# Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award

Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award is an annual event created by the Metro Manila Film Festival in honor of former mayor (gatpuno) Antonio Villegas. It awards lifetime achievement awards to films in the annual film festivals, and that portrays Philippine culture and Filipino people to the world.

## History

Antonio Villegas, the Manila mayor during his time, created the Manila Film Festival, the father of the Metro Manila Film Festival and all other Philippine festivals. He appointed Attorney Espiridion Laxa to serve as the Chairman of the film festival which starts on June 14 and culminates on June 24, Manila's birthday. In addition, in an effort to promote Philippine films, Antonio Villegas banned the showing of foreign films at movie houses during the Manila Film Festival from June 14 through June 24. Furthermore, in order to instill national pride and prevent vagrants from sleeping in movie theaters, Villegas started the tradition of playing the national anthem at the beginning of each film showings. Despite criticism from smokers and cigarette manufacturers, Villegas was adamant in banning smoking from movie theaters. In that effort, he delivered his poetic verse which is displayed on movie screens right after the national anthem. It reads: "Hindi po nais namin kayo'ng pigilin, pero ang usok ay masamang hangin." This translates to "Not that we wish to restrain you, but smoke is foul air (stench)."
Most of the first batch of the festival films came up with English titles. The best films of Manila Film Festival included "Daigdig ng mga Api' (1966), "Dahil sa Isang Bulaklak" (1967), "Manila, Open City" (1968), "Patria Adorada" (1969), "Dimasalang" (1970), "Cadena de Amor" (1971), "Elias, Basilio at Sisa" (1972), "Nueva Vizaya" (1973), "Alaala mo Daigdig Ko" (1974). From 1975 to 1990, Manila Film Festival was discontinued as Metro Manila Film Festival took over.
Years after his death in 1984, a special award in the Metro Manila Film Festival bearing his name, the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award, was created in his honor and is given to the best film that best portrays Philippine culture and Filipino people to the world. MRN Film International's Andrea, Paano Ba ang Maging Isang Ina? was the first one to receive the lifetime achievement award in 1990.

## Special Award winners
### 1990s

| Year | Film | Production Company(ies) |
| 1990 (16th) | Andrea, Paano Ba ang Maging Isang Ina? | MRN Film International |
| 1991 (17th) | Juan Tamad at Mister Shooli sa Mongolian Barbeque (The Movie) | FLT Film International |
| 1992 (18th) | Okay Ka Fairy Ko! Part 2 | Regal Films and M-Zet Productions |
| 1993 (19th) | May Minamahal | Star Cinema |
| 1994 (20th) | None | None |
| 1995 (21st) | Muling Umawit ang Puso | VIVA Films |
| 1996 (22nd) | Magic Temple | Star Cinema |
| 1997 (23rd) | Nasaan ang Puso? | MAQ Productions Inc |
| 1998 (24th) | José Rizal | GMA Films |
| 1999 (25th) | Muro-ami | GMA Films |

### 2000s

| Year | Film | Production Company(ies) |
| 2000 (26th) | Tanging Yaman | Star Cinema |
| 2001 (27th) | Bagong Buwan | Star Cinema |
| 2002 (28th) | Mano Po | Regal Films |
| 2003 (29th) | Filipinas | VIVA Films |
| 2004 (30th) | Panaghoy sa Suba | CM Films Inc. |
| 2005 (31st) | Kutob | Canary Films |
| 2006 (32nd) | Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo | Star Cinema |
| 2007 (33rd) | Bahay Kubo: A Pinoy Mano Po! | Regal Films |
| 2007 (33rd) | Katas ng Saudi | Maverick Films |
| 2008 (34th) | Baler | VIVA Films |
| 2009 (35th) | Mano Po 6: A Mother's Love | Regal Entertainment |

### 2010s

| Year | Film | Production Company(ies) |
| 2010 (36th) | Rosario | Cinemabuhay and Studio5 |
| 2011 (37th) | Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story | VIVA Communications Inc. and Scenema Concept International |
| 2012 (38th) | Thy Womb | Centerstage Productions |
| 2013 (39th) | 10,000 Hours | Viva Pictures |
| 2014 (40th) | Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo | Philippians Productions, Tuko Film Productions, Buchi Boy Productions, RCP Productions |
| 2015 (41st) | My Bebe Love: #KiligPaMore | OctoArts Films, M - Zet Productions, APT Entertainment, GMA Films, MEDA Productions |
| 2016 (42nd) | Sunday Beauty Queen | Voyage Studios |
| 2017 (43rd) | Ang Larawan | Culturtain Musicat Productions |
| 2018 (44th) | Rainbow's Sunset | Heaven's Best Entertainment |
| 2019 (45th) | Mindanao | Center Stage Productions, Solar Pictures |

### 2020s

| Year | Film | Production Company(ies) |
| 2020 (46th) | Suarez: The Healing Priest | Saranggola Media Productions |
| 2021 (47th) | Kun Maupay Man it Panahon | Globe Studios, Black Sheep Productions and Dreamscape Entertainment |
| 2022 (48th) | Family Matters | Cineko Productions, Inc. |
| 2023 (49th) | GomBurZa | Jesuit Communications Foundation, MQuest Ventures, and CMB Film Services |
| 2024 (50th) | The Kingdom | APT Entertainment, MQuest Ventures, M - Zet Productions |