"Baler" Dominates MMFF 2008 Awards Night

The historical film "Baler" is the big winner at the 34th Metro Manila Film Festival
(MMFF) awards night Saturday evening by taking home 10 trophies including Best Picture.

Baler also received the grade of “A” from the Cinema Evaluation Board and a commendation from the Department of Education.

The other MMFF entry that received an A grade from the CEB is Magkaibigan. But the Jinggoy Estrada starrer only managed to win 1 award courtesy of Christopher de Leon as Best Actor. Shake, Rattle and Roll X, Desperadas 2, Iskul Bukol 20 Years After and Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat each won 1 award, too.

Dayo, on the other hand, grabbed 4 trophies while One Night Only won 2 awards coutesy of Manilyn Reynes for Best Supporting Actress and Joey Reyes for Best Story.

For the first time in years, the Best Float was scrapped from the awards line-up.

Here is the complete list of winners:

34th MMFF Award Winners

Best Picture:
Baler

Best Director:
Mark Meily (Baler)

Best Actress:
Anne Curtis (Baler)

Best Actor:
Christopher De Leon (Magkaibigan)

Best Screenplay:
Baler

Gatpuno Antonio Villegas Cultural Award:
Baler

Best Supporting Actress:
Manilyn Reynes (One Night Only)

Best Supporting Actor:
Philip Salvador (Baler)

2nd Best Festival Picture:
Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat

3rd Best Festival Picture:
Iskul Bukol 20 Years After

Best Cinematography:
Lee Meily (Baler)

Best Production Design:
Aped Santos (Baler)

Best Editing:
Danny Anonuevo (Baler)

Best Visual Effects:
Robert Quilao (Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia)

Best Musical Score:
Jessie Lasaten (Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia)

Best Theme Song:
"Lipad" by Jessie Lasaten and Artemio Abad Jr.,
performed by Lea Salonga (Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia)

Best Sound:
Albert Idioma and Wally Dellosa (Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia)

Best Original Story:
Jose Javier Reyes (One Night Only)

Best Child Performer:
Robert Villar (Shake, Rattle, and Roll X)

Best Make-up:
Noli Villalobos (Desperadas 2)

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2008/12/28/baler-dominates-mmff-2008-awards-night/