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.