Yuna Tangog, 6, was named the Best Child Performer of the Metro Manila Film Festival 2019 on December 27, 2019. Hosted by Marco Gumabao and Bella Padilla, the Gabi ng Parangal (Awards Night) took place at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines.

Among the MMFF 2019 jury members were Vilma Santos-Recto, Jose Javier Reyes, Christopher de Leon, Belinda Enriquez, Corazon Bautista Cruz, Romeo Vitug, Dionisio “Nonong” Buencamino and Larry Faraon. Santos-Recto, Reyes, de Leon, Vitug and Buencamino were also among the Hall of Fame awardees.

“Miracle in Cell No. 7” star Xia Vigor and “Sunod” star Rhed Bustamante were also nominated as Best Child Performer but lost to Tangog. Andrea del Rosario and Caleb Santos presented the award to the “Mindanao” actress.

Tangog plays the daughter of the characters played by Allen Dizon, 41, and Judy Ann Santos, 41, in “Mindanao,” which was directed by Brillante Mendoza, 59. The film was named the Best Picture of the MMFF 2019, besting seven other official entries in the 45th edition of the annual Filipino film festival.

“Mindanao” was filmed in 2017. This means Tangog was only 3 years old when she played the role.

Written by Honee Alipio with  Armando “Bing” Lao as the creative consultant, “Mindanao” had the most nominations at the MMFF 2019. Among its awards were Best Float, the Gender Sensitivity Award, the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award, the Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award and Best Sound.

Dizon’s character Malang Datupalo is a Muslim combat medic while Santos plays the wife Saima Datupalo. They won Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively.

Tangog plays Malang and Saima’s cancer-stricken daughter named Aisa Datupalo. While Malang is in an offensive operation in Maguindanao, Saima takes care of Aisa in a temporary home for children with cancer called the House of Hope in Davao.

Including “Mindanao,” eight MMFF 2019 films were screened across the Philippines starting December 25, 2019 and will be shown until January 7, 2020. Also in the cast are Ruby Ruiz, Vince Rillon, Chai Fonacier, Fe Saligumba, Perry Dizon, Ketchup Eusebio, Epy Quizon, Richard Manabat, Kiko Matos and Jun Nayra.

Executive produced by Mendoza under Center Stage Productions, “Mindanao” features Team App’s animation, Hiroyuki Ishizaka’s sound design and Teresa Barrozo’s music. Here is Tangog weeks prior to the MMFF 2019 Gabi ng Parangal: