Vilma Santos, Dennis Trillo, Aga Muhlach win big at the 41st PMPC Star Awards for Movies

THE PMPC Star Awards Inc. held its highly anticipated 41st Star Awards for Movies in a spectacular event produced by GSD Studios at the Makabagong San Juan Convention Center (San Juan City) on Sunday, November 30.

As some of the biggest names in Philippine cinema gathered, the evening quickly turned into a coronation for the film Uninvited, which swept the major awards, cementing its status as the year's defining picture.

The night's top honor, Movie of the Year, rightfully went to "Uninvited,' a co-production of Mentorque Productions and Project 8 Projects. The film's director, Dan Villegas, was recognized as Movie Director of the Year, proving his masterful hand in guiding the acclaimed film. The strength of its cast was also celebrated, as "Uninvited" won the Movie Ensemble Acting of the Year.

Leading the charge for "Uninvited" was the legendary Vilma Santos, who took home the coveted Movie Actress of the Year award (her tenth trophy from PMPC Star Awards for Movies), capping off her evening by being hailed as the Female Star of the Night.

In a rare turn, the Movie Actor of the Year award was shared between two titans: Dennis Trillo for "Green Bones" and Aga Muhlach for "Uninvited." Trillo later received the nod as the Male Star of the Night. As Trillo posted in jest, “First time kong nanalo ng Star of the Night sa buong career ko. Feeling ko, artista na ko after 25 years!”

The independent film scene also shone brightly, with "AbeNida" from BG Productions International being named Indie Movie of the Year. Its director, Louie Ignacio, secured the Indie Movie Director of the Year award.

Adding emotional depth to the awards were the supporting cast winners: Sunshine Cruz earned Movie Supporting Actress of the Year for "Lola Magdalena," while young Harvey Bautista was recognized as Movie Supporting Actor of the Year for his role in "Pushcart Tales." New stars were also introduced, with Will Ashley ("Balota") and Kaila Estrada ("Un/Happy For You") being named New Movie Actor and New Movie Actress of the Year, respectively.

The atmosphere was electric as box office heroes Alden Richards and Kathryn Bernardo were crowned Takilya King and Takilya Queen for "Hello Love Again." Meanwhile, the chemistry of Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin was celebrated as they won Movie Loveteam of the Year for "My Future You."

The evening also gave heartfelt tributes to industry veterans who received Lifetime Achievement Awards, including Alma Moreno and Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. (Nora Aunor Ulirang Artista), Jesse Ejercito (Ulirang Alagad ng Pelikula sa Likod ng Kamera), and esteemed press members Mercy Lejarde and Crispina Belen (Ethel Ramos Dean’s Lister).

The 41st PMPC Star Awards for Movies, organized by PMPC Star Awards Inc., and directed by Jorron Lee Monroy, stood as a resounding affirmation of the talent, hard work, and artistry driving Philippine cinema forward.

Here’s the full list of winners:

41st Star Awards for Movies 2025: Official Winners

Major Film Categories

● MOVIE ACTRESS OF THE YEAR — Vilma Santos (Uninvited)

● MOVIE ACTOR OF THE YEAR — Dennis Trillo (Green Bones) and Aga Muhlach (Uninvited)

● MOVIE OF THE YEAR — Uninvited (Mentorque Productions, Project 8 Projects)

● MOVIE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR — Dan Villegas (Uninvited)

● MOVIE SUPPORTING ACTRESS OF THE YEAR — Sunshine Cruz (Lola Magdalena)

● MOVIE SUPPORTING ACTOR OF THE YEAR — Harvey Bautista (Pushcart Tales)

● INDIE MOVIE OF THE YEAR — AbeNida (BG Productions International)

● INDIE MOVIE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR — Louie Ignacio (AbeNida)

● NEW MOVIE ACTOR OF THE YEAR — Will Ashley (Balota)

● NEW MOVIE ACTRESS OF THE YEAR — Kaila Estrada (Un/Happy For You)

● MOVIE CHILD PERFORMER OF THE YEAR — Ryrie Sophia (Mujigae)

● MOVIE ENSEMBLE ACTING OF THE YEAR — Uninvited

Technical Film Categories

● MOVIE SCREENWRITER OF THE YEAR — Ricky Lee, Anj Atienza (Green Bones)

● MOVIE CINEMATOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR — Pao Orendain (Uninvited)

● MOVIE EDITOR OF THE YEAR — Benjamin Tolentino (Green Bones)

● MOVIE MUSICAL SCORER OF THE YEAR — Vincent De Jesus (Isang Himala)

● MOVIE PRODUCTION DESIGNER OF THE YEAR — Mic Tatad King (Uninvited)

● MOVIE SOUND ENGINEER OF THE YEAR — Albert Michael Idioma, Andrea Teresa Idioma (Topakk)

● MOVIE THEME SONG OF THE YEAR — “Ang Himala Ay Nasa Puso” — Isang Himala / Interpreted by Juan Karlos, composed and arranged by Vincent De Jesus

Independent Films Categories

● INDIE MOVIE ENSEMBLE ACTING OF THE YEAR — Her Locket

● INDIE MOVIE SCREENWRITER OF THE YEAR — Dennis Evangelista (Lola Magdalena)

● INDIE MOVIE CINEMATOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR — Dan Villegas (Kono Basho)

● INDIE MOVIE EDITOR OF THE YEAR — Gilbert Obispo (AbeNida)

● INDIE MOVIE MUSICAL SCORER OF THE YEAR — Divino Letada Dayacap (Her Locket)

● INDIE MOVIE PRODUCTION DESIGNER OF THE YEAR — Brillante Mendoza (Moro)

● INDIE MOVIE SOUND ENGINEER OF THE YEAR — Allen Roy Santos (Outside)

● INDIE MOVIE THEME SONG OF THE YEAR — “Hamon” – Mamay: A Journey To Greatness / Interpreted by Gerald Santos, composed and arranged by Vehnee Saturno

Short Film Categories

● SHORT MOVIE OF THE YEAR — Ka Benjie (Puregold CinePanalo, 2minDig Productions)

● SHORT MOVIE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR — Sigrid Andrea Bernardo (May At Nila)

Special Awards

● Takilya King – Alden Richards (Hello Love Again)

● Takilya Queen — Kathryn Bernardo (Hello Love Again)

● MOVIE LOVETEAM OF THE YEAR — Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin (My Future You)

● DARLING OF THE PRESS — Cecille Bravo

● NORA AUNOR ULIRANG ARTISTA Lifetime Achievement Award — Alma Moreno and Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr.

● ULIRANG ALAGAD NG PELIKULA SA LIKOD NG KAMERA Lifetime Achievement Award — Jesse Ejercito

● ETHEL RAMOS DEAN’S LISTER Lifetime Achievement Award – Mercy Lejarde and Crispina Belen

● Male Star of the Night – Dennis Trillo

● Female Star of the Night – Vilma Santos 

Photos by ALLAN SANCON