Manila's Finest (2025 film)
| Manila's Finest | |
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Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Raymond Red |
| Written by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Raymond Red |
| Edited by |
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| Music by |
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Production company | |
| Distributed by | Viva Films |
Release date |
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Running time | 119 minutes |
| Country | Philippines |
| Language | Filipino |
| Box office | ₱17 million[1] |
Manila's Finest is a 2025 Philippine period crime thriller film directed and photographed by Raymond Red from a screenplay written by Michiko Yamamoto, Moira Lang, and Sherad Anthony Sanchez.
Produced by Cignal TV, MQuest Ventures and Spring Films, the film was released theatrically on December 25, 2025, as part of the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival.
Premise
Set in 1969, it revolves around a group of police officers in Manila's Police District, its interservice rivalry and eventual integration with the Philippine Constabulary Metropolitan Command (MetroCom) under the pretense of disputed incidents cited as justification for Martial law under Ferdinand Marcos.[2][3]
Cast
Main Cast
- Piolo Pascual as Capt. Homer Magtibay, an experienced police officer in Manila.[4] Pascual researched on life of being a police officer in the 1960s as part of his preparation for the role.[5]
Supporting Cast
- Enrique Gil as 1st Lt. Billy Ojeda, a young police officer who is Magtibay's partner in the profession.[6][7]
- Ashtine Olviga as Agnes Magtibay, Homer's daughter.[8]
- Kiko Estrada as Carmelo de Leon
- Cedrick Juan as Officer Danilo Abad
- Romnick Sarmenta as Supertend Severino Meneses
- Joey Marquez as Officer Regelio Liwanag
- Dylan Menor as Officer Efren Taguyunon
- Ethan David as Cecilio Mendiola
- Soliman Cruz as Stella Javier
- Ariel Rivera as Col. Conrad Belarmino
- Rica Peralejo as Yoly Matibay; Homer's wife and Agnes's mother. This marks Peralejo’s return to acting after a long hiatus.[9][10]
- Rico Blanco as Epifanio Javier
- Jasmine Curtis-Smith as Janette
- Paulo Angeles as Reman
- Inday Fatima as Betty
- Pearl Gonzales as Stella Javier, Epifanio's wife
Production
Manila's Finest was produced under Cignal TV, MQuest Ventures and Spring Films.[4] It was written by Michiko Yamamoto, Moira Lang, and Sherad Anthony Sanchez.[11] The film was submitted as a script for the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival.[12] Rae Red was supposed to direct the film but withdrew before pre-production due to personal reasons. Instead, her uncle Raymond Red took over the role.[13]
Principal photography for the film began in October 2025.[14] It was produced to promote appreciation for the police force.[15]
Release
Manila's Finest was released on December 25, 2025, in cinemas in the Philippines, as one of the official eight entries of the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival.[16]
Accolades
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival | December 27, 2025 | Best Picture | Manila's Finest | 3rd[a] | [17] |
| Best Director | Raymond Red | Nominated | |||
| Best Actor | Piolo Pascual | ||||
| Best Supporting Actor | Cedrick Juan | ||||
| Best Supporting Actress | Ashtine Olviga | ||||
| Best Screenplay | Moira Lang, Sherad Anthony Sanchez and Michiko Yamamoto | ||||
| Best Cinematography | Raymond Red | Won | |||
| Best Production Design | Digo Ricio | Won | |||
| Best Editing | Jay Halili, Noe Paguiligan | Nominated | |||
| Best Sound | Roy Santos | Won | |||
| Best Original Theme Song | "Sandalan" — Vehnee Saturno | Won | |||
| Best Musical Score | Frederik Sandoval, Emerzon Texon | Won | |||
| Best Visual Effects | Eoplus, Inc. | Nominated | |||
| Best Float | Manila's Finest | Won[b] | |||
| Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award | Won |
Notes
- ^ Tied with Call Me Mother.
- ^ Tied with Unmarry.
References
- ^ Ferrer, Noel; Olea, Jerry; Rula, Gorgy (January 6, 2025). "MMFF 2025 Unofficial Box-Office Results as of January 6, 2026". PEP. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
- ^ https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/movies/raymond-red-goes-mainstream-mmff-period-drama-manila-finest-2025/
- ^ https://varsitarian.net/mmff-2025-manilas-finest-frames-corruption-as-a-deeply-embedded-social-ill/
- ^ a b Pagulong, Charmie Joy (September 2, 2025). "'Manila's Finest' marks Piolo Pascual's third straight MMFF project". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
- ^ Abunda, Boy. "Piolo at Rica, 'nagkabalikan'!". Pilipino Star Ngayon. The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
- ^ Marfori, MJ (December 13, 2025). "Why 'Manila's Finest' is a defining event for MMFF and Philippine cinema". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
- ^ "Cedrick Juan, hinay-hinay muna sa pagtanggap ng proyekto" [Cedrick Juan, for now is slowing down on accepting new projects]. PEP.ph (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. December 15, 2025. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
- ^ Pagulong, Charmie Joy (October 15, 2025). "Ashtine Olviga on playing Piolo Pascual's daughter in 'Manila's Finest'". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
- ^ Pagulong, Charmie Joy (October 27, 2025). "Rica Peralejo on reuniting with Piolo Pascual in 'Manila's Finest'". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
- ^ Toff C. (August 26, 2025). "Rica Peralejo to make acting comeback in MMFF entry 'Manila's Finest'". ABS-CBN News. PUSH. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
- ^ Santiago, Erwin (July 8, 2025). "First four official entries to MMFF 2025 announced". PEP.ph (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
- ^ Dela Cruz, Raymond Carl (July 9, 2025). "MMFF reveals first 4 entries for 2025 film festival". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
- ^ "Raymond Red on MMFF period drama 'Manila's Finest,' going mainstream after 43 years". Rappler. December 26, 2025. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
- ^ Red, Raymond (October 8, 2025). "MANILA'S FINEST now filming with Piolo Pascual, Jasmine Curtis, Rica Peralejo, Ashtine Olviga, Enrique Gil". rainmanred. Retrieved October 31, 2025 – via Instagram.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ ‘Manila’s Finest’ starring Piolo Pacual, official entry ng MQuest sa 51st MMFF. Frontline Pilipinas (TV broadcast) (in Filipino). July 9, 2025 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Will, Dustin, at Klarisse naka-score ng tigdadalawang entries sa MMFF 2025" [Will, Dustin, and Klarisse scored two entries each at the MMFF 2025]. PEP.ph (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. October 11, 2025. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
- ^ Requintina, Robert (December 27, 2025). "2025 Metro Manila Film Festival: List of winners at Gabi ng Parangal". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved December 28, 2025.