FAMAS Award
Members of the academy including avid movie viewers, fans or enthusiasts cast their votes on who should win the statuettes in the different categories they were nominated.
Within that period, FAMAS alone has awarded the most outstanding performers and craftsmen of Filipino films, from screen legend Rosa Rosal to master director Gerardo de Leon.
The award statuette, which bore the figure of Maria Clara, a character in José Rizal's novel Noli Me Tangere, was sculpted by National Artist for Sculpture Guillermo Tolentino.
Due to the complaints that the Maria Clara Awards were irrelevant because movie writers and not film artisans and filmmakers were the ones voting on the awards, seven writers (Flavio G. Macaso, Vic Generoso, Mario Mijares Lopez, Clemente Roxas, Paulo Dizon, Amado Yasoma and Eddie Infante) established the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences.
In 1960, Sampaguita Pictures and Vera-Perez Productions withdrew their participation from the academy because the agreement between producers on who receives the FAMAS Awards was not followed.
In addition, Sampaguita's mogul, Jose Perez, returned all of the FAMAS Awards that the studio has won so far by placing them on public view in his Vera-Perez Gardens.
FAP created awards which aims to counter FAMAS' which was embroiled back then in vote-buying and campaigning scandals.
On May 6, 2003, due to non-compliance with reportorial requirements, the corporate charter of the FAMAS was revoked by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Nevertheless, Art Padua did not acknowledge the results of the voting, and he considered the elected officers as the "FAMAS breakaway group".
The order was issued because, as presented by Col. Tiu, FAMAS ceased to exist as a registered organization of the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 26, 2003.
The Maria Clara Awards were held on October 13, 2006, in a simple and humble event at Golden Fortune Restaurant in Manila.
The 66th FAMAS Gabi ng Parangal hosted by Piolo Pascual, Kim Chiu and Robi Domingo was held on June 10, 2018, at the Theater at Solaire.
Among the highlights and memorable moments included: Lav Diaz, the internationally renown director for more than two decades, receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Charo Santos, the independent film "Balangiga: Howling Madness" winning Best Picture, the announcement of the First Place Grand Jury Prize for "Tu Pug Imatuy" and the Second Grand Jury Prize for "Respeto;" the introduction of the Best Adapted Screenplay category, won by "Changing Partners".
The 67th FAMAS Gabi ng Parangal was hosted by Xian Lim and was held on April 28, 2019, at the Meralco Theater, Pasig.
This momentous occasion in the film industry called for a special edition FAMAS trophy entitled "Centum Maria".
Moreover, recognition of female icons in the film industry, in line with the worldwide "We Too" movement, such as Lifetime Awardees: Charo Santos-Concio,Laurice Guillen, Marilou Diaz-Abaya.
Other highlights of the awards night were the winners of Best Picture, Gusto Kita With All My Hypothalamus and Special Jury Award Ang Panahon ng halimaw ; Best Documentary Film All Grown Up ; Best Short Film Siyudad sa Bulawan (City of Gold) and Special Jury Award Balai ( Home ) ; Best Director, Dwein Baltazar of Gusto Kita With All My Hypothalamus ; Best Actor Eddie Garcia of ML &Victor Neri of A Short History of A Few Bad Things and Best Actress, Nadine Lustre of Never Not Love You.
[5] The varnished gold-painted wood statuette boasts of a Balintawak-clad woman whose raised hands hold a four-spoke film reel.
[6] The FAMAS' Parangal ng Sining (Awards Night), launched in April 2023, is an annual event that aims to recognize film industry icons and pioneers for their significant contribution to the world of Philippine cinema and local heritage.
