GMA Films and Imus Productions’ Ang Panday was named Best Picture in the recently concluded Metro Manila Film festival 2009 Gabi ng Parangal held earlier tonight, December 28, at the SMX of Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

Ang Panday won a total of seven awards: Best Actor for Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Best Supporting Actor for Phillip Salvador, Best Child Performer for Robert “Buboy” Villar, Best Visual Effects, Best Production Design, and Best Theme Song.

Mano Po 6: A Mother’s Love won three major awards: Best Actress for lead star Sharon Cuneta, Best Director for Joel Lamangan, and Best Supporting Actress for Heart Evangelista. Sharon and Heart played mother and daughter in the film.

Taking runners-up honors for Best Festival Picture are I Love You, Goodbye (2nd Best Picture), and Ang Darling Kong Aswang (3rd Best Picture). Mano Po 6 was chosen as this year’s recipient of the Gatpuno Villegas Cultural Award.

The winners for Best Picture are determined on the basis of artistic merit and box-office performance.

-pep