Thirtieth Anniversary of the 20th Metro Manila Film Festival: A Throwback

The 20th Metro Manila Film Festival was held from December 25, 1994, to January 3, 1995. 

The event was particularly controversial because no film won the award for Best Picture, the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Awards, Best Director, and Best Screenplay.

According to Board of Jurors chairman Alejandro Roces, none of the following entries during that edition of the MMFF were deserving of the said awards.

Ang Pagbabalik ni Pedro Penduko
Kanto Boy 2: Anak ni Totoy Guwapo
Lucas Abelardo
Mama's Boys 2: Let's Go Na!
Shake, Rattle & Roll V
Wanted: Perfect Father

As we recall the thirtieth edition of this event, let us revisit the details of the six entries:
 

Ang Pagbabalik ni Pedro Penduko (Tagalog: The Return of Pedro Penduko)

Production Company: Viva Films

MAIN CAST

Janno Gibbs ... Pedro Penduko

Chiquito ... Abraham

Leo Martinez ... Lucifero

Jun Aristorenas ... Kidlat

Arnel Ignacio ... Ricky

Malou De Guzman ... Rosario

Vina Morales ... Anna

Donita Rose ... Bambi

SELECTED CREW

Direction ... J. Erastheo Navoa

Story ... Francisco V. Coching

Screenplay ... J. Erastheo Navoa and Ely Matawaran

Cinematography ... Ben Lobo

Production Design ... Ben Payumo

Editing … Edgardo 'Totoy' Jarlego

Musical Direction    ... Ricky Del Rosario

Executive Producer ... Vic Del Rosario Jr.

NOTES

*** Winner of five major MMFF Awards: Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Visual/Special Effects, Best Make-Up and Best Float.

*** Pedro Penduko is a fictional comic book character created by Francisco V. Coching, a National Artist for Literature. 

*** Janno Gibbs is the third actor to portray the folk hero in film. Efren Reyes Sr. and Ramon Zamora were the first two actors to play the said role. 

*** The poster mentions the appearance of a 'special guest star.' This celebrity was none other than Fernando Poe Jr., who was supported by Janno Gibbs in the 1990 film Hindi Ka Na Sisikatan ng Araw: Kapag Puno Na ang Salop, Part III.

Kanto Boy 2: Anak ni Totoy Guwapo (Tagalog: Corner Boy 2: Son of Handsome Totoy)

Production Company: Moviestars Productions

MAIN CAST

Ian Veneracion ... Guiller

Kimberly Diaz ... Michelle

Ramon Christopher ... Albert

Dick Israel ... Benjie

Bunny Paras ... Bernadette

Bob Soler ... Totoy Guwapo

Max Laurel ... Igay

Dencio Padilla ... Maning

Jimmy Fabregas ... Don Anselmo

Dindo Arroyo ... Albert's Aide

Debraliz ... Marvi

Eric Francisco ... Arman

Mike Magat ... Albert's Aide

Devin Villarama ... Albert's Aide

SELECTED CREW

Direction ... Augusto Salvador

Story and Screenplay … Humilde 'Meek' Roxas

Cinematography ... Rey Lapid

Production Design ... Rolly Bernardo

Editing … Joyce Bernal and Danny Gloria

Musical Direction ... Jimmy Fabregas

Executive Producer ... Victor Villegas

NOTE

*** Winner of three major MMFF Awards: Best Actress (Kimberly Diaz), Best Supporting Actor (Dick Israel) and Best Musical Scoring (Jimmy Fabregas).  

*** This is the sequel to the Totoy Guwapo: Alyas Kanto Boy, a 1992 film directed by Toto Natividad and starring Ace Vergel in the title role.

*** Bembol Roco starred in Kanto Boy and Totoy Guwapo: Police Informer in 1980 and 1981, respectively.

Lucas Abelardo

Production Company: Levin Films

MAIN CAST

Roi Vinzon ... Lucas Abelardo

Karen Timbol ... Cenda

Bembol Roco ... Chief

Dante Rivero ... Mayor

Bob Soler ... Governor

Teresa Loyzaga ... Lucas's Wife

SELECTED CREW

Direction, Story, and Screenplay ... Jose 'Kaka' Balagtas

Cinematography ... Ver Dauz

Production Design ... Sonny Valencia

Editing … Renato De Leon

Musical Direction ... Rey Magtoto

Executive Producer ... Jose D. Ignacio

NOTES

*** Winner of five major MMFF Awards: Best Actor (Roi Vinzon), Best Supporting Actress (Karen Timbol), Best Story (Jose 'Kaka' Balagtas), Best Sound Recording and Best Original Music.

*** Second movie collaboration between actor Roi Vinzon and director Jose 'Kaka' Balagtas after Baby Paterno: Dugong Pulis, which was also released in 1994.

Mama's Boys 2: Let's Go Na!

