The nominees for the first Summer Metro Manila Film Festival will be revealed at noon today, April 11. The awards night will happen later at 7 p.m. at the New Frontier Theater in Cubao.
Of the may possible contenders, Romnick Sarmenta and Elijah Canlas, lead stars of “About Us But Not About Us,” are being bruited about as the most likely to bring home the best actor awards. The names of RK Bagatsing )(“Kahit Maputi Na ang Buhok Ko”), Carlo Aquino (“Love You Long Time”), Enchong Dee (“Here Comes the Groom”), Coco Martin (“Apag”), and Gerald Anderson (“Unravel”) are also being mentioned for the best actor category.
Kempee De Leon (“Here Comes the Groom”) and Sen. Lito Lapid (“Apag”) are said to be strong best supporting actor contenders.
For best actress, Gladys Reyes (“Apag”) and Kylie Padilla (“Unravel”) are said to be the likeliest rivals for best actress, along with actress-director Bela Padilla (“Yung Libro sa Napanood Ko”) and Cannes best actress Jaclyn Jose (“Apag”).
Critics are saying director Jun Lana of “About Us But Not About Us” will be up against RC delos Reyes of “Unravel,” Chris Martinez of “Here Comes the Bride,” Joven Tan (“Kahit Maputi Na ang Buhok Ko”) and Brillante Mendoza (“Apag”).
Meanwhile, internationally renowned award-winning actress Dolly de Leon is the chairperson of the first Summer MMFF jury.
De Leon is a critically acclaimed actress who has received several international nominations for her outstanding performance in the Palme d’Or award winner “Triangle of Sadness,” directed by Ruben í–stlund. Her turn as a toilet manager of a luxury yacht garnered best supporting actress nominations at the 2023 British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), Columbus Film Critics Association, and the Golden Globes, among others. She was part of “Triangle of Sadness’” winning ensemble at the CinEuphoria Awards and honored with the best supporting actress trophies at the North Dakota Film Society, International Online Cinema Awards and Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards.
Locally, she has a best supporting trophy from FAMAS for her role in “Verdict” (2019).
The Summer Metro Manila Film Festival Gabi ng Parangal will air on OnePH at 8 p.m. and TV5 at 10:45 p.m.
