# 1977 Metro Manila Film Festival

The 1977 Metro Manila Film Festival is the third festival in the series. Previously known as the Metropolitan Film Festival and Filipino Film Festival, it was changed to Metro Manila Film Festival. A total of nine movies directed by Philippines' filmmakers participated in the 1977 Metro Manila Film Festival.
In this year, only two films were awarded. Ian Film Productions' Burlesk Queen, the top grosser of the 10-day festival, romped away with most of the awards. It won seven major awards including the Best Film, Best Actress for Vilma Santos, Best Actor for Rolly Quizon, and more. Pera Films' Mga Bilanggong Birhen won two awards: Best Cinematography for Romy Vitug and Best Art Direction for Laida Lim-Perez.

## Entries

| Title | Starring | Studio | Director | Genre |
| Babae... Ngayon at Kailanman | Charito Solis, Gloria Diaz, Chanda Romero, Vivian Velez | Melros Productions | Joey Gosiengfiao | Drama |
| Bakya Mo Neneng | Joseph Estrada, Nora Aunor, Tirso Cruz III, Gloria Sevilla, Angelo Castro, Jr., Ramon D' Salva, Angelo Ventura | JE Productions | Augusto Buenaventura | Action, Comedy, Romance |
| Banta ng Kahapon | Vic Vargas, Rafael Roco Jr., Roland Dantes, Chanda Romero | Hemisphere Films | Eddie Romero | Action |
| Mga Bilanggong Birhen | Alma Moreno, Trixia Gomez, Rez Cortez, Armida Siguion-Reyna, Monang Carvajal, Leroy Salvador | Pera Films | Mario O'Hara & Romy Suzara | Period Drama |
| Burlesk Queen | Vilma Santos, Rolly Quizon, Rosemarie Gil, Joonee Gamboa, Leopoldo Salcedo, Roldan Aquino, Chito Ponce Enrile, Dexter Doria, Yolanda Luna | Ian Film Productions | Celso Ad. Castillo | Drama, Romance |
| Inay | Dindo Fernando, Chanda Romero, Orestes Ojeda, Laurice Guillen, Ace Vergel, Dexter Doria, Alicia Vergel | Lotus Films | Lino Brocka | Drama, Comedy |
| Kung Mangarap Ka't Magising | Christopher de Leon, Hilda Koronel | LVN Pictures | Mike de Leon | Coming-of-age, Drama, Romance. Musical |
| Sa Piling ng mga Sugapa | Mat Ranillo III, Bembol Roco, Chanda Romero | Sining Silangan | Gil Portes | Drama |
| Walang Katapusang Tag-araw | Charito Solis, Mat Ranillo III, Eddie Garcia | Lea Productions | Ishmael Bernal | Drama, Romance |

## Awards

Winners are listed first, highlighted with boldface and indicated with a double dagger (‡). Nominees are also listed if applicable.
| Best Film | Best Director |
| Burlesk Queen – Ian Film Productions‡ | Celso Ad Castillo – Burlesk Queen‡ |
| Best Actor | Best Actress |
| Rolly Quizon – Burlesk Queen‡ | Vilma Santos – Burlesk Queen‡ |
| Best Supporting Actor | Best Supporting Actress |
| Joonee Gamboa – Burlesk Queen‡ | Rosemarie Gil – Burlesk Queen‡ |
| Best Screenplay | Best Cinematography |
| Mauro Gia Samonte [ceb] – Burlesk Queen‡ | Romeo Vitug – Mga Bilanggong Birhen‡ |
| Best Art Direction |
| Laida Lim-Perez – Mga Bilanggong Birhen‡ |

## Multiple awards

| Awards | Film |
| 7 | Burlesk Queen |
| 2 | Mga Bilanggong Birhen |

## Ceremony Information
### Controversies

Director Lino Brocka walked out of the awarding ceremonies at the Metropolitan Theater when Celso Ad. Castillo's Burlesk Queen starring Vilma Santos won eight of the ten awards including the Best Picture award. Mr. Brocka reportedly threw invectives at Rolando Tinio, who was the chairman of the panel of judges of the festival. It was also reported that organizers asked the winners to return their medals (the MMFF handed out medals that year) due to the controversy. However, this turned out to be just a rumor as all winners still have their awards to this day.