MMFF 2023 winners: 'Firefly' is Best Picture; newcomer Cedrick Juan beats Christopher de Leon, Piolo Pascual

MANILA, Philippines — The little film that could, "Firefly," took home three awards at the Metro Manila Film Festival Gabi ng Parangal 2023, including the 1st Best Picture honor.

The movie's two other wins were writer Angeli Atienza for Best Screenplay and its star Euwenn Mikaell for Best Child Performer.

"Firefly" director Zig Dulay, in his first-ever "mainstream" and MMFF entry, quipped that his movie could now screen in more cinemas — this as "Firefly" initially had the least theater appearances among all entries, though most cinemas it screened in were sold out.

Historical drama "GomBurZa" finished just behind "Firefly" as it won six other awards, the biggest haul for any entry this year, including Best Director for Pepe Diokno and Best Actor for Cedrick Juan.

"Mallari" and "When I Met You In Tokyo" were the 3rd and 4th Best Picture winners respectively, both winning four awards apiece.

HAPPENING NOW: The Metro Manila Film Festival Gabi ng Parangal 2023 is underway at Quezon City's New Frontier Theater.

Ten (10) films are vying for Best Picture, among other awards. @PhilstarShowbiz @PhilstarNews

The thespian Juan was victorious in a strong nominees list that had Alden Richards for "Family of Two," Piolo Pascual for "Mallari," Derek Ramsay for "Kampon," Dingdong Dantes for "Rewind," and Christopher de Leon for "When I Met You In Tokyo."

In his acceptance speech, Juan dedicated his win to victims of injustice like the titular priests of his film and invited other people to "sumugal sa pagmamahal ng pag-arte."

"When I Met You In Tokyo" also saw its star Vilma Santos win Best Actress, who fought through tears explaining the production team only ever wanted to make a simple love story for people of her and de Leon's age.

Santos acknowledged her co-star de Leon who was capturing her on video backstage, as well as her fellow nominees Sharon Cuneta from "Family of Two" and the "Becky & Badette" stars Eugene Domingo and Pokwang, inviting them to share the win with her.

Domingo went on stage to accept her film's two trophies, Best Original Song and the Gender Sensitivity Award, pointing out the importance of the latter and initiated a call for respect.

Awards count