MMFF 2017 gross receipts exceed P1B-mark

As agreed among producers, theater operators and other stakeholders, the Metro Manila Film Festival 2017 executive committee declined to release box office figures and ranking of the eight entries soon after the festival opened on Christmas Day so as not to create a “bandwagon effect” on audience preference.

However, after the Gabi ng Parangal on December 27, the otherwise “weak” entry, “Ang Larawan,” made a resurgence and was screened in theaters anew winning Best Picture. The musical movie also won the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award, Best Actress for Joanna Ampil, Best Musical Score, Best Production Design and Special Jury Prize (posthumous) for its writer, National Artist Nick Joaquin.