Vice Ganda received the prestigious Special Jury Citation during the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2024 Gabi ng Parangal, held on December 27 at the Solaire Grand Ballroom in Parañaque City.
The recognition was for his performance in the film ‘And the Breadwinner Is…’, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Jun Lana.
The comedian, known for his quick wit, turned the moment into a mix of humor and sincerity. Initially joking about the award’s purpose, he quipped, “Special Jury Citation for what? For best-dressed of the night? Special Jury Citation for Best Performance? Ganun ba ‘yun? Ah, okay. So, salamat po,” before expressing his heartfelt gratitude.
“I have long been waiting for this—at last, I am seen. With this movie, with this project, I am finally seen. Maraming salamat sa Metro Manila Film Festival at kinikilala niyo ako at ang kakayahan ko—isang baklang performer,” Vice Ganda shared during his acceptance speech.
Vice Ganda is no stranger to MMFF success. His festival debut in 2012 with ‘Sisterakas’, alongside Kris Aquino and Aiai delas Alas, broke box office records. He followed this with a string of crowd-favorites, including: ‘Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy’ (2013), ‘The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin’ (2014), ‘Beauty and the Bestie’ (2015), ‘Gandarrapiddo: The Revenger Squad’ (2017), ‘Fantastica’ (2018), ‘The Mall, The Merrier’ (2019). After a brief hiatus due to the pandemic, Vice made a comeback in 2022 with ‘Partners in Crime’ and now in 2024 with ‘And the Breadwinner Is….’
teary eyed me during Vice Ganda mentioning Maris Racal to share with the award she got for #AndTheBreadwinnerIs the girl really has talent you can’t deny that pic.twitter.com/NjNePtCTkr
— nard (@lagascajohn23) December 27, 2024
‘And the Breadwinner Is…’ not only showcased Vice Ganda’s comedic talents but also highlighted his versatility as a performer. The film, which offers a fresh take on comedy, received the Gender Sensitivity Award, cementing its significance in promoting inclusivity and progressive narratives.
Vice emphasized that the film offers a “different kind of comedy” under the direction of Jun Lana, making it a standout entry in this year’s MMFF.
The 2024 MMFF celebrates its 50th year with the theme ‘Sinesigla sa Singkwenta’, honoring five decades of Filipino cinematic excellence. Organized by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the festival runs from December 25, 2024, to January 7, 2025.
