MIFF to honor Vilma Santos, Tia Carrere and more at Hollywood event
Vilma Santos and Tia Carrere are among the MIFF 2025 awardees. FILE PHOTOS
LOS ANGELES – Vilma Santos, Ricky Lee, Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo, the late Lily Monteverde, Tia Carrere and Nico Santos are among the awardees to be feted by the second Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) during its star-studded dinner tribute at the International Ballroom of The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills on March 7.
First responders who battled the recent Southern California wildfires will also be honored at the event, “A Tribute to Our First Responders,” capping this year’s MIFF, which is sponsored by BingoPlus and Megaworld.
The festival’s screenings will run from March 4 to 7 at the TCL Theatres in Hollywood.
MIFF is also proud to announce two films added to this year’s screening slate, Real Florido’s romance “Everything About My Wife,” starring Dennis Trillo, Jennylyn Mercado and Sam Milby, and Christian Acuña’s action-adventure-fantasy “Magikland,” starring Miggs Cuaderno, Princess Aliyah and Elijah Alejo.
To receive Lifetime Achievement Awards in recognition of their exemplary contributions to Philippine cinema are Vilma Santos, Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo, the Philippines’ National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee and the late Lily Monteverde, popularly known as Mother Lily.
Vilma Santos / FILE PHOTO
Ricky Lee and Lily Monteverde / CONTRIBUTED
Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo / CONTRIBUTED
Actors Tia Carrere and Nico Santos will receive the Trailblazer Awards for helping break the glass ceiling in Hollywood for actors of color.
Tia Carrere / FILE PHOTO
Nico Santos / CONTRIBUTED
MIFF will pay tribute to veteran actress Gloria Romero, known as the Queen of Philippine cinema, who passed away in January.
MIFF goers will vote on audience awards for best picture, best director, best actor, best actress, best supporting actor and best supporting actress. The talents behind the films being screened will participate in Q&As after each screening. These stars flying in from the Philippines or coming from within the US will also grace the dinner event.
Other awards will be announced at the dinner tribute where new “The Voice” champion Sofronio Vasquez will be the special guest performer.
Sofronio Vasquez / FILE PHOTO
MIFF is offering complimentary tickets to the first responders, frontliners and healthcare professionals to any screenings of their choice, including Regina Aquino’s documentary “Faith Healers,” by filling out this form.
To encourage the youth and families, especially choir members, to watch King Palisoc’s “Song of the Fireflies,” the inspiring drama-musical starring Morissette and Rachel Alejandro on the true story of the Loboc Children’s Choir who rose from a small town in Bohol to worldwide acclaim, MIFF is offering a discount promo code: FIREFLIES25.
To avail of these promo codes and get tickets, including details on screening dates and times, log on to https://manilainternationalfilmfest.com/
A portion of the proceeds from the MIFF events, including its screenings, will be donated to the Los Angeles fire relief efforts. All these events will have a fundraising aspect.
