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MMFF Celebrates Its 50th Year With a Coffee Table Book, Inducts Hall of Famers

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Lance Joseph Martinez

<p>Marking a milestone celebration, the <strong><em>Metro Manila Film Festival</em> </strong>ushered in its golden era with the launch of its official coffee table book, <strong><em>50 Years of the Metro Manila Film Festival.</em></strong> The commemorative release pays tribute to five decades of Filipino cinematic excellence and honors the people whose creativity and artistry have shaped the festival throughout the years.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757915806213Metro.Style MMFF 1.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false">ABS-CBN Publishing’s Mark Yambot turns over the “50 Years of the Metro Manila Film Festival” book to MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes. (Photo from MMDA)</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>The coffee table book was formally turned over by its publisher, <strong>ABS-CBN Publishing</strong>, to the <strong>Metropolitan Manila Development Authority</strong> and MMFF officials during the <strong>Manila International Book Fair</strong> last September 11.</p><p>For MMDA and MMFF Chairman <strong>Atty. Don Artes</strong>, the project is a testament to the legacy of Philippine cinema.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.facebook.com%2Fmmffofficial%2Fvideos%2F637415475801285%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=267&amp;t=0" width="267" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><p>“<em>Ang</em> MMFF coffee table book <em>ay isang paraan upang balikan at ipagdiwang ang ating kasaysayan</em>. <em>Makikita rito ang mga larawan at kwento ng mahahalagang sandali at tagumpay n</em><em>g</em> MMFF,” he emphasized.</p><p>He further expressed his hopes that the book will serve as both a reminder and an inspiration for future generations of filmmakers and audiences alike.</p><p>“<em>Isa itong alaala ng nakaraan at inspirasyon para sa hinaharap ng ating pelikulang Pilipino. Sana’y magsilbi itong paalala kung gaano kahalaga ang bawat pelikula</em>, <em>bawat kwento</em>, <em>at bawat taong nagbigay buhay sa ating industriya</em>,” he added.</p><p>The night also became a celebration of artistry as the MMFF paid tribute to its roster of <strong>Hall of Famers</strong>, who were each presented with their own copy of the book.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757915947057Metro.Style MMFF 2.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">The Hall of Famers pose with MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes and other executive members. <br/>(Photo from MMDA)</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Among those honored were National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts <strong>Ricky Lee</strong>, screenwriter and director <strong>Jose Javier Reyes</strong>, director <strong>Joel Lamangan</strong>, screenwriter <strong>Roy Iglesias</strong>, cinematographer<strong> Lee Meily</strong>, editor-producer <strong>Manet Dayrit</strong>, and the late National Artist for Film <strong>Nora Aunor</strong>, with her daughter <strong>Lotlot de Leon </strong>receiving the award on her behalf.</p><p>Despite her busy schedule in Tagaytay, Lotlot made sure to personally attend the event, speaking fondly of her mother’s legacy.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757916000155548200636_1087407516889643_8985473166017744428_n.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">The daughter of the late Nora Aunor, Lotlot De Leon, accepts the book on behalf of her mother. (Photo from MMDA)</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>“It’s an honor to be here among all the greats in our industry, <em>maraming maraming salamat sa</em> MMFF… <em>Maraming salamat po sa pagpupugay</em>, once again, <em>sa aking ina na si </em>Nora Aunor. <em>At sa lahat po ng nagmamahal sa kanya</em>,<em> at hanggang ngayon ay pinagaaralan ang kanyang sining</em>, <em>nawa’y maging inspirasyon po sa lahat ang naging buhay at trabaho ng aking ina</em>,” she said.</p><p>This year’s celebration also welcomed new inductees to the Hall of Fame. Production designer <strong>Ericson Navarro</strong> and award-winning actress <strong>Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo</strong> joined the distinguished roster.</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOkTKdlCTnu/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A2851%2C%22ls%22%3A2674%2C%22le%22%3A2742%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="857" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Now the youngest star to achieve this recognition, Judy Ann secured her Hall of Fame status after winning three Best Actress awards at the MMFF for <em>Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo </em>(2006), <em>Mindanao</em> (2019), and most recently, <em>Espantaho</em> (2024).</p><p>“<em>Napakarami kong magagandang</em> experiences<em> sa lahat ng mga taon na sumali ako sa</em> MMFF <em>mula dalaga pa ako.</em> <em>Hindi ko naisip kailanman na makakarating ako sa puntong magiging </em>Hall of Famer <em>ako</em>—<em>ay</em>, <em>nakakaloka &#x27;to</em>,” Judy Ann said in her acceptance speech as she received her copy of the book.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.facebook.com%2Fericson.navarro%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02vWwnPR26rVsUnpcr7T18mK2tn1uMnNZH7xbYUWvgQWrrGtaR1SzqEGvaRrSig1rAl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="250" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>Meanwhile, Ericson wrote in a Facebook post on Friday, &quot;<em>Ang</em> recognition <em>na ito ay magiging inspirasyon ko na mas bumuo pa ng mga pelikulang hindi lamang para sa pang sariling </em>interest, <em>hindi lamang para makatulong sa industriya</em>, <em>kung hindi magamit ko ang bawat kulay at hugis ng pagdidisenyo para makabuo ng mas magandang Pilipinas sa paraan na alam at kaya ko</em>.&quot;</p><p>Another Hall of Famer, Jose Javier Reyes, also reflected on the significance of the book and its role in preserving the festival’s history.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757916120015548682275_1087407153556346_6174742747151821539_n.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">MMFF Hall of Famer, director and screenwriter Jose Javier Reyes, delivers a message as he receives a copy of the MMFF coffee table book. (Photo from MMDA)</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><p style="text-align:left">“Well, it&#x27;s very important. This book, for me, is important mainly because it is an artifact. It gives us a sense of perspective and the timeline of the Metro Manila Film Festival. And thereby showing its significance in the development not only of Philippine cinema, but also of Philippine popular culture,” he revealed.</p><p style="text-align:left">He went on to share how being part of history has given him both pride and humility.</p><p style="text-align:left">“I am very honored and at the same time humbled, and I&#x27;ve come to realize the importance of knowing history and the importance of being part of history, but more so in looking at the future using references from the past,” he concluded.</p><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><p style="text-align:left">Photos from <strong>MMDA</strong></p>

<p>Marking a milestone celebration, the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) celebrates its golden year with the launch of its official coffee table book, “50 Years of the Metro Manila Film Festival.” </p>

Marking a milestone celebration, the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) celebrates its golden year with the launch of its official coffee table book, “50 Years of the Metro Manila Film Festival.”

From Screen to Pages: MMFF Celebrates Golden Year with Book Launch, Inducts New Hall of Famers

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From Screen to Pages: MMFF Celebrates Golden Year with Book Launch, Inducts New Hall of Famers

Lance Joseph Martinez

Published September 15, 2025 08:30 PM PHT

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Updated September 15, 2025 09:07 PM PHT

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Judy Ann Santos

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Jose Javier Reyes

Nora Aunor

Ricky Lee

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Ericson Navarro

Joel Lamangan

Roy Iglesias

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