ALBERT Martinez

“WE STAND by our decision,” said Butch Francisco of the 11-member jury for the 36th Metro Manila Film Festival, shortly after the “Gabi ng Parangal” ceremony on Sunday night.

The fact that “Rosario” lead actress Jennylyn Mercado and director Albert Martinez, both widely expected to win, were not even nominated, elicited negative comments from supporters on the social networking sites Twitter and Facebook.

The Best Actress and Best Director honors were given to Ai Ai de las Alas and Wenn Deramas, respectively, for “Tanging Ina Mo Rin Last Na ’To.”

“Some peeps backstage were surprised that the early favorite (Mercado) didn’t get a nod. That’s life,” said Raymond Gutierrez, who emceed the show held at the Meralco Theater in Pasig City with brother Richard and sister Ruffa.

‘Weird’

Actress Ynna Asistio was among those who watched the awards show telecast Sunday night on GMA 7. She said on her Twitter account, “Weird. Jennylyn Mercado not nominated? [Ang] daya. In fairness to her, she’s really good.”

TV host IC Mendoza had this to say: “Congrats, Ms Ai Ai, for winning. I love Ai Ai, but why was Jennylyn not nominated?”

Other nominees for the Best Actress award were Marian Rivera for “Super Inday and the Golden Bibe” and Carla Abellana for “Shake, Rattle and Roll XII.”

“Ai Ai owned the movie. She deserved to win,” pointed out Francisco, who is also a member of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino. “As for Marian, she was a natural...Carla was a revelation. She had a very short exposure in ‘Shake,’ but her performance was compact and very convincing ... Jennylyn had to have strong presence to be able to carry a movie like ‘Rosario.’”

In an interview shortly before the show, Mercado said: “I’m not expecting any award ... although I gave this movie everything I had. Direk Albert helped me a great deal. Iba ang atake ko rito..”

POPS Fernandez

Pre-arranged?

Francisco also denied talk that the awarding of the Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor trophies to Dolphy for “Father Jejemon” and “Rosario,” respectively, was pre-arranged.

“He had very few scenes in ‘Rosario,’ but he performed them perfectly,” Francisco explained. “‘Father Jejemon’ had good material. It’s very 1970s but it still worked. Dolphy was effective in every scene. We keep saying this may be his last film, but if he makes another and gives a performance similar to this, he can win again.”

The jury was chaired by presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda. Other members were Emmanuel Borlaza, Deedee Siytangco, Robert Arevalo, Ricardo Trofeo, Mae Paner, Baby Villegas, Arnold Cabaluna, Justin Jared Binos and Milton Medina.

Francisco defended the inclusion of a bus driver, a teacher, a student and a housewife in the jury. “It’s not like they were just picked from the streets. Each municipality sent a representative, who went through a screening,” he said. “Then they were briefed on film appreciation. One of them is the daughter of festival founder Antonio J. Villegas. She grew up exposed to the arts.”

The awards show started at 8 p.m. Kris Aquino, lead star of the thriller “Dalaw,” arrived an hour and a half late, escorted by six Presidential Security Group (PSG) personnel.

Prior to her arrival, an assistant to Kris had requested that eight seats be vacated for President Aquino’s youngest sister and her entourage. The actress also reportedly asked to be seated beside De las Alas.

Abellana, who was supposedly a presenter that night, was not called onstage. “Poor Carla ... hindi siya isinalang,” said Ruffa. “She even wore a beautiful flaming red gown. Her manager, Arnold Vegafria, was understandably upset.”

AMANDA Page

Late presenter

The show’s director, Al Quinn, had to re-shoot the portion where Dennis Trillo and Mercado received the Best Dressed Male and Female Stars citations because the presenter, cosmetologist Ellen Lising, arrived late onstage.

The opening number featured Marian Rivera, Gwen Zamora, Mark Herras, Mart Escudero, Buboy Villar and Jillian Ward. Singers Kuh Ledesma, Pops Fernandez and Christian Bautista paid tribute to Filipino filmmakers with the songs they performed, “Posible” and “May Bagong Umaga.”

Former actress Amanda Page, who flew in from the United States, did an updated version of Vilma Santos’ performance in the classic Celso Ad. Castillo film, “Burlesk Queen.”

The animated feature “RPG: Metanoia” received a Special Citation for Animation. The Male and Female Face of the Night awards were given to Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. and his wife, Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado.

E-mail mcruz@inquirer.com.ph