MANILA, Philippines – The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) held its much-anticipated Gabi ng Parangal 2025 (Awards Night) on Saturday, December 27, at Dusit Thani Manila in Makati City, recognizing the year’s outstanding films, artists, and technical achievements.
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| The 51st Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) official entries. |
Carrying the theme “A New Era for Philippine Cinema,” this year’s festival features eight official entries, reflecting a diverse mix of genres, narratives, and performances from some of the country’s biggest and emerging stars.
The Gabi ng Parangal remains one of the MMFF’s most significant highlights, honoring excellence in filmmaking while setting the tone for the festival’s overall reception during the Christmas season.
SEE ALSO: MMFF 2025 top grossers: Unofficial box-office rankings
I’mPerfect took home the Best Picture honor, with Unmarry and Manila’s Finest / Call Me Mother following closely in the top placements.
Vice Ganda made headlines by winning Best Actor for Call Me Mother — a landmark achievement for the comedian in the MMFF awards scene, with critics and audiences alike praising the performance and the film’s emotional depth.
READ: ‘At last!’: Vice Ganda wins historic Best Actor at MMFF 2025
Manila’s Finest emerged as the most decorated film of the night, sweeping multiple technical awards including Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Sound, Best Musical Score, Best Original Theme Song, and the Gat Puno Antonio Villegas Cultural Award, highlighting its artistic and cultural impact.
The ceremony also paid a heartfelt tribute to National Artist and Philippine cinema legend Nora Aunor, who passed away earlier in 2025, honoring her enduring legacy in the industry.
Other highlights included Best Actress for Krystel Go (I’mPerfect), special recognitions such as the Gender Sensitivity Award for Call Me Mother, and ensemble honors, reflecting the diversity and strength of Filipino filmmaking showcased at MMFF 2025.
MMFF 2025 Official Entries
- Call Me Mother – Vice Ganda, Nadine Lustre
- Manila’s Finest – Piolo Pascual, Enrique Gil
- Rekonek – Gerald Anderson
- Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins – Carla Abellana, Francine Diaz, Richard Gutierrez
- Bar Boys: After School – Carlo Aquino, Rocco Nacino, Enzo Pineda, Kean Cipriano
- I’mPerfect – Krystel Go, Earl Amaba
- Love You So Bad – Bianca de Vera, Will Ashley, Dustin Yu
- Unmarry – Angelica Panganiban, Zanjoe Marudo
Here's MMFF 2025 complete list of winners:
| Major Awards | Winners |
|---|---|
| Best Picture | 1st: I'mPerfect 2nd: Unmarry 3rd: Manila's Finest and Call Me Mother |
| Best Actress in a Leading Role | Krystel Go – I'mPerfect |
| Best Actor in a Leading Role | Vice Ganda – Call Me Mother |
| Best Director | Jeffrey Jeturian – Unmarry |
| Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Odette Khan – Bar Boys: After School |
| Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Tom Rodriguez – Unmarry |
| Best Child Performer | Lucas Andalio – Call Me Mother |
| Best Screenplay | Chris Martinez and Therese Cayaba – Unmarry |
| Best Editing | Benjo Ferrer – Unmarry |
| Best Cinematography | Raymond Red – Manila's Finest |
| Best Production Design | Digo Ricio – Manila's Finest |
| Best Visual Effects | Santelmo Inc. – Shake, Rattle & Roll Evil Origins |
| Best Sound | Roy Santos – Manila's Finest |
| Best Musical Score | Frederik Sandoval and Emerzon Texon – Manila's Finest |
| Best Original Theme Song | "Sandalan" by Vehnee Saturno – Manila's Finest |
| Special Awards | Winners |
|---|---|
| Gat Puno Antonio Villegas Cultural Award | Manila's Finest |
| FPJ Memorial Award | Bar Boys: After School |
| Best Float Award | Manila's Finest and Unmarry |
| Gender Sensitivity Award | Call Me Mother |
| Special Jury Prize (Best Ensemble) | I'mPerfect |
| Breakthrough Performance Award | Zack Sibug – Unmarry |
| MMFF Hall of Fame Award - Best Actress | Judy Ann Santos |
| MMFF Hall of Fame Award - Best Production Award | Ericson Navarro |
| Male Star of the Night | Will Ashley and Dustin Yu |
| Female Star of the Night | Bianca de Vera |
Awards Night Details
The ceremony was hosted by KaladKaren, Enchong Dee, Maoui David, and Michael Sager.
Viewers can watch the livestream via the MMFF Facebook page, with a television telecast at 9:15 p.m. on TV5 and True TV Channel 19 on Cignal and SatLite.
51st Metro Manila Film Festival Gabi Ng Parangal | #MMFF51Watch #MMFF51GabiNgParangal LIVE! #MMFF2025 #MMFF51
Posted by MMFF on Saturday, December 27, 2025
The program featured special performances by The Voice USA champion Sofronio Vasquez, teen sensations Rabin Angeles and Angela Muji, and powerhouse vocalist Jona.
Box Office Watch
While there is no official announcement yet on the festival’s top-grossing films, industry reports indicate that Call Me Mother, Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins, Unmarry, Bar Boys: After School, and Love You So Bad are currently leading the box office.
Producers and cinema operators are closely watching the awards night results, hoping strong wins will help boost ticket sales following reports of a slow start for some entries.
Festival Run
By virtue of Metro Manila Commission Executive Order No. 86-09, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation Nos. 1459, 1485, 1533, 1533-A, and 1647, the MMFF is traditionally held during the Christmas season in recognition of the film industry’s role in telling Filipino stories and preserving the nation’s history.
The MMFF 2025 nationwide screening runs from December 25 until January 2026.
— The Summit Express