Visayan film nabs awards at Cinema One Originals

CEBU, Philippines – On a night full of surprises, Carl Joseph Papa’s animated drama “Manang Biring” emerged as the big winner among the nine feature films in competition at the ninth staging of the annual Cinema One Originals Film Festival.

Shot in live action with real actors and later processed in rotoscope animation, “Manang Biring” took home a total of P400,000 in cash as the winner of Best Film (P300,000) and the special Champion Bughaw Award (P100,000). It also won Best Music for Dinno Christopher Parafina.

Papa’s film is about a terminally ill old woman who was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer. Even as she has accepted her fate, Manang Biring (played by Erlinda Villalobos) is still looking forward to reuniting with her estranged daughter (Mailes Kanapi).

Another surprise winner was Joel Ferrer’s screwball comedy “Baka Siguro Yata,” which took home the festival’s Audience Choice Award and P100,000 cash. It also won Best Actor for newcomer Dino Pastrano in his feature film debut.

As a result of their respective wins, both “Manang Biring” and “Baka Siguro Yata” will have extra screenings on November 17, the last day of the festival.

Ralston Jover’s “Hamog,” a gripping drama about street children, actually won the most awards as it took home the trophies for Special Jury Prize, Best Actress for Therese Malvar, Best Supporting Actor for Bor Lentejas and Best Editing for Charliebebs Gohetia.

With her second Best Actress win in three years, Therese, the young actress formerly known as Teri Malvar, proved that her victory over Nora Aunor in the 2013 Cine Filipino film festival was no fluke.

Among the other honorees at the awarding ceremonies held Sunday at the Dolphy Theater was Bor Ocampo’s “Dayang Asu,” which won Best Director and Best Cinematography for Albert Banzon. Sheron Dayoc’s “Bukod Kang Pinagpala” bagged Best Sound for Albert Banzon and Best Production Design for Harley Alcasid, while Ara Chawdhury’s “Miss Bulalacao” won Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress for Chai Fonacier.

The three other entries in the festival are Sari Dalena’s “Dahling Nick,” Raymond Red’s “Mga Rebeldeng May Kaso” and Ivan Andrew Payawal’s “The Comeback.”

Special recognition was given to pioneering indie directors Raymond Red, Nick Deocampo, Rox Lee, Joey Agbayani and brothers Mike and Johnny Alcazaren. —InterAksyon.com