Metro Manila, Philippines – People with down syndrome and queer icon Vice Ganda made history at the 51st edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) after taking home the top prizes in the annual Christmas cinematic event.
“I’mPerfect,” a film about people with down syndrome, was hailed as Best Picture at the Gabi ng Parangal held in Makati City on Saturday, Dec. 27.
Krystel Go, the movie’s lead star and a person with down syndrome herself, bagged the Best Actress award, besting Nadine Lustre, Angelica Panganiban, and Bianca de Vera.
“Kaya rin po naming umarte…Lord, tinupad mo po ang pangarap ko, naming lahat na maging artista,” an emotional Go said in her speech.
[Translation: We can act too…Lord, you fulfilled my dream – our dream to become actors.]
“I’m Perfect” was also awarded the Best Ensemble, a new category for the film festival.
Meanwhile, comedy star Vice Ganda – who has been with the MMFF since 2012 – bagged his first Best Actor award for the comedy-drama “Call Me Mother.”
Vice portrays the role of a queer parent, who plans to legally adopt a child he raised for a decade.
“Salamat po, nakita niyo po ako. Salamat po kinilala niyo po ako. It’s really 2025. And it’s really possible and it’s real. Queer people can be best actors,” he said in his speech.
[Translation: Thank you [to the jurors], you’ve noticed me. Thank you for recognizing me. It’s really 2025. It’s really possible and it’s real. Queer people can be the best actors.]
Lucas Andalio, who portrayed the child of Vice’s character in the film, was Best Child Performer.
“Call Me Mother” also won 3rd Best Picture and the Gender Sensitivity Award.
Most number of awards
Sharing the 3rd Best Picture award is the crime thriller “Manila’s Finest” – a film set in 1969 about a group of officers from the Manila Police District.
The film, headlined by veteran actor Piolo Pascual, bagged five technical awards: Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Sound, Best Musical Score, and Best Original Theme Song.
It was also given the Gatpuno J. Villegas Cultural Award, for instilling Filipino cultural values in the movie.
Meanwhile, romantic drama “Unmarry” – a film that sheds light on the annulment process in the country – was 2nd Best Picture.
It also took home some major awards, namely, Best Screenplay, Best Editing, and Best Director for Jeffrey Jeturian.
Tom Rodriguez of “Unmarry” won Best Supporting Actor, while screen veteran Odette Khan scored Best Supporting Actress for “Bar Boys: After School.”
The MMFF added new Hall of Famers in the list, or those who have won three or more awards in the same categories. They are Judy Ann Santos for winning Best Actress thrice and Ericson Navarro for bagging the Best Production Design multiple times.
Below is the full list of winners for the 51st MMFF:
Best Picture
I’mPerfect
2nd Best Picture
Unmarry
3rd Best Picture
Call Me Mother, Manila’s Finest
Best Actress
Krystel Go, I’mPerfect
Best Actor
Vice Ganda, Call Me Mother
Hall of Famers
Judy Ann Santos
Ericson Navarro
Best Float
Manila’s Finest
Unmarry
Gender Sensitivity Award
Call Me Mother
Montesa Female Star of the Night
Will Ashley, Dustin Yu
Montesa Female Star of the Night
Bianca de Vera
Best Visual Effects
Shake Rattle and Roll Evil Origins
Best Production Design
Manila’s Finest
Best Editing
Unmarry
Best Musical Score
Manila’s Finest
Best Sound
Manila’s Finest
Best Original Theme Song
Manila’s Finest
Best Cinematography
Manila’s Finest
Best Child Performer
Lucas Andalio, Call Me Mother
Best Supporting Actress
Odette Khan, Bar Boys: After School
Best Supporting Actor
Tom Rodriguez, Unmarry
Best Screenplay
Unmarry
Breakthrough Performance
Zack Sibug, Unmarry
FPJ Memorial Award for Excellence
Bar Boys: After School
Gatpuno J. Villegas Cultural Award
Manila’s Finest
Best Ensemble
I’mPerfect