Production Companies: OctoArts Films

 

MAIN CAST

Anjo Yllana ... John

Patrick Guzman ... George

Michael V. ... Ringo

Ogie Alcasid ... Paul

Sunshine Cruz ... Mia

Lailani Navarro ... Lani

Aileen Angeles ... Dulce

Jennifer Mendoza ... Maria

SELECTED CREW

Direction, Story and Screenplay ... Tony Y. Reyes

Cinematography ... Rey De Leon

Production Design ... Buboy Tan

Editing … Eduardo Jarlego

Musical Direction ... Jessie Lasaten

Executive Producer ... Orly R. Ilacad

NOTES

*** The second movie featuring Anjo Yllana, Michael V., Lailani Navarro and Aileen Angeles released in a month.

*** Patrick Guzman replaces Francis Magalona in this sequel to 1993's Mama's Boys: Mga Praning-Ning.

Shake, Rattle & Roll V

Production Company: Regal Films

MAIN CAST

Ruffa Gutierrez ... Laurie (segment Episode I: Maligno)

Sheryl Cruz ... Gina (segment Episode II: Anino)

Manilyn Reynes ... Lizbeth (segment Episode III: Impakto)

Monsour Del Rosario ... Victor (segment Episode I: Maligno)

Jaclyn Jose ... Mowie (segment Episode II: Anino)

Chuck Perez ... Andres (segment Episode III: Impakto)

Tom Taus Jr. ... Charlie (segment Episode III: Impakto)

SELECTED CREW

Direction ... Don Escudero (segment Episode I: Maligno), Jose Javier Reyes (segment Episode II: Anino) and Manny Castañeda (segment Episode III: Impakto)

Story and Screenplay ... Jose Javier Reyes

Cinematography ... Jun Pereira

Production Design ... Sammy Aranzamendez, Benjie De Guzman, and Edel Templonuevo

Editing … Danny Gloria

Musical Direction ... Nonong Buencamino

Executive Producer ... Lily Y. Monteverde

NOTES

*** Winner of one major MMFF Awards: Best Child Performer (Tom Taus Jr.).

*** Maligno and impakto are Tagalog words generally used to refer to evil spirits and creatures. Anino means shadow.

Wanted: Perfect Father 

Production Company: Star Cinema

MAIN CAST

Dolphy ... Roy

Edu Manzano ... Eddie Ma. Niyak

Babalu ... Bobby

Dawn Zulueta ... Lily

Jeffrey Quizon ... Jeffrey

Rochelle Barrameda ... Lynn

Sarah Jane Abad ... Mica

Tom Taus Jr. ... Timmy

SELECTED CREW

Direction ... Efren 'Loging' Jarlego

Screenplay ... Loida Viriña

Cinematography ... Oscar Quirejero

Production Design ... Randy Gamier

Editing … Edgardo 'Boy' Jarlego

Musical Direction ... Mon Del Rosario

Executive Producers ... Charo Santos-Concio

NOTES

*** This movie marks Dolphy's second MMFF entry in the 1990s. The other entries are Espadang Patpat (Tagalog: Stick Sword) in 1990, Father and Son in 1995 and Aringkingking in 1996.

*** Sarah Jane Abad won the Best Child Performer award in the previous year's MMFF.

Movies That Mark 30th Year in December 2024

At least six Filipino movies were released in theaters in December 1994, right before the 20th Metro Manila Film Festival. At present, some of these movies can be viewed on YouTube, while others are occasionally aired on free television. An upcoming post is about the six entries to the 20th Metro Manila Film Festival.

Syempre, Ikaw Lang: Ang Syota Kong Imported 
Oo Na, Sige Na: Matigil Ka Na Lang!
Machete II
Paano Na Sa Mundo ni Janet?
Boy Timbog
Silang Matatapang: Walang Atras Sa Laban!

Details of each mentioned title follow.

Syempre, Ikaw Lang: Ang Syota Kong Imported (Tagalog: Of Course, Just You: My Imported Girlfriend)

Original Release Date: December 07, 1994

Production Company: OctoArts Films

MAIN CAST

Anjo Yllana ... Pepito

Michelle Van Eimeren ... Soraya

Michael V. ... Kevin

Lailani Navarro ... Nanette

Aileen Angeles ... Gretchen

SELECTED CREW

Direction, Story and Screenplay ... Mike Relon Makiling

Cinematography ... Ben Lobo

Production Design ... Raymond Bajarias

Editing    ...    Rudy Tabotabo

Musical Direction    ...    Jessie Lasaten

Executive Producer ... Orly Ilacad

NOTES

*** Anjo Yllana plays the role of a bellboy named Pepito. A sitcom titled Pepito Manaloto, topbilled by Michael V., made its TV more than 15 years later.
*** The only one of four movies starring Michelle Van Eimeren that does not include Ogie Alcasid in the main cast.  

