The 50th edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) recognized artists across 20 film categories during its star-studded "Gabi ng Parangal" event at Solaire Resort's Grand Ballroom on Dec. 27.

GMA Pictures bagged the Best Picture award for the second straight year for the suspense drama "Green Bones" after last year's "Firefly."

"Green Bones" bagged five other major awards, namely: Best Actor for Dennis Trillo, Best Supporting Actor for Ruru Madrid, Best Screenplay for National Artist Ricky Lee and Angeli Atienza, Best Cinematography for Neil Daza, and Best Child Performer for Sienna Stevens.

Judy Ann Santos was named the festival's Best Actress for her role in the supernatural horror film "Espantaho." Theater actress Kakki Teodoro won the Best Supporting Actress trophy  for performing in the musical drama "Isang Himala."

"Isang Himala" and the action-drama "The Kingdom" shared four awards each. 

Michael Tuviera won Best Director for the first time for "The Kingdom." The film, jointly produced by APT Entertainment, MQuest Ventures, and M-Zet Productions, also ran away with Best in Production Design and Best Visual Effects and received the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award.

"Isang Himala," on the other hand, was recognized for having the Best Musical Score and Best Movie Theme Song, aside from being given a Special Jury Prize.

"Topakk" of Nathan Studios/Fusee/Strawdogs Studio Production received the Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence, Special Jury Prize, and shared the Best Float award with "Uninvited."

Regal Entertainment's "My Future You" was cited for "Best Editing," and lead male star Seth Fedelin also received a Breakthrough Performance award.

"And The Breadwinner Is..." of ABS-CBN/IdeaFirst Company won the "Gender Sensitivity Award" while MMFF veteran and box office star Vice Ganda received a Special Jury Citation for "breaking ground and going out of the comfort zone" for her craft.

"I have been participating at the MMFF for years. This is the first time na meron akong award. Maraming maraming maraming salamat sa pagkakataon na ibinigay pa rin sa akin ng ABS-CBN. Sa mga panahon na hirap na hirap na yung kumpanyang kinabibilangan ko, pinipilit pa rin nilang gumawa ng magagandang proyekto, magagandang mga contents. At nagpapasalamat ako dahil sa mga pagkakataon na hindi na nila kayang gumawa ng maraming maraming proyekto, maraming pelikula, maraming contents, isa ko sa mga napipili nilang gumawa ng mga pelikulang ilalabas nila bawat taon," Vice Ganda remarked in her acceptance speech

(Thank you very much for the opportunity that ABS-CBN continues to give me. At this time, when the company I belong to is going through a rough patch, they still try to make good projects and good content. And I am grateful because in these times when they can no longer make many, many projects, many films, and many contents, I am one of those they choose to work with when they release films each year.)

Former President Joseph "Erap"  Estrada was also present to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. His son, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, read his acceptance speech. 

As former mayor of San Juan, Erap was instrumental in eliciting the support and participation of all local government units to the MMFF and moving the MMFF showing date to December of each year. 

Nine films out of 10 participating entries in this year's MMFF received nominations. Awards were also handed out to outstanding student short films. 

University of Makati's "Saan Aabot Ang 50 Pesos Mo?" was named Best Picture, followed by "A Delivery Rider" (City of Malabon University) - 2nd Best Picture, and "PNB 12-50" (UP Mindanao) - 3rd Best Picture. Mindanao State University's "Inang Wak-Wak" was given a Special Jury Prize.

A special 50th MMFF edition trophy,  designed by Fil-Am visual artist Jefre Figueras, was given to all the winners. The trophy pays tribute to the "rich history and enduring legacy of the Philippine cinema."