By Eric Borromeo
Mamay: A Journey to Greatness emerged as one of the biggest winners at the 73rd Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) Awards, held on August 22, 2025. The film, which tells the life story of Nunungan, Lanao del Norte Mayor Marcos Mamay, garnered seven trophies including Best Supporting Actor for Jeric Raval, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Musical Score, and Best Original Song for Hamon.
Mamay himself was honored with the FAMAS Presidential Award and the Producer of the Year Award for Mamay Productions, completing a triumphant evening for the film.
“Being nominated was already an honor considering that this is FAMAS. Pero iba pala talaga ang makahawak ng trophy nila. Hindi lang literal na mabigat, it’s now also a heavy responsibility on our part, as a producer to keep making relevant films. Modesty aside, we just want to inspire when we made Mamay. Now winning in FAMAS, I can say, we made a very good decision,” said Mamay.
Director Neal Tan also expressed gratitude for the recognition: “This is more than just a film. It is proof that regional stories can stand side by side with mainstream productions. Mamay’s story is not only about one man’s journey, but also about resilience, faith, and the spirit of Mindanao.”
The success of Mamay at this year’s FAMAS underscores a significant moment for regional cinema, proving that local stories from Mindanao can capture national attention and acclaim.
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