THE Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) has become a part of  the traditional Filipino Christmas celebration. Every year, people line up to witness and enjoy a dose of relatable Pinoy stories that warm the heart and tickle the funny bones.

And it is not complete without entries from big stars, especially Filipino comedian, talk show host Vice Ganda.

Vice Ganda is a consistent MMFF contender who has  captured Filipino film-goers’ hearts. Packed with hilarious lines and playful plots, the comedian’s MMFF entries have won several awards during the film festival’s history.

Fans are expecting great outcomes from his latest MMFF entry Partners in Crime, with sexy actress Ivana Alawi.

Let’s take a look back at Vice Ganda’s unkabogable entries in MMFF history where he played the lead role.

The Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin (2011)

Directed by Wenn V. Deramas, this action, comedy film starring Vice Ganda, Eddie Garcia, Jimmy Santos, and Derek Ramsay tells the story of a gay dance teacher who was compelled on behalf of his ailing father to join the military during the onset of a civil war.

Although the film failed to snatch an award at the 2011 MMFF, The Unkabogable Praybet Benjamin became the first Filipino film to break the P300 million mark in the box office and was hailed the highest grossing film of 2011. 

Vice Ganda was named the Phenomenal Box Office star.

Sisterakas (2012)

Produced by Star Cinema and Viva Films, this 2012  film was one of the eight official entries during the 38th MMFF.

The film narrates the rivalry between half-siblings, whose lives went downhill after their father’s death. 

Sisterakas was nominated for the Best Film and Best Actor categories but lost to romantic drama film One More Try.

Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy (2013)

The star-studded Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy is a comedy film about the lives of quadruplets who were split up and raised apart by their parents. Years later, they met by accident as adults and went through an arduous situation when one of them had to go through a liver transplant.

While Vice Ganda did not take home the Best Actor Award, the film won two awards including 2nd Best Picture and Gender Sensitivity. 

The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin (2014)

This comedy written and directed by Wenn V. Deramas is a sequel to the 2011 box-office hit The Unkabogable Praybet Benjamin.

Vice Ganda starred in the zombie-themed film with supporting casts Richard Yap, Tom Rodriguez, Bimby Yap, and Alex Gonzaga, with the special participation of Eddie Garcia. They were in a quest to defeat zombies and terrorists.

Beauty and the Bestie (2015)

Beauty and the Bestie features the story of best buddies Erika and undercover agent Emman. In the film, Emman asks Erika to replace an abducted beauty pageant contestant as he and his agency attempt to rescue the kidnap victim.

Starring Vice Ganda and Coco Martin, the film was nominated for Best Picture during the 41st edition of the MMFF.

Gandarrapiddo: The Revenger Squad (2017)

This superhero comedy film features other prominent actors Daniel Padilla, Kathryn Bernardo, and Pia Wurtzbach. 

Directed by Joyce Bernal, Gandarrapiddo: The Revenger Squad circles on Gandarra, Rapiddo, and Kweenie, three superheroes who aim to protect what’s precious to them.

This Vice Ganda film was nominated for Best Picture and won an Audience Award for Best Film in the 42nd MMFF.

Fantastica (2018)

Garnering P596 million in box-office sales, Fantastica tells the story of a struggling carnival owner doing small shows to prevent his business from closing down. Later on, a prince asked his help for a magical mission to find three lost princesses in another land.

This Barry Gonzales film was nominated for Best Picture, Best Production Design, and Best Visual Effects.

The Mall, The Merrier (2019)

The Mall, The Merrier is a musical fantasy comedy starring Vice Ganda and Anne Curtis.

They played the role of two siblings, Moira and Morisette. The plot revolves around the siblings’ feud over a mall they both inherited from their parents.

The film gained P322 million in box-office sales and was nominated Best Picture in the 45th MMFF.

Banner courtesy: Vice Ganda’s Instagram