# 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival

The 38th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is a part of the annual film festival in Metro Manila, Philippines held from December 25, 2012, until January 8, 2013. During the festival, no foreign films are shown in Philippine theaters in order to showcase locally produced films (except in select 3D cinemas and IMAX theaters).

## Entries

In the last week of May 2012, film producers and companies already submitted their scripts in participation with the festival. However, it will still be reviewed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to sort out entries. Of the fifteen film entries submitted, eight were chosen as the official entries. Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang was one of the eight entries chosen, but the producer sent a letter to MMDA to pull out of the film festival. On October 19, 2012, it was replaced by Nora Aunor's Thy Womb.
Here are the eight official entries:

### Official entries

The eight films with the highest lobbying placement fee paid were chosen to be the official entries.
| Title | Starring | Studio | Director | Genre |
| Si Agimat, si Enteng Kabisote at si Ako | Vic Sotto, Bong Revilla Jr., Judy Ann Santos | Octoarts Films, M-Zet Productions, Imus Productions, APT Entertainment, and GMA Films | Tony Y. Reyes | Fantasy, comedy, action |
| El Presidente: General Emilio Aguinaldo Story and the First Philippine Republic | E.R. Ejercito, Cristine Reyes | Scenema Concept International, CMB Films, and VIVA Films | Mark Meily | Action, historical drama, thriller |
| One More Try | Angel Locsin, Dingdong Dantes, Angelica Panganiban, Zanjoe Marudo | Star Cinema | Ruel S. Bayani | Drama |
| Shake, Rattle and Roll Fourteen: The Invasion | Vhong Navarro, Lovi Poe, Dennis Trillo, Paulo Avelino, Mart Escudero, Janice de Belen, Herbert Bautista | Regal Films | Chito S. Roño | Horror, science fiction |
| Sisterakas | Kris Aquino, Ai-Ai de las Alas, Vice Ganda, Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla, Xyriel Manabat | Star Cinema and Viva Films | Wenn V. Deramas | Comedy |
| Sosy Problems | Heart Evangelista, Rhian Ramos, Solenn Heussaff, Bianca King, Benjamin Alves, Mikael Daez, Aljur Abrenica | GMA Films | Andoy Ranay | Comedy |
| The Strangers | Julia Montes, Enrique Gil, JM De Guzman, Enchong Dee | Quantum Films, MJM Productions | Lawrence Fajardo | Horror |
| Thy Womb | Nora Aunor, Bembol Roco, Lovi Poe, Mercedes Cabral | Centerstage Productions | Brillante Mendoza | Drama |

### New Wave entries

The New Wave films were screened from December 18 to 22 as a prelude to the MMFF opening on December 25, 2012. This year, the MMFF will continue the tradition of supporting independent films through a bigger, better and bolder New Wave Section.
* Ad Ignorantiam - Armando Y. Lao
* Gayak - Ronaldo Bertubin
* In Nomine Matris - Will Fredo
* Paglaya sa Tanikala - Michael Angelo Dagnñalan
* The Grave Bandits - Tyrone Acierto

### Student shorts

These films were screened along with the New Wave entries.
* Kinse - Nikki Del Carmen, Mowelfund Film Institute
* Lugaw - Nikko Arcega & Minette Palcon, Mowelfund Film Institute
* Manibela - Bobby Pagotan, Far Eastern University
* Obsesyon - Danny Yu, Mowelfund Film Institute
* Pukpok - Joaquin Pantaleon, De La Salle University
* Ritwal - Samantha Fe Solidum, University of San Carlos
* Rolyo - Rea Abalos, Mowelfund Film Institute
* Sonata - Moises Anthony Cruz, University of the Philippines Diliman
* Tagad - Daniel Bautista, University of San Carlos
* Tsansa - John Paul Pepito, Cebu Normal University

## Awards

The 38th Metro Manila Film Festival Awards Night was held at the Meralco Theater in Ortigas Center, Pasig on December 27, 2012.
Winners are listed first and highlighted in boldface.

