MANILA – In a night brimming with cinematic splendor and heartfelt tributes, the 41st Star Awards for Movies unfolded like a love letter to Philippine cinema, crowning a dramatic tie for Best Actor between timeless icon Aga Muhlach and powerhouse Dennis Trillo while showering accolades on the gripping horror-thriller Uninvited. Held on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at the Makabagong San Juan Theater in San Juan City in partnership with GSD Studios, the ceremony celebrated the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival entries, blending edge-of-your-seat suspense with soul-stirring performances that left the audience in awe.
The evening’s crown jewel was the unprecedented Best Actor deadlock: Muhlach, 55, for his chilling turn as a haunted patriarch in Uninvited, and Trillo, 43, for his raw embodiment of grief in Green Bones. Trillo, doubling as Male Star of the Night, embodied the night’s electric energy, while Muhlach’s win marked a triumphant return to form for the rom-com legend. Equally luminous was Best Actress Vilma Santos, who swept Female Star of the Night for her fierce matriarch in Uninvited, proving once again why she’s the eternal “Star for All Seasons.”
Uninvited, directed by Dan Villegas (who nabbed Best Director), dominated the night, clinching Best Picture (Movie of the Year) and Best Ensemble Acting, underscoring its grip on the zeitgeist with a tale of familial terror that resonated deeply. “This film isn’t just horror; it’s a mirror to our deepest fears and unbreakable bonds,” Villegas reflected post-win, his words a nod to the movie’s box-office bite and emotional resonance.
The supporting cast shone brightly too: Sunshine Cruz earned Best Supporting Actress for her heartbreaking role in Lola Magdalena, channeling maternal anguish with unflinching grace, while Harvey Bautista took Best Supporting Actor for his poignant portrayal in Pushcart Tales. Other highlights included Lifetime Achievement nods – Nora Aunor Ulirang Artista to Alma Moreno and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Ulirang Alagad ng Pelikula sa Likod ng Kamera to Jesse Ejercito, and Ethel Ramos Dean’s Lister to Mercy Lejarde and Crispina Belen – honoring the unsung architects of Pinoy silver screens.
No controversies marred the glamour, but the ties and sweeps sparked whispers of a vintage year for Filipino film, where horror met heart in unexpected harmony. As confetti fell and stars mingled, the 41st Star Awards reminded us: In Philippine cinema, the spotlight isn’t just on talent – it’s on the timeless tales that bind us.
Major Category Winners:
- Best Picture: Uninvited
- Best Actor (Tie): Aga Muhlach (Uninvited), Dennis Trillo (Green Bones)
- Best Actress: Vilma Santos (Uninvited)
- Best Director: Dan Villegas (Uninvited)
- Best Supporting Actress: Sunshine Cruz (Lola Magdalena)
- Best Supporting Actor: Harvey Bautista (Pushcart Tales)
- Best Ensemble Acting: Uninvited