Oo Na, Sige Na: Matigil Ka Na Lang! (Tagalog: Okay, It's Fine: So You Will Just Stop!)

Original Release Date: December 07, 1994

Production Company: Viva Films

MAIN CAST

Robin Padilla ... Bonggoy

Ana Roces ... Shirley

Tonton Gutierrez ... Ernie

Eddie Rodriguez ... Don Perfecto

Amado Cortez ... Uncle of Bonggoy

Niño Muhlach ... Jimbo

Amy Perez ... Nina Bermudez

Roi Vinzon ... Lt. Ramirez

SELECTED CREW

Direction    ...    Ricardo 'Bebong' Osorio

Story and Screenplay … Maning Borlaza

Cinematography ... Joe Batac

Production Design ... Judy Lou De Pio

Editing … Rene Tala

Musical Direction ... Armando Ferrer

Executive Producer ... Vic Del Rosario

NOTE

*** The other 1994 movie in which Robin Padilla and Ana Roces collaborated.

Machete II

Original Release Date: December 14, 1994

Production Company: Seiko Films

MAIN CAST

Gardo Versoza ... David

Rosanna Roces ... Margarita

Snooky Serna ... Lai

Abby Viduya ... [information to be provided upon availability]

Harvey Gomez ... [information to be provided upon availability]

SELECTED CREW

Direction, Story, and Screenplay ... Mauro Gia Samonte

Cinematography ... Joe Batac

Production Design ... Raymond Bajarias

Editing … Ferren Salumbides

Musical Direction ... Benny Medina

Executive Producer ... Robbie Tan

NOTES

*** Blurb on Newspaper Advertisement: "At Long Last, MACHETE II will be shown. NO HUSTLE! NO BAN! NO CUTS! See this Film in its Beautiful Entirety. The Film Contains Nudity and Some Delicate Scenes Suitable for Adults Only. 
*** Warning: PARENTS ARE ADVISED NOT TO LET THEIR MINOR CHILDREN VIEW THIS FILM WHICH WAS APPROVED WITHOUT CUTS BY MTRCB."

Paano Na sa Mundo ni Janet? (Tagalog: How Would It Be in Janet's World?)

Original Release Date: December 14, 1994

Production Company: Good Harvest Productions

 

MAIN CAST

Sheryl Cruz ... Janet

Christopher De Leon ... Gaston

Alma Moreno … Gilda

Zoren Legaspi … [information to be provided upon availability]

Aiza Seguerra ... Jing-Jing 

SELECTED CREW

Direction, Story and Screenplay ... Jose N. Carreon

Cinematography ... Felizardo Bailen

Production Design ... Boyet Ocampo

Editing … Rogelio Salvador

Musical Direction ... Nonong Buencamino

Executive Producer ... Joey Gosiengfiao

Boy Timbog

Original Release Date: December 15, 1994

Production Company: Pioneer Films

MAIN CAST

Reb Belleza ... Boy Timbog

Tony Ferrer ... [information to be provided upon availability]

Mutya Crisostomo ... [information to be provided upon availability]

Jobelle Salvador ... [information to be provided upon availability]

Jorge Estregan ... [information to be provided upon availability]

Rex Lapid ... [information to be provided upon availability]

Philip Gamboa ... [information to be provided upon availability]

Conrad Poe     ... [information to be provided upon availability]

SELECTED CREW

Direction     ... Esmeraldo 'Bing' Santos

Story and Screenplay ... Radosa

Cinematography ... Romulo Araojo

Production Design ... [information to be provided upon availability]

Editing … Samuel Domondon

Musical Direction    ...    Joey Elvinia

Executive Producer ... Wilson Yuloque

NOTES

*** Timbog is a Tagalog slang term that means arrested, captured or caught.

*** Cast members Tony Ferrer and Mutya Crisostomo are father and daughter in real life.

Silang Matatapang: Walang Atras Sa Laban! (Tagalog:  They Who Are All Brave: No Retreat in Fighting)

Original Release Date: December 17, 1994

Production Companies: ATB-4 Films International

MAIN CAST

Raymond Bagatsing … [information to be provided upon availability]

Shirley Fuentes … [information to be provided upon availability]

Carol Dauden … [information to be provided upon availability]

Lanirose Oteyza … [information to be provided upon availability]

Jennifer Dimla … [information to be provided upon availability]

Cheryl Gorospe … [information to be provided upon availability]

SELECTED CREW

Direction    ... Robert Talvy

Story and Screenplay ... Jerry O. Tirazona

Cinematography ... Felizardo Anastacio

Production Design ... Ver Lang

Editing … Nap Montebon

Musical Direction ... Demet Velasquez

Executive Producers ... Erlinda T. Burayag, Anna Theresa and Leona S. Tolentino

NOTE

*** Aside from the 1992 film Turing Gesmundo: Kapitan Langgam (Tagalog: Captain Ant), this is the other known directorial effort by character actor Robert Talby.