Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award is an annual event created by the Metro Manila Film Festival in honor of former mayor (gatpuno) Antonio Villegas. It awards lifetime achievement awards to films in the annual film festivals, and that portrays Philippine culture and Filipino people to the world.

History

Antonio Villegas, the Manila mayor during his time, created the Manila Film Festival, the father of the Metro Manila Film Festival and all other Philippine festivals. He appointed Attorney Espiridion Laxa to serve as the Chairman of the film festival which starts on June 14 and culminates on June 24, Manila's birthday. In addition, in an effort to promote Philippine films, Antonio Villegas banned the showing of foreign films at movie houses during the Manila Film Festival from June 14 through June 24. Furthermore, in order to instill national pride and prevent vagrants from sleeping in movie theaters, Villegas started the tradition of playing the national anthem at the beginning of each film showings. Despite criticism from smokers and cigarette manufacturers, Villegas was adamant in banning smoking from movie theaters. In that effort, he delivered his poetic verse which is displayed on movie screens right after the national anthem. It reads: "Hindi po nais namin kayo'ng pigilin, pero ang usok ay masamang hangin." This translates to "Not that we wish to restrain you, but smoke is foul air (stench)."

Most of the first batch of the festival films came up with English titles. The best films of Manila Film Festival included "Daigdig ng mga Api' (1966), "Dahil sa Isang Bulaklak" (1967), "Manila, Open City" (1968), "Patria Adorada" (1969), "Dimasalang" (1970), "Cadena de Amor" (1971), "Elias, Basilio at Sisa" (1972), "Nueva Vizaya" (1973), "Alaala mo Daigdig Ko" (1974). From 1975 to 1990, Manila Film Festival was discontinued as Metro Manila Film Festival took over.

Years after his death in 1984, a special award in the Metro Manila Film Festival bearing his name, the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award, was created in his honor and is given to the best film that best portrays Philippine culture and Filipino people to the world. MRN Film International's Andrea, Paano Ba ang Maging Isang Ina? was the first one to receive the lifetime achievement award in 1990.

Special Award winners

1990s Year Film Production Company(ies)Ref1990 (16th) Andrea, Paano Ba ang Maging Isang Ina?MRN Film International1991 (17th) Juan Tamad at Mister Shooli sa Mongolian Barbeque (The Movie)FLT Film International"Metro Manila Film Festival:1991". IMDB. Retrieved April 9, 2014.1992 (18th) Okay Ka Fairy Ko! Part 2Regal Films and M-Zet Productions"Metro Manila Film Festival:1992". IMDB. Retrieved April 9, 2014.1993 (19th) May MinamahalStar Cinema"Metro Manila Film Festival:1993". IMDB. Retrieved April 9, 2014.1994 (20th) NoneMost of the major awards were not given including the "Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award" category."Metro Manila Film Festival:1994". IMDB. Retrieved April 9, 2014.1995 (21st) Muling Umawit ang PusoVIVA Films"Metro Manila Film Festival:1995". IMDB. Retrieved April 9, 2014.1996 (22nd) Magic TempleStar Cinema"Metro Manila Film Festival:1996". IMDB. Retrieved April 9, 2014.1997 (23rd) Nasaan ang Puso? MAQ Productions Inc"Metro Manila Film Festival:1997". IMDB. Retrieved April 9, 2014.1998 (24th) José RizalGMA Films"Metro Manila Film Festival:1998". IMDB. Retrieved April 9, 2014.1999 (25th) Muro-amiGMA Films"Metro Manila Film Festival:1999". IMDB. Retrieved April 9, 2014.

2000s Year Film Production Company(ies)Ref2000 (26th) Tanging YamanStar Cinema"Metro Manila Film Festival:2000". IMDB. Retrieved April 9, 2014.2001 (27th) Bagong BuwanStar Cinema"Metro Manila Film Festival:2001". IMDB. Retrieved April 9, 2014.2002 (28th) Mano PoRegal Films"Metro Manila Film Festival:2002". IMDB. Retrieved April 9, 2014.2003 (29th) FilipinasVIVA Films"Metro Manila Film Festival:2003". IMDB. Retrieved April 9, 2014.2004 (30th) Panaghoy sa Suba CM Films Inc."Metro Manila Film Festival:2004". IMDB. Retrieved April 9, 2014.2005 (31st) KutobCanary Films"Metro Manila Film Festival:2005". IMDB. Retrieved April 9, 2014.2006 (32nd) Kasal, Kasali, KasaloStar Cinema"Metro Manila Film Festival:2006". IMDB. Retrieved April 9, 2014.2007 (33rd) Bahay Kubo: A Pinoy Mano Po! Regal Films"Metro Manila Film Festival:2007". IMDB. Retrieved April 9, 2014.Katas ng SaudiMaverick Films2008 (34th) BalerVIVA Films"Metro Manila Film Festival:2008". IMDB. Retrieved April 9, 2014.2009 (35th) Mano Po 6: A Mother's Love Regal Entertainment"Metro Manila Film Festival:2009". IMDB. Retrieved April 9, 2014.

2010s Year Film Production Company(ies)Ref2010 (36th) Rosario Cinemabuhay and Studio52011 (37th) Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga StoryVIVA Communications Inc. and Scenema Concept International"Metro Manila Film Festival:2011". IMDB. Retrieved April 9, 2014.2012 (38th) Thy Womb Centerstage Productions"Metro Manila Film Festival:2012". IMDB. Retrieved April 9, 2014.2013 (39th) 10,000 Hours Viva Pictures"Metro Manila Film Festival:2013". IMDB. Retrieved April 9, 2014.2014 (40th) Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo Philippians Productions, Tuko Film Productions, Buchi Boy Productions, and RCP Productions"Metro Manila Film Festival:2014". Rappler. Retrieved December 28, 2014.2015 (41st) My Bebe Love: #KiligPaMoreOctoArts Films, M - Zet Productions, APT Entertainment, GMA Films, and MEDA Productions2016 (42nd) Sunday Beauty QueenVoyage Studios2017 (43rd) Ang LarawanCulturtain Musicat Productions2018 (44th) Rainbow's SunsetHeaven's Best Entertainment2019 (45th) Mindanao Center Stage Production and Solar Pictures

2020s Year Film Production Company(ies)Ref2020 (46th) Suarez: The Healing Priest Saranggola Media Productions2021 (47th) Kun Maupay Man it PanahonGlobe Studios, Black Sheep Productions and Dreamscape Entertainment2022 (48th) Family MattersCineko Productions, Inc. 2023 (49th) GomBurZaJesuit Communications Foundation, MQuest Ventures, and CMB Film Services 2024 (50th) The KingdomAPT Entertainment, MQuest Ventures, and M - Zet Productions2025(51st)Manila's FinestCignal TV and MQuest Ventures

Notes

References

External links IMDB: Metro Manila Film Festival Official website of the Metro Manila Film Festival