### Major awards

| Best Picture | Best Director |
| One More Try - Star Cinema El Presidente - Scenema Concept International and Viva Films (2nd Best Picture) Sisterakas - Star Cinema and Viva Films (3rd Best Picture) The Strangers - Quantum Films and MJM Productions Thy Womb - Centerstage Production | Brillante Mendoza - Thy Womb Ruel S. Bayani - One More Try |
| Best Actor | Best Actress |
| Dingdong Dantes - One More Try E.R. Ejercito - El Presidente Herbert Bautista - Shake, Rattle and Roll Fourteen: The Invasion Vice Ganda - Sisterakas Bembol Roco - Thy Womb | Nora Aunor - Thy Womb Angelica Panganiban - One More Try Angel Locsin - One More Try Janice de Belen - Shake, Rattle and Roll Fourteen: The Invasion Judy Ann Santos - Si Agimat, si Enteng Kabisote at si Ako |
| Best Supporting Actor | Best Supporting Actress |
| Cesar Montano - El Presidente Zanjoe Marudo - One More Try | Wilma Doesnt - Sisterakas Gina Pareno - One More Try |
| Best Child Performer | Best Original Story |
| Miguel Vergara - One More Try | Henry Burgos - Thy Womb |
| Best Screenplay | Best Production Design |
| Anna Karenina and Jay Gazmin - One More Try | Dante Mendoza - Thy Womb |
| Best Editing | Best Musical Score |
| Vito Cahilig - One More Try | Jessie Lazatin - El Presidente |
| Best Sound Recording | Best Original Theme Song |
| Albert Michael Idioma - El Presidente | Apl.de.ap and Jamir Garcia - El Presidente |
| Best Visual Effects | Best Make-up |
| Imaginary Friends Studios and Blackburst Inc. - Shake, Rattle and Roll Fourteen: The Invasion | Warren Munar, Benny Batoctoy and Virginia Apolinario - El Presidente |
| Best Cinematography | Best Float |
| Odyssey Flores - Thy Womb | El Presidente |
| Most Gender- Sensitivity Film | Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Awards |
| Thy Womb - Centerstage Productions | Thy Womb - Centerstage Productions |
| Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence |
| One More Try - Star Cinema |

### New Wave category

| Best New Wave Full-Length Film | Special Jury Prize |
| The Grave Bandits - Tyrone Acierto | Ad Ignorantiam - Quantum Films |
| Best New Wave Actor | Best New Wave Actress |
| Allan Paule - Gayak | Liza Dino - In Nomine Matris |
| Gender Sensitivity Award | Best New Wave Director Award |
| In Nomine Matris - Mr. Will Fredo | Tyrone Ancierto - The Grave Bandits |
| Short Film Category ||
| Best Student's Short Film Award | Most Gender Sensitive Award |
| Pukpok - De La Salle University | Manibela - Far Eastern University |
| Special Jury Prize |
| Tagad - University of San Carlos |

### 1st CinePhone Film Festival

| Luzon | Visayas |
| Monthsary - Polytechnic University of the Philippines Promdi - Don Bosco Youth Center | Two Minutes - University of San Carlos License to Drive - Christian Academy of Bacolod |
| Mindanao |
| The Boy, the Girl and the Traffic Man - Ateneo de Davao University Bulgaran sa Daan - Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International High School |

### Special awards

| Youth Choice Award for Best Film | El Presidente |
| Female Star of the Night | Nora Aunor |
| Male Star of the Night | Joseph Estrada |
| SMDC Female Celebrity of the Night | Bianca King |
| SMDC Male Celebrity of the Night | Zanjoe Marudo |
| Youth Choice Award for Best Film | El Presidente |

## Box office gross

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority was criticized for only releasing the official earnings of the Top 4 films in the days leading up to the festival's conclusion.
| Entry | Gross Ticket Sales | Gross Ticket Sales | Gross Ticket Sales | Gross Ticket Sales | Gross Ticket Sales | Gross Ticket Sales |
| Entry | December 25 | December 26 | December 27 | December 31 | January 1 | January 8 |
| Sisterakas | ₱ 39,194,312.65* | ₱ 71,600,000* | ₱ 101,000,000* | ₱ 200,100,000* | ₱ 231,878,445.67* | ₱ 342,000,000* |
| One More Try | ₱ 13,160,987.40 | ₱ 24,400,000 | ₱ 34,600,000 | ₱ 76,600,000 | ₱ 91,278,399.20 | ₱ 170,500,000 |
| Si Agimat, si Enteng Kabisote at si Ako | ₱ 29,393,219.10 | ₱ 48,600,000 | ₱ 61,000,000 | ₱ 91,400,000 | ₱ 104,458,871.19 | ₱ 133,500,000 |
| Shake, Rattle and Roll Fourteen: The Invasion | ₱ 10,579,339.60 | ₱ 19,200,000 | ₱ 20,700,000 | ₱ 30,600,000 | ₱ 34,582,606.14 | ₱ 45,300,000 |
| The Strangers | ₱ 4,902,627.00 | ₱ 7,300,000 | – | – | – | – |
| El Presidente | ₱ 4,244,500.00 | ₱ 7,100,000 | – | – | – | – |
| Sosy Problems | ₱ 3,036,408.75 | ₱ 4,700,000 | – | – | – | – |
| Thy Womb | ₱ 908,859.00 | ₱ 1,600,000 | – | – | – | – |
| | | | | | TOTAL | ₱ 767,800,000 |