The 51st Metro Manila Film Festival’s Gabi ng Parangal had it all on Saturday: glitzy stars, jaw-dropping surprises, and a few heart-tugging moments.
Dusit Thani Hotel’s lobby was packed with fans and social media “content creators” eager to see the stars strut the blue carpet before heading into the grand ballroom.
This year, MMFF served up historic firsts. The festival introduced a new category, Best Ensemble, which went to the cast of I’m Perfect. The group received a standing ovation as they took the stage, proving that sometimes the real stars are the ones breaking barriers.
And then there was Vice Ganda, who stole not just the spotlight but history itself. After a gut-wrenching performance in Call Me Mother—as a queer mother desperate to adopt a son—Vice finally clinched the elusive Best Actor trophy.
As the announcement echoed through the ballroom, audience members and fellow stars shouted Vice’s name in unison.
“Ako nga! At last,” Vice said, shaking the envelope like it contained a winning lottery ticket.
“I never expected to win,” Vice admitted. “Mas ine-expect kong di mananalo… but tonight, maaari na.”
The host-comedian recalled a joke shared by director Jun Robles Lana about a jury dominated by men—including a priest—who might not recognize a queer actor.
“It’s really 2025. Queer people can be Best Actor. A queer person in a gown can be Best Actor. It’s about damn time.”
Vice dedicated the win to fellow parents and would-be parents, their own family, industry icons like Cory Vidanes, the late filmmaker Wenn Deramas, and It’s Showtime co-hosts Ryan Bang (whom he called his first son) and partner Ion Perez.
The speech, which lasted almost 10 minutes, took an emotional turn as Vice talked about his postponed surrogacy plans: “Taon-taon hindi natutuloy ang plano namin… Gusto ko na talaga maging nanay.”
Meanwhile, the Best Actress category delivered its own twist. All eyes—and cameras—were initially on Angelica Panganiban. Then the attention quickly shifting to newcomer Krystel Go.
At just 22 and living with Down syndrome, Krystel stunned the room by taking home Best Actress for I’m Perfect, beating heavyweights Angelica, Nadine Lustre, and Bianca De Vera.
“Hindi po ako makapaniwala na nanalo ako,” she said, tears glimmering in her eyes.
The win cemented I’m Perfect as the night’s trailblazer. Along with Best Ensemble, it became the first Filipino film to feature lead actors with real disabilities, marking a significant moment in the country’s cinematic history.
Producer Sylvia Sanchez, equally emotional, dedicated the award to people with disabilities.
“Persons with Down syndrome. Persons with disabilities. You made history tonight. Para sa inyong lahat ito,” she said.
Angelica Panganiban, meanwhile, accepted 2nd Best Picture for UnMarry. Ever the sport, she joked about her unused speech before thanking her husband and urging support for the local film industry.
“Ako, naghanda ako ng speech, pero hindi ko nasabi,” Angelica, who immediately drew laughs from the crowd, said.
Other highlights included musical tributes: Jona honored Nora Aunor, love team Rabin Angeles and Angela Muji performed a dance number, and The Voice U.S. champion Sofronio Vasquez opened the show with a flourish. Hosting duties were handled by Enchong Dee, Kaladkaren, and Michael Sager.
Female Star of the Night went to Bianca de Vera (Love You So Bad), while Male Stars of the Night went to her leading men, Will Ashley and Dustin Yu. Their film walked home empty-handed, just like Gerald Anderson’s anticipated Christmas-themed entry, Rekonek, proving once again that MMFF is as unpredictable as it is star-studded.
