GomBurZa wins seven awards at the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival

Dec 29, 2023

GomBurZa, a historical drama about the three Filipino priests executed during the Spanish colonial period, won seven awards -- the biggest medal haul at the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival Gabi ng Parangal held at the New Frontier in Quezon City.

Co-produced by the Jesuit Communications Foundation and MQuest Ventures, the film secured the Second Best Picture award.  Multi-awarded filmmaker Pepe Diokno was named Best Director, while Cedrick Juan won the Best Actor award.  GomBurZa also won the awards for Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Sound, and the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award.  
 
"This year's film festival was a landmark return of Philippine cinema," said MediaQuest Holdings Chairman Manuel V.  Pangilinan.  "With so many great films to choose from, I am pleased that the MMFF has given GomBurZa such shining recognition.  Hearty congratulations go to Jescom, and all the hard-working artists and crew who collaborated to produce this pathbreaking film – a tribute to Filipino patriotism and cinematic craft."

"GomBurZa highlights MediaQuest's vision for cinema," said MQuest Ventures President and CEO Jane Basas.  "We want to produce films that not only entertain but also contribute to nation-building by helping enrich people's appreciation of Philippine history and culture."

The execution of Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora by Spanish colonial authorities in 1872 is seen as a pivotal event that defined the Filipino identity and paved the way for the Philippine Revolution of 1896.

GomBurZa is screening in theaters nationwide.