MANILA, Philippines – It was a night to remember for actress Jennylyn Mercado, who accepted the Best Actor award on behalf of English Only, Please co-star Derek Ramsay. Just minutes later, she stood onstage accepting her own Best Actress award, to her great surprise. (READ: FULL LIST: Winners, MMFF 2014 awards night)

“No, no not at all. Hindi, talaga I swear, hindi ko in-expect na bibigyan ako ng ganitong klaseng award. First time namin gumawa ng comedy. Nakakagulat talaga,” Jennylyn told reporters after the Metro Manila Film Festival Awards Night Saturday, December 27.  

(No, really I swear. I did not not expect to receive this kind of award. It’s our first time to make a comedy. It was really surprising.)

“Ako, wala akong ini-expect na kahit ano e. Basta ang sa akin lang, ang wish ko lang, basta yung mga tao pagkatapos panoorin yung pelikula namin, masaya, nakangiti, na hindi nasayang yung pera nila,” she added.

(I was not expecting anything. For me, my wish was that after people see our movie, they’d be happy, smiling, and not feeling like they wasted their money.)

Jennylyn also shared that co-star Derek Ramsay was surprised by his win as Best Actor. 

“Wala, hindi namin napag-usapan kasi. Tingnan mo hindi nga siya nakapunta. So kami pareho hindi nag-e-expect. Nandito ako to support my English Only family.”

(Nothing. We never even talked about it. He was unable to come. So both of us were not expecting. I am here to support my English Only family.)  

Jennylyn said she considers the win as a kind of Christmas gift. In her acceptance speech, she thanked those who believed in her as well as her son Alex Jazz for being her inspiration. 

Aside from the Best Actress and Best Actor awards, English Only Please also got the Best Director award for Dan Villegas, Best Screenplay, Best Original Story, and second best picture. (READ: [MMFF 2014] ‘English Only, Please’ Review: Language of love)

See the full line up of MMFF movies here.

Derek later tweeted his appreciation for those who supported the movie, describing the year as a “crazy emotional” one. 

Sa buong cast and crew ng EOP maraming salamat. Sa lahat ng nanood at sa mmff maraming salamat.

— Derek Ramsay (@kingderekramsay) December 27, 2014

This year has been crazy emotional. I went through many trials but with the support of family, friends and faith in god I got through them.

— Derek Ramsay (@kingderekramsay) December 27, 2014

Having the opportunity to be a father to my wonderful son & now winning this award make this one of the best years of my life. Life is good!

— Derek Ramsay (@kingderekramsay) December 27, 2014

Thank you guys for all your tweets. Love ya all

— Derek Ramsay (@kingderekramsay) December 27, 2014

It’s been a tough year for Derek – he and estranged wife Mary Christine Jolly went through a very public battle after she filed a case against him citing the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act as well as a concubinage case, which involved Derek’s ex-girlfriend Angelica Panganiban.

The case has since been settled by both parties, with Derek getting to spend time with his son. – Rappler.com

More #MMFF2014

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• Photos: MMFF 2014 awards night  
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