MOVIEGOER: Triumph of the underdogs
Published Dec 31, 2025 12:09 pm
A few things can be said of the winning results in the recently held Metro Manila Film Festival Awards Night, held Dec. 27 at Dusit Thani Ballroom.
Vice Ganda and Nadine Lustre, stars of 'Call Me Mother.' (Facebook)
But, let me focus on the two winners in the acting category: Vice Ganda, best actor for "Call Me Mother" and Krystel Go, best actress for "I'mPerfect."
Their winning tells a lot about how modern Philippine society has evolved and proceeds to evolve through the years. Vice continues to make history as the first homosexual man dressed as a woman to ever win the award commonly reserved only for men. Kaya nga best actor ang title nito, di ba?
The comedy superstar’s winning tells a lot about how Filipino social values have changed in the light of modernism brought about by technological advances and exposure to global trends.
Decades back, it would have been impossible for someone like Vice Ganda to be lionized as an icon or even a leading man or woman in films. Back in the day, gay performers were usually sidelined to supporting, gaga, roles. This is a triumph for the LGBT community.
In one fell swoop, Vice Ganda changed all that in hit films like Petrang Kabayo, Praybeyt Benjamin, among others. He presents himself as a woman and not as a gay man by the way he dresses.
He is the first cross-dressing actor to be accepted and warmly embraced by the Filipino audience. He is married and has a husband, Ion Perez, with whom he interacts on his daily noontime program, It’s Showtime.
Talk of changing values, morals, and attitudes. Ano’ng say mo, Facifica Falayfay and Fefita Fofonggay? Wa ka na say? Flanggana. Sayang, you didn’t live long enough to see this day of all days.
Vice Ganda’s track record as a bankable star speaks a lot about how much the public has invested in his talent---quick wit, voluminous, colorful language--- and believed in his credibility.
Proof of this is the actor’s successful cross-over to the advertising world, where he’s now a top-rank endorser of even products and services intended for general audiences, including families. Decades back, such casting was a no-no.
By the way, Vice won over an all-male lineup in the race for best actor: Will Ashley of "Love You So Bad," Carlo Aquino of "Bar Boys: After School," Earl Amaba of "I'mPerfect," Piolo Pascual of "Manila's Finest," and Zanjoe Marudo of "UnMarry."
A good companion piece to the naming of Vice Ganda as best actor is the victory of a newcomer, Krystel Go, who won as Best Actress for the film, "I'mPerfect." Krystel’s winning is another landmark in the history of Philippine movies as well in Philippine society as a whole.
Krystel leads the ensemble cast of persons suffering from Down Syndrome starring in the film, boldly produced by Nathan Studios. Like the case of Vice Ganda, this couldn’t have happened even in the previous golden ages of Philippine movies.
"I'mPerfect" tells the story of two teenagers, both suffering from Down Syndrome, who want to prove to the world that they, too, can live the life of normal human beings.
In fairness, Krystel renders a commendable performance not usually expected of someone with the disease. She invested the role with sensitivity and nuances befitting her character, enough for us to say that hers wasn’t a sentimental win after all.
She won in a tight category that also included Nadine Lustre, Angelica Panganiban, and Bianca de Vera.
"I'mPerfect’s" cast of actors with Down syndrome, including leading man Earl Amaba, was also awarded the Jury Prize for Best Ensemble.
Just to refresh you, these are the three best pictures in MMFF 2025: First - "I'mPerfect," Second - "UnMarry," and Third - "Manila's Finest" and "Call Me Mother."