Philippines dominated the 1st ASEAN International Film Festival as the Cinemalaya entry "Sta. Nina" emerged as the big winner of the night for bagging the award for Best Drama Picture, Best Actress for Alessandra de Rossi and Best Supporting Actress for Anita Linda.

“Santa Nina” also received nominations for best director (Emmanuel Quindo Palo) and best editing.

Coco Martin, who starred in the said movie, wasn’t even nominated for Best Actor. However, it was Jericho Rosales who made it to the category’s short list for his performance in the critically-acclaimed film “Alagwa” but lost to Malaysia’s Shaheizy Sam for “Songlap.”

Jericho’s co-star in “Alagwa,” Kapamilya child wonder Bugoy Carino, won Best Supporting Actor.

Another Cinemalaya entry, “The Kidnappers of Ronnie Lazaro,” was nominated for best picture-comedy but lost to Malaysia’s “Istanbul Aku Datang.”

Hollywood star Michelle Yeoh, who is of Malaysian descent, received the AIFFA first Lifetime Achievement Award.

The 1st ASEAN International Film Festival, which was held in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, from March 28 to 30, 2013, featured more than 100 films from Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Philippines, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, and even as far as USA, India, Russia, and Australia.