Metro Manila Film Festival Best Actor winner Senator Bong Revilla credits the advice of Philip Salvador as the reason for his win. The two arch enemies in “Ang Panday” are actually the best of friends in real life.

“He was the one who told me how to attack the role, so here we are now both with awards.”

Salvador won Best Supporting Actor, the same award he won in last year’s MMFF for “Baler.”

“Ang Panday” won a total of seven awards last night at the SMX convention center at the Mall of Asia, including the Best Picture plum and the Best Supporting Actor trophy for Salvador, who won the same award in last year’s MMFF for “Baler.”

The other categories dominated by “Panday” were Best Festival Child Performer – Robert ''Buboy'' Villar; Best Production Design, Richard Somes; Best Visual Effects, Jay Santiago/RIOT; and Best Theme Song, “Tanging Ikaw Lamang” by Ogie Alcasid.

“Mano Po 6: The Love of A Mother” was also a big winner with seven awards: Best Director for Joel Lamangan, Best Actress for Sharon Cuneta, Best Supporting Actress for Heart Evangelista, Best Screenplay for Roy Iglesias, and Outstanding Musical Score for Von De Guzman.

Mano Po 6 also took home the Most Gender Sensitive Film Award and the Gatpuno Antonio Villegas Award which is given to the film that highlights Filipino values best.

Star Cinema’s “I Love You Goodbye” bagged Best Original Screenplay and Best Editing. The film of Gabby Concepcion, Kim Chiu, Angelica Panganiban, and Derek Ramsey came out with the 2nd Best Picture award.

Cuneta was escorted to the podium for her acceptance speech by husband and Senator Francis Pangilinan.

She announced during her speech that they will be adopting a new baby boy.

Cuneta, echoing Revilla’s sentiments, also credited her onscreen rival Zsa Zsa Padilla for the award.

“Why are the most effective kontrabidas your closest friends? This is my first MMFF win and my first Regal film after 31 years in showbiz. Mother Lily should also win an award for her 53 years in showbiz,” she said.

“Si Jin Feng na si Boots Anson Roa ay nanay ko pa sa ‘P.S. I Love You’; siya ang inspirasyon ko. Ang award na ito ay para sa lahat ng ina sa rami ng delubyong sinapit natin. Tayong mga ina ay gagawin lahat para sa ating mga anak. Pumayat man ako o tumaba nandiyan kayo parati,” she said.

Rodolfo “Dolphy” Quizon was given the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his title as “Hari ng Komedya” and his 168 films spanning six decades. His previous awards include dramatic roles and Best Actor awards from Urian and FAMAS.

A posthumous award for film service was also given to Atty. Espiridon Laxa, one of the founders of MMFF.

In between major awards, Lea Salonga performed a stirring version of “Imagine” originally by John Lennon.