The Kingdom, a groundbreaking film reimagining Philippine history, emerged as one of the most celebrated entries at the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). Nominated across 12 categories, the film secured five major awards.

The film, a co-production between MQuest Ventures, MZet Television Productions, and APT Entertainment, was written by Michelle Ngu-Nario and directed by Michael Tuviera, DGPI, who won Best Director for his visionary work. The film also received the Second Best Picture award, Best Production Design (Nestor Abrogena), Best Visual Effects (Riot Inc.), and the prestigious Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award for its significant cultural contribution.

The Kingdom features a stellar ensemble cast, including Vic Sotto as Lakan Makisig, Piolo Pascual as Sulo, Cristine Reyes as Dayang Matimyas, Sue Ramirez as Dayang Lualhati, and Sid Lucero as Magat Bagwis. The cast’s remarkable performances earned Vic Sotto and Piolo Pascual dual nominations for Best Actor, while Sid Lucero garnered a nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Director Michael Tuviera shared his thoughts on the creative process: “Working with Bossing (Vic) and Piolo was an absolute privilege. Bossing shed his comedic persona entirely, delivering a performance as Lakan Makisig that was both powerful and vulnerable. Piolo brought incredible precision and intensity to Sulo, elevating every scene he was in. The cast also delivered deeply nuanced performances that brought their characters to life in ways that exceeded expectations.”

On the film’s themes, Tuviera added: “At its core, The Kingdom is about family—how power tests relationships and shapes legacies. We wanted to ground this alternate history in something universal that would resonate deeply with everyone.”

Producer Jane Basas, President of MQuest Ventures, expressed her excitement: “Bringing The Kingdom to life has been an incredible journey. These awards validate the creativity and dedication of our team. Following our success with GomBurZa last year, we are proud to continue delivering excellent films for Filipinos. We hope this story inspires viewers to reflect on our history and explore the possibilities of what might have been. To everyone who has supported the film in cinemas, thank you for making this journey unforgettable.”

The Kingdom is currently showing nationwide cinemas as part of the MMFF lineup from Dec. 25, 2024, to Jan. 7, 2025. Its powerful visuals, thought-provoking story, and heartfelt performances have made it a must-see event this holiday season.