The Kingdom, a reimagining of Philippine history, emerged as a standout film at the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), securing five major awards. Nominated in 12 categories, the film received recognition for its storytelling, production, and cultural impact.
Produced by MQuest Ventures, MZet Television Productions, and APT Entertainment, The Kingdom won Best Director for Michael Tuviera, who was praised for his visionary approach.
The film also took home Second Best Picture, Best Production Design (Nestor Abrogena), Best Visual Effects (Riot Inc.), and the prestigious Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award for its significant contribution to Filipino culture.
Starring Vic Sotto as Lakan Makisig, Piolo Pascual as Sulo, Cristine Reyes as Dayang Matimyas, Sue Ramirez as Dayang Lualhati, and Sid Lucero as Magat Bagwis, The Kingdom impressed both audiences and critics. Sotto and Pascual were nominated for Best Actor, while Lucero earned a nod for Best Supporting Actor.
Tuviera shared his experience working with the cast: “It was an honor to work with Bossing Vic and Piolo. Vic fully embraced a dramatic role, delivering a powerful and vulnerable performance. Piolo’s intensity and precision elevated every scene. The entire cast brought depth and nuance to their characters.”
Tuviera also spoke about the film’s themes: “The Kingdom is about family—how power tests relationships and shapes legacies. We wanted to create a story that resonated universally, something everyone could relate to.”
Producer Jane Basas, President of MQuest Ventures, expressed her pride in the project: “This journey has been incredible. These awards reflect the hard work and creativity of our team. Following our success with GomBurZa last year, we’re excited to continue producing excellent Filipino films. We hope The Kingdom inspires viewers to reflect on history and the possibilities of what could have been.”
The Kingdom is currently showing in cinemas nationwide as part of the MMFF lineup, running until Jan. 7.
