The Philippine Online Chronicles

Controversy hounded the 37^th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), among which were one of the MMFF entries being disqualified from 4 major awards; the director of another film demanding his name pulled out from the credits; and a leading actor crying foul, unfair influence and sabotage.  Despite the number of glitches, the 37^th Metro Manila Film Festival pushed through with its traditional award giving ceremonies.

Manila Kingpin director’s name pulled out

Tikoy Aguiluz, the director of Manila Kingpin: The Untold Story of Asiong Salonga, requested that his name be pulled out from the movie credits before it hit the cinemas. Director Aguiluz claimed that there was “tampering” with the finished movie.  He said that scenes not included in the original film were shot and added. He added that the musical score he approved was changed.

Aguiluz pointed out that his original version runs 1 hour and 55 minutes. After the producers reshot and re-edited the movie without his consent, the film became more than 2 hours. The director has sought legal assistance for his case.

Gov. Ejercito’s sabotage claims over delayed release of his film

Laguna Governor ER Ejercito (also referred to as George Estregan Jr.) openly complained over the delayed release of his movie, Manila Kingpin: The Untold Story of Asiong Salonga. According to the Governor, SQ Laboratories failed to deliver 34 film prints last December 25, 2011, the opening day of the MMFF. Out of the original 51 cinemas, only 17 received the prints.

According to Gov. Ejercito, SQ Laboratories promised that all the prints would be done by December 23, 2011 but since the company was tasked to finish the prints of 4 other MMFF entries, his film became the last priority.

Due to the delay of the other 34 prints, Manila Kingpin: The Untold Story of Asiong Salonga only grossed P3 million on its first showing day. Gov. Ejercito cried foul over the delay and insinuates that some form of sabotage took place.

"Kung parehas ang laban, 51 theaters pinalabas ang 'Kingpin,' malamang naka-P20 million kahapon (Sunday)," Gov. Ejercito told ABS-CBN News last December 27, 2011.

Gov. Ejercito points out Kris Aquino’s unfair influence

Manila Kingpin: The Untold Story of Asiong Salonga bagged majority of the awards at the 37th Metro Manila Film Festival but Governor Ejercito failed to take home the best actor award.  The Best Actor Award went to Dingdong Dantes for his role in Segunda Mano.

Gov. Ejercito’s failure to bring home the coveted Best Actor award may have prompted him to question the final result.  According to an article in the Philippine Star, during the victory party in honor of Manila Kingpin: The Untold Story of Asiong Salonga, Gov. Ejercito pointed out that Kris Aquino’s words may have influenced the jury’s decision. Aquino reportedly expressed her confidence that Dantes will win the Best Actor Award.  In fact, based on the article, Aquino was willing to stake her family’s name that Dantes would end up the winner. True enough, Dantes won Best Actor, beating contenders Gov. Ejercito, Ryan Agoncillo, Vic Sotto and Jericho Rosales.

Senator Bong Revilla and Congresswoman Lani Revilla’s supposed ‘walk-out’

Not even half way through the Metro Manila Film Festival program, Senator Bong Revilla and Congresswoman Lani Revilla stood from their seats and made their way to the exit.

Others have construed their actions as a form of walkout because they started to leave when the film Manila Kingpin: The Untold Story of Asiong Salonga began sweeping the awards in the MMFF.

Based on GMANetwork.com, Senator Revilla reasoned out that he had a 6 a.m. flight the following morning.  The Senator said that he was set to go to Iligan and Cagayan de Oro to extend help to the people affected by storm Sendong. Congresswoman Lani wanted to join him in Cagayan de Oro but she has to continue taping for Amaya, the GMA-7 epicserye.

Regal Films’ Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow disqualified from four categories

Regal Films’ Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow was disqualified from taking part in 4 Metro Manila Film Festival categories namely Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and the Gatpuno Antonio Villegas awards. The crew and actors were still given a chance to join MMFF's acting and technical categories.

According to ManilaTimes.net, Francis Tolentino, chairman of the MMFF executive committee said that the film deviated from the script without telling the MMFF execom. Under the rule, whatever is approved by MMFF cannot be changed without formally communicating it first with the MMFF execom.

