The socio-political film, 10,000 Hours dominated the 39th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), winning 14 of the 28 awards at stake.
The film, loosely based on the life of former senator Panfilo Lacson, took the biggest plum, being named the festival’s best picture during the awards night Friday at the Meralco Theater in Pasig City.
Joyce Bernal won as best director for the film, and its leading star Robin Padilla was best actor.
10,000 Hours also snared the awards for Sound Engineering, Musical Score, Visual Effects, Production Design, Editing, Cinematography, Original Story, Screenplay, and Supporting Actor (Pen Medina).
“Mabuhay ang mapayapang rebulusyon [Long live the peaceful revolution]” Padilla said as he accepted his trophy.
Bernal dedicated her award to her son and the film’s producers.
“When they talked to me, they said they wanted to win an award, and it came true. They also wanted to earn, but we haven’t earned yet, so is it okay that the award came first?” Bernal said, adding a light touch to her acceptance speech.
The film also won the Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ) Memorial Award for Excellence, which was presented by Sen. Grace Poe-Llamanzares and her son, Brian, and the Gat Puno Villegas Cultural Award.
My Little Bossings won the Third Best Picture and Best Original Theme Song awards, Aiza Seguerra was best supporting actress and Ryzza Mae Dizon the best child performer.
Maricel Soriano was named best actress for her role in Girl Boy Bakla Tomboy. The horror film Pagpag: Siyam na Buhay, bagged the Youth Choice Award and the Best Makeup trophies.
Boy Golden: The Arturo Porcuna Story starring ER Ejercito, won the award for Best Parade Float for last Sunday’s Parade of Stars.
Padilla acknowledged that 10,000 Hours may not have been a big box-office grosser.
“Wala man sa atin ang salapi, pero nasa atin ang karangalan [We may not have the money, but we have the glory],” he said.
The filmfest’s top earners were My Little Bossings, Girl Boy Bakla Tomboy, and Pagpag.
In the New Wave category, Dukit won as best picture, as well as best director for Armando Lao.
Willy Layug, Bambalito Lacap, and Bor Ocampo tied for best actor.
Agot Isidro’s performance in Alvin Yapan’s Mga Anino ng Kahapon won her the best actress award, and the film also won the Special Jury Prize.
Other awards for the New Wave category are: Student Short Film Special Jury Prize winner: #NoFilter by Luigi Rosario; Student Short Film Best Picture Ang Paglisan; Animation Special Jury Prize winner Ang Lalong ni Kulakog by Omar Aguilar; Animation Best Picture Kaleh and Mbaki by Dennis Sebastian; Most Gender-Sensitive Film Island Dreams directed by Aloy Adlawan; and Most Gender-Sensitive Film Student Film Hintayin Mo sa Seq. 24 directed by Jezreel Reyes.
Girl Boy Bakla Tomboy won the Most Gender-Sensitive Film award for the main event.
Special Recognition was given to Optical Media Board Chairperson Ronnie Ricketts.
Daniel Padilla was named Male Star of the Night and Eugene Domingo the Female Star.
10,000 Hours is a fictional rendition of Lacson’s flight from the country after the court ordered his arrest in 2010 for allegedly masterminding the murders of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and Emmanuel Corbito in 2000.