Andi takes on ‘Angela Merkado’

The best artists and filmmakers at this year’s Cinema One Originals were honored at the awards night held at the Dolphy Theater, Sunday, November 15.

The award for Best Picture went to “Manang Biring,” directed by Carl Joseph Papa. The film tells the story of a terminally ill woman who, given a few months to live, does everything humanly and inhumanly possible to prolong her life for an unexpected Christmas reunion with her estranged daughter.

The only animated entry in this year’s festival, it also won the Champion Bughaw Awards and Best Music Award for Dinno Christopher Parafina.

“I  just entered ‘Manang Biring’ in Cinema One Originals because I wanted to fulfill our team’s dream to make a full-length animated film,” Carl said. “I am thankful to Cinema One Originals for giving us a chance to make our project. I hope our film will be screened in more cinemas in the Philippines.”

The Special Jury Prize went to “Hamog,” directed by Ralston Jover,  a look at the lives of four street children whose world is about to be turned upside down and inside out. Life begins when innocence ends.

“Hamog” also won the award for Best Editing (Charliebebs Gohetia) and