Manila's Finest (2025 film)

For other uses, see Manila's Finest.

Manila's Finest
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Raymond Red
Written by	Michiko Yamamoto Moira Lang Sherad Anthony Sanchez
Produced by	Peter Edward G. Dizon Piolo Pascual Erickson Raymundo Jeffrey Vadillo
Starring	Piolo Pascual Enrique Gil
Cinematography	Raymond Red
Edited by	Jay Halili Noe Paguiligan
Music by	Fred Sandoval Emerzon Texon
Production company	Cignal TV MQuest Ventures Spring Films
Distributed by	Viva Films
Release date	December 25, 2025 (2025-12-25)
Running time	119 minutes
Country	Philippines
Language	Filipino

Manila's Finest is a 2025 Philippine period crime thriller film directed and photographed by Raymond Red from a screenplay written by Michiko Yamamoto, Moira Lang, and Sherad Anthony Sanchez.

Produced by Cignal TV, MQuest Ventures and Spring Films, the film was released theatrically on December 25, 2025, as part of the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival.

Premise

Set in 1969, it revolves around a group of police officers in Manila's Police District, its interservice rivalry and eventual integration with the Philippine Constabulary Metropolitan Command (MetroCom) under the pretense of disputed incidents cited as justification for Martial law under Ferdinand Marcos. ^{[1] [2]}

Cast

Main Cast

• Piolo Pascual as Capt. Homer Magtibay, an experienced police officer in Manila. ^[3] Pascual researched on life of being a police officer in the 1960s as part of his preparation for the role. ^[4]
• Enrique Gil as 1st Lt. Billy Ojeda, a young police officer who is Magtibay's partner in the profession. ^{[5] [6]}
• Ashtine Olviga as Agnes Magtibay, Homer's daughter. ^[7]
• Kiko Estrada as Carmelo de Leon
• Cedrick Juan as Officer Danilo Abad
• Romnick Sarmenta as Supertend Severino Meneses
• Joey Marquez as Officer Regelio Liwanag
• Dylan Menor as Officer Efren Taguyunon
• Ethan David as Cecilio Mendiola
• Soliman Cruz
• Ariel Rivera as Col. Conrad Belarmino
• Rica Peralejo as Yoly Matibay; Homer's wife and Agnes's mother. This marks Peralejo’s return to acting after a long hiatus. ^{[8] [9]}
• Rico Blanco as Epifanio Javier
• Jasmine Curtis-Smith as Janette
• Paulo Angeles as Reman
• Inday Fatima as Betty
• Pearl Gonzales as Stella Javier, Epifanio's wife

Production

Manila's Finest was produced under Cignal TV, MQuest Ventures and Spring Films. ^[3] It was written by Michiko Yamamoto, Moira Lang, and Sherad Anthony Sanchez. ^[10] The film was submitted as a script for the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival. ^[11] Rae Red was supposed to direct the film but withdrew before pre-production due to personal reasons. Instead, her uncle Raymond Red took over the role. ^[12]

Principal photography for the film began in October 2025. ^[13] It was produced to promote appreciation for the police force. ^[14]

Release

Manila's Finest was released on December 25, 2025, in cinemas in the Philippines, as one of the official eight entries of the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival. ^[15]

Accolades

Accolades received by Manila's Finest

Award	Date of ceremony	Category	Recipient(s)	Result	Ref.
2025 Metro Manila Film Festival	December 27, 2025	Best Picture	Manila's Finest	3rd [a]	[16]
		Best Director	Raymond Red	Nominated
		Best Actor	Piolo Pascual
		Best Supporting Actor	Cedrick Juan
		Best Supporting Actress	Ashtine Olviga
		Best Screenplay	Moira Lang, Sherad Anthony Sanchez and Michiko Yamamoto
		Best Cinematography	Raymond Red	Won
		Best Production Design	Digo Ricio	Won
		Best Editing	Jay Halili, Noe Paguiligan	Nominated
		Best Sound	Roy Santos	Won
		Best Original Theme Song	"Sandalan" — Vehnee Saturno	Won
		Best Musical Score	Frederik Sandoval, Emerzon Texon	Won
		Best Visual Effects	Eoplus, Inc.	Nominated
		Best Float	Manila's Finest	Won [b]
		Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award		Won

Notes

1. Tied with Call Me Mother .
2. Tied with Unmarry .

References

1. https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/movies/raymond-red-goes-mainstream-mmff-period-drama-manila-finest-2025/
2. https://varsitarian.net/mmff-2025-manilas-finest-frames-corruption-as-a-deeply-embedded-social-ill/
3. Pagulong, Charmie Joy (September 2, 2025). "'Manila's Finest' marks Piolo Pascual's third straight MMFF project". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
4. Abunda, Boy. "Piolo at Rica, 'nagkabalikan'!". Pilipino Star Ngayon. The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
5. Marfori, MJ (December 13, 2025). "Why 'Manila's Finest' is a defining event for MMFF and Philippine cinema". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
6. "Cedrick Juan, hinay-hinay muna sa pagtanggap ng proyekto" [Cedrick Juan, for now is slowing down on accepting new projects]. PEP.ph (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. December 15, 2025. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
7. Pagulong, Charmie Joy (October 15, 2025). "Ashtine Olviga on playing Piolo Pascual's daughter in 'Manila's Finest'". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
8. Pagulong, Charmie Joy (October 27, 2025). "Rica Peralejo on reuniting with Piolo Pascual in 'Manila's Finest'". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
9. Toff C. (August 26, 2025). "Rica Peralejo to make acting comeback in MMFF entry 'Manila's Finest'". ABS-CBN News. PUSH. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
10. Santiago, Erwin (July 8, 2025). "First four official entries to MMFF 2025 announced". PEP.ph (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
11. Dela Cruz, Raymond Carl (July 9, 2025). "MMFF reveals first 4 entries for 2025 film festival". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
12. "Raymond Red on MMFF period drama 'Manila's Finest,' going mainstream after 43 years". Rappler. December 26, 2025. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
13. Red, Raymond (October 8, 2025). "MANILA'S FINEST now filming with Piolo Pascual, Jasmine Curtis, Rica Peralejo, Ashtine Olviga, Enrique Gil". rainmanred. Archived from the original on October 31, 2025. Retrieved October 31, 2025– via Instagram.
14. ‘Manila’s Finest’ starring Piolo Pacual, official entry ng MQuest sa 51st MMFF. Frontline Pilipinas (TV broadcast) (in Filipino). July 9, 2025 – via YouTube.
15. "Will, Dustin, at Klarisse naka-score ng tigdadalawang entries sa MMFF 2025" [Will, Dustin, and Klarisse scored two entries each at the MMFF 2025]. PEP.ph (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. October 11, 2025. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
16. Requintina, Robert (December 27, 2025). "2025 Metro Manila Film Festival: List of winners at Gabi ng Parangal". Manila Bulletin . Retrieved December 28, 2025.