AN ALUMNUS of the Far Eastern University bagged the best actor award at the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival for his performance in “Gomburza.”

Paul Cedrick Juan, a communications major, portrayed Jose Burgos in the historical drama film based on the lives of Catholic priests Mariano Gomes, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora during Spanish colonial times.

The award was given during the MMFF 2023 Gabi ng Parangal at the New Frontier Theater on Wednesday night.

The film also bagged other six awards:

• 2nd Best Picture
• Best Director for Pepe Diokno
• Best Cinematography
• Best Production Design
• Best Sound
• Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award

The jurors for the film festival were headed by chairperson Chito Roño, a respected director.

Also among the jurors were actress Lorna Tolentino, writer-director Jose Javier Reyes, Mike Sandejas, Undersecretary Frisco San Juan Jr., Finance Undersecretary Maria Lualhati Dorotan-Tiuseco, Raymond Francisco, Jaime Ang, Lee Briones Meily, Tara Illenberger, and editor Jerry Olea.