Freeman Cebu Entertainment

Winners of the 1st TOFarm Film Festival

STAR CIRCUIT - Ricky L. Calderon - The Freeman

July 22, 2016 | 12:00am

It was a night when the cinematic arts and agriculture were united. In essence, this was the sentiment that prevailed during the first TOFarm Film Festival held Wednesday night at the Rizal Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-la Hotel.

The TOFarm Film Festival Awards Night hosts were Kapuso stars Dingdong Dantes and Carla Abellana.

Jury members tasked to choose the victors were award-winning master director Peque Gallaga, President of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino/Gawad Urian Gigi Javier-Alfonso, cinematographer Odyssey Flores, the most-awarded screenwriter of Philippine Cinema Ricky Lee and Cannes Film Festival 2016 Best Actress Jaclyn Jose.

Performers during the festival included London-based soprano and theater artist Christine Allado, world renowned pianist and CCP President Dean Raul Sunico, the all male vocal group Aleron and the Whiplash Dancers.

Seasoned actors Cherry Pie Picache and Bembol Roco brought home the best actress and best actor trophies for their performance in Poalo Villaluna’s homecoming/road trip drama “Pauwi Na.”

Bembol tied with Aeta Garry Cabalic, the lead star in Zig Dulay’s “Paglipay” for Best Actor.

It was revealed during the awards proper that Cabalic almost did not make it to the awards night. He was personally fetched by ToFarm organizer Dr. Milagros from his village in Mt. Pinatubo, Zambales in a helicopter at that.

Both “Paglipay,” “Pauwi Na” and Maricel Cariaga’s “Pitong Kabang Palay” emerged as the film festival’s major victors.

Winner of Best Picture, “Paglipay” also won People’s Choice, Best Director for Zig Dulay, Best Supporting Actress for first time winner Anna Luna, and Best Cinematography for Albert Banzon.

“Pauwi Na” also won the Special Award for Outstanding Film, Best Story and Best Editing for Paolo Villaluna and Ellen Ramos and Best Production Design for Mao Fadul.

“Pitong Kabang Palay” won 2nd Best Picture, the Special Award for Outstanding Ensemble, Best Supporting Actor for tween actor Micko Laurente, Best Sound for Arnel de Vera, Best Music for Lorenzo Nielsen, and Best Screenplay for Cariaga.

As announced during the awards night, due to insistent public demand, the festival is extended for another week, from July 20 to 26 at SM Megamall Cinema 7.

There will be a second year for ToFarm Film Festival and as of Wednesday night, they announced that they are accepting scripts for submission. There will also be a ToFarm screenwriting contest.

A lot of people were surprised with the win of Aeta actor Garry Cabalic and Arnold Reyes not nabbing a nomination. Instead, it was Inigo, who played his son in the film, who got the nomination instead.

Provincial screenings are slated on August 24 to 30 at SM Angeles Pampanga and SM Cabanatuan; September 14 to 20 at SM Cebu; and October 12 to 18 at SM Davao.

For more information, visit www.tofarm.org or the festival’s Facebook site, TOFARM Film Festival Philippines.

For inquiries, please email: [email protected] or [email protected].

Here is the complete winners list of the ToFarm Film Festival 2016:

• Best Supporting Actor – Micko Laurente, Pitong Kabang Palay

• Best Supporting Actress – Anna Luna, Paglipay

• Best Sound – Arnel de Vera, Pitong Kabang Palay

• Best Music – Lorenzo Nielsen, Pitong Kabang Palay

• Best Production Design – Mao Fadul, Pauwi Na

• Best Editing – Paolo Villaluna and Ellen Ramos, Pauwi Na

• Best Cinematography – Albert Banzon, Paglipay

• Best Screenplay – Maricel Cariaga, Pitong Kabang Palay

• Best Story – Paolo Villaluna and Ellen Ramos, Pauwi Na