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‘Firefly’ bags 3 MMFF awards

by Joanna Deala

THE STAGE lit up for the cast and crew of the fantasy film “Firefly,” which garnered multiple awards at the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Gabi ng Parangal.

The 10 official entries for this year’s MMFF were recognized yesterday, December 27, at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City.

Three of the awards given at the star-studded event, attended by cast members of the MMFF 2023 entries, were taken home by “Firefly”. These include:

Best Child Performer

Euwenn Mikaell. Photo courtesy: Ryan Baldemor | republicasia

“Firefly” received the Best Child Performer award for Euwenn Mikaell, who portrayed the role of young Tonton in the film.

Directed by Zig Dulay, the fantasy movie is about Tonton’s journey to find the mythical “island of fireflies” that his mother told him about in her bedtime stories.

It starred Mikaell, Alessandra de Rossi, Dingdong Dantes, Cherry Pie Picache, Yayo Aguila, Epy Quizon, Miguel Tanfelix and Ysabel Ortega, among others.

The “Firefly” child star bested Jordan Lim from “Rewind” and Erin Espiritu from “Kampon.”

“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa lahat po ng nagtiwala po sa’kin,” said Mikaell in his short acceptance speech.

Best Screenplay

Angeli Atienza. Photo courtesy: Ryan Baldemor | republicasia

The Zig Dulay-helmed movie also snagged the Best Screenplay for “Firefly” writer and GMA Public Affairs assistant vice president Angeli Atienza.

She won against Rodolfo Vera and Pepe Diokno from “GomBurZa,” Dodo Dayao from “Kampon,” Jun Robles Lana from “Becky and Badette,” Enrico C. Santos from “Mallari,” and Suzette Doctolero from “When I Met You in Tokyo.”

In her speech, Atienza thanked everyone who supported and made the movie possible, including its cast and crew. She also expressed her gratitude to the MMFF jurors, GMA Pictures, and GMA Public Affairs.

“Para po akong si Tonton sa pelikula namin, hindi po ako makapaniwala na nangyari sa’kin ito,” she said upon receiving the trophy.

Atienza dedicated the Best Screenplay award to her son, who she described as her “firefly.”

“Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng tumangkilik sa ‘Firefly.’ It has been a privilege to tell the story and sana po lahat tayo mahanap natin ang ilaw sa’ting mga sarili,” she concluded.

Best Picture

Cast and crew of “Firefly.” Photo courtesy: Ryan Baldemor | republicasia

The stage was then filled by the cast and crew of “Firefly” as they received their Best Picture award, with Dulay delivering the acceptance speech and thanking the entire “Firefly” team.

Describing the process of making the movie, Dulay said, “Binuo talaga siya mula sa puso.”

“Inaalay namin ang pelikula sa lahat ng taong naniniwala sa kapangyarihan ng pangarap, kapangyarihan ng pag-ibig, at kapangyarihan ng sining,” stressed the filmmaker.

“Firefly” also took home a P250,000 cash prize for winning the Best Picture.

In his Facebook post, Dulay said he dedicated the movie’s victory to his mom, who was his inspiration in creating significant projects.

“Salamat sa lahat ng naniwala, tumulong at sumuporta sa pelikula. Andami kong di nabanggit sa stage dahil para akong nasa alapaap — hanggang ngayon,” he wrote in the caption.

“Inang, para sa’yo ang pagkapanalo namin!” he added.

The historical film “GomBurZa” was named second Best Picture, followed by the horror film “Mallari” as third Best Picture, and the romance movie “When I Met You in Tokyo” as fourth Best Picture.

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