Ara Mina Speaks Out: The Truth Behind Cristine Reyes Leaving MMFF 2024 Awards Night in Tears
Ara Mina has come forward to defend her sister, Cristine Reyes, amid circulating rumors about her abrupt exit from the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Gabi ng Parangal held on December 27 at Solaire Resort in Parañaque City.
Social media was abuzz with speculation that Cristine left the event in tears after failing to win an award. Cristine is part of the ensemble cast of The Kingdom, starring Vic Sotto and Piolo Pascual.
Photos shared online showed Cristine looking distraught as she exited the venue shortly after presenting the Best Supporting Actor award alongside Sue Ramirez and Yul Servo.
One viral post even captioned, “CRISTINE REYES EMBARRASSED AND CRYING AFTER LOSING AT MMFF 2024 AWARDS NIGHT.”
The Truth Behind the Tears
In an exclusive statement to PEP.ph, Ara Mina clarified the situation, revealing the real reason behind Cristine’s hasty departure.
Ara disclosed that their mother, Venus Imperial, suffered a mild stroke that night and had to be rushed to the hospital.
“She left the awards night quickly and was in tears because our mom was taken to the hospital, not because she didn’t win or was embarrassed,” Ara explained.
Visibly upset over the false reports, Ara expressed her disappointment, saying, “I just saw this, and I felt bad about these kinds of news. They don’t know the real story.”
Ara also called on netizens to verify information before believing or spreading it, emphasizing the importance of legitimate news sources.
MMFF 2024 Winners
While Cristine’s departure became a hot topic, the awards night celebrated the industry’s best talents and productions.
Best Actress: Judy Ann Santos (Espantaho)
Best Actor: Dennis Trillo (Green Bones)
Best Supporting Actor: Ruru Madrid (Green Bones)
Best Supporting Actress: Kakki Teodoro (Isang Himala)
Best Picture: Green Bones
Best Director: Crisanto Aquino (My Future You) and Michael Tuviera (The Kingdom)
Green Bones dominated the awards night with accolades for Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and more.
As for The Kingdom, where Cristine played a significant role, it secured the second spot for Best Picture, along with awards for Best Visual Effects and Best Production Design.
Ara Mina’s heartfelt defense of her sister serves as a reminder to prioritize empathy and truth in an era of misinformation.