The 37^th Metro Manila Film Festival official list of winners

The big winner of the night was Manila Kingpin: The Untold Story of Asiong Salonga. Even though it trailed behind the box office, the film bagged a total of 11 awards.

Major Awards:

Best Picture: “Manila Kingpin: The Untold Story of Asiong Salonga” (Scenema Concepts Int’l, Viva Films)

2nd Best Picture: “Enteng Ng Ina Mo” (Star Cinema, M-Zet Films)

3rd Best Picture: “Shake, Rattle, and Roll 13” (Regal Films)

Best Director: “Manila Kingpin: The Untold Story of Asiong Salonga”

Best Actor: Dingdong Dantes (“Segunda Mano”)

Best Actress: Maricel Soriano (“Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow”)

Best Supporting Actor: John Regala “Manila Kingpin: The Untold Story of Asiong Salonga”

Best Supporting Actress: Eugene Domingo (“My Househusband: Ikaw Na!”)

Best Child Performer: Bugoy Carino (“Shake, Rattle, and Roll 13”)

Best Screenplay: Roi Iglesias and Rey Ventura “Manila Kingpin: The Untold Story of Asiong Salonga”)

Best Story: Chris Martinez and Marlon Rivera (“Shake, Rattle, and Roll 13”)

Gatpuno Villegas Cultural Award: “Manila Kingpin: The Untold Story of Asiong Salonga”

Gender Sensitivity Award: “My Househusband: Ikaw Na!”

Best Cinematography: Carlo Mendoza (“Manila Kingpin: The Untold Story of Asiong Salonga”)

Best Original Theme Song: “La Paloma” by Ely Buendia (“Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story”)

Best Musical Score: Jerry Lazaten (“Manila Kingpin: The Untold Story of Asiong Salonga”)

Best Sound Recording: Mike Idioma (“Manila Kingpin: The Untold Story of Asiong Salonga”)

Best Editing: Jason Canapay and Ryan Orduna (“Manila Kingpin: The Untold Story of Asiong Salonga”)

Best Production Design: Fritz Siloria, Mona Soriano, and Ronaldo Cadapan (“Manila Kingpin: The Untold Story of Asiong Salonga”)

Best Visual Effects: Riot Inc. (“Ang Panday 2”)

Best Make-up: Florencia Penero, Niccolo Medina, and Jayvee Flores (“Enteng Ng Ina Mo”)

Best Float: “Ang Panday 2”

New Wave Category Awards:

Best Full-Length Independent Film: “Pintakasi”

Best New Wave Actor: JM de Guzman (“Pintakasi”)

Best New Wave Actress: Iza Calzado (“H.I.V.”)

New Wave Gender Sensitivity Award (Full length category): “H.I.V.”

New Wave Gender Sensitivity Award (Best Student Film category): “Speechless from Miriam College

Best Student Film: “Payaso” from De La Salle-Lipa and MATe from Colegio San Juan de Letran

Special Jury Prize: “Biyahe Ni Barbie” from De La Salle-College of St. Benilde

Special Awards:

KUTIS GANDA for Female Award: Aiai delas Alas

KUTIS GANDA for Male Award: Ryan Agoncillo

Male Sexiest Appeal Celebrity of the Night Award: Gov. ER Ejercito

Female Sexiest Appeal Celebrity of the Night Award: Judy Ann Santos

Ellen Lising Face of the Night Award for Male: Richard Gomez

Ellen Lising Face of the Night Award for Female: Iza Calzado

SMDC Most Glamorous Male Star Award: Ryan Agoncillo

SMDC Most Glamorous Female Star Award: Iza Calzado

Lifetime Achievement Award: Eddie Garcia

Posthumous Award for Excellence: Director and Choreographer Lito Calzado

Photo: Compiled from Asiong Salonga The Movie Facebook page, Panday2 Facebook page, Segunda Mano Facebook page, Enteng ng Ina Mo Facebook page, Shake Rattle and Roll 13 Facebook page, My Househusband” Facebook page.