during the night, with actresses Kris Aquino and KC Concepcion serving as hosts.

The event also featured performances from Ryzza Mae Dizon and Bimby Yap, Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo, and cast members of films Kaleidoscope World, 10,000 Hours, and Pedro Calungsod.

This year, a strict rule on attendance was imposed by the organizers. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino told PEP that absence will merit a fine of P25,000 for actors and actresses, and a fine of P150,000 for producers. Aside from this, walking out of the program as a form of protest will cost the artist P300,000.

Here are Rappler’s photos from the event (All Photos by Leanne Jazul/Rappler):