Ai-Ai delas Alas shows mixed emotions as she receives the Best Actress trophy Photos by Ver Paulino

The Gabi ng Parangal of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) last Sunday evening at the Meralco Theater turned out to be a night of Rosarios. There was Rosario, the movie. And then there was Ma. Rosario “Charo” Navarro Santos-Concio’s Star Cinema that brought home a big haul of the festival awards. The film arm of ABS-CBN actually fielded three entries: Dalaw (co-produced with Cine Media), the animated film RPG: Metanoia (in cooperation with Ambient Media) and its sole production of Tanging Ina.

RPG was named Third Best Picture and brought home honors in the technical categories, while Tanging Ina was voted Best Picture and annexed with it major awards for Best Director (Wenn Deramas), story and screenplay (Mel del Rosario) and Best Actress (Ai-Ai de las Alas).

Of course, it was the epic Rosario that was expected to dominate the awards and the Cinemabuhay entry didn’t do badly either. It was Second Best Picture and winner of the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural award. Rosario also scored in the technical department.

But like in previous MMFF presentations, there were again concerns with regard to the awards race. Since I was a member of the board of judges, I was besieged with questions from the minute I got up from my seat after the ceremonies all the way to the parking area where I retrieved my vehicle. Below were some of the queries I had to address on the spot that evening:

Director Albert Martinez with the cast of Rosario, which won Second Best Picture and Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural awards

Why did Tanging Ina win when it lost in previous MMFFs?

The first Tanging was not a filmfest entry. Last year’s second installment was not one of the best of the series and definitely was inferior to the current one. This one that won Best Picture is just at par with the original, but it is definitely the Best Picture in the festival. I am not saying it is the best of the year — only among the eight MMFF entries. In fact, had Presa been included in the race, this Adolf Alix Jr. movie would have won Best Picture. But it competed and won in another category: Best Indie Film, outclassing other entries (there were five in all) that were exhibited commercially a week before the festival.

Tanging Ina is a less ambitious project compared to Rosario, but director Wenn, writer Mel and even lead actress Ai-Ai and supporting actress Eugene Domingo were able to achieve their goal. It is a comedy and it is very effective as one — plus it pushed for Filipino values, which is part of the criteria for Best Picture. 

 Why was Albert Martinez not nominated for Best Director?

I am just one vote. In my personal list, he would have been there since his handling of Rosario’s technical elements is commendable. I congratulate him for just being able to survive in one piece a monumental film project like Rosario. But maybe he could have studied the ‘20s, ‘30s era a little bit more. There is always a certain feel to every period. Attention to details is very important. No one in those days pronounced hacienda with an H. It should still be without an H when spoken today, but people who do not know any better do.

RPG: Metanoia director Luis Suarez during his acceptance speech as winner of Third Best Picture, Best Theme Song, Most Gender Sensitive-Animation and Best Sound awards

Admittedly, Rosario is a difficult film material to translate on the big screen. Albert succeeds in parts. It is visually impressive and Albert certainly has the eye for visuals (which is a primary requisite if you want to be a director). This is only his first directorial project. There will be more in the future.

Why was Mike Tuviera nominated instead?

 Super Inday and the Golden Bibe has a crappy material, but Mike was able to do wonders given what he had to work around with. His film is technically polished and he is able to properly motivate his performers. That he is able to transform garbage into gold is admirable.

Why was Jennylyn Mercado not nominated for Best Actress?

From left: Kuh Ledesma, Christian Bautista and Pops Fernandez

The part of Rosario is a role of a lifetime. It is a difficult one that called for a long preparation and a series of workshops. That required her to look coquettish and flirtatious. The judges didn’t see that on screen. For heaven’s sake, she doesn’t even know how to hold a cigarette — when the character is supposed to be ahead of her time and one who smokes and smokes like it’s second nature to her character.

Marian Rivera was nominated in Super Inday and the Golden Bibe because she was a natural in that fantasy/comedy film. Carla Abellana was also a nominee for the Punerarya episode of Shake, Rattle & Roll 12 because she showed all the right emotions (fear, frustration and despair) as a private tutor to children who turn out to be non-human.

In the case of Ai-Ai, the role that won her Best Actress was tailor-made for her. She doesn’t waste any of the creative and humorous scenes that she was made to execute in the movie. Her film is a comedy and it is right up her alley. She is Tanging Ina and gives it her all.

Why did Tanging Ina win Best Picture when it didn’t even get a grade in the Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB)?

I cannot answer that since I was retired from the CEB last summer after I had exceeded the term limit. But this much I can tell you: Judging a film is a matter of taste and opinion. I cannot speak for the rest, but as an MMFF juror, I stand by my choices.

Hosts (from left) Raymond, Ruffa and Richard Gutierrez

Was Dolphy’s double win (for supporting and lead actor) a consolation prize because this is his last MMFF participation?

Definitely not! His short role in Rosario may be brief, but he is excellent in it. In Father Jejemon, he shines in all his scenes as a priest with very modern views, ways and opinion. He may look frail and weak in his TV interviews, but on the film set, he brims with energy. Surely that is the artist in him. I’m also hoping this is not going to be his last film project. There will always be room for a great talent like Dolphy.

As a parting shot, I would like to assure the public that there was no irregularity in the 36th MMFF awards. Those who are not pleased with the results are well advised to watch all eight entries first before they whine and complain. Tell me your opinion and I will listen. But learn to respect other views as well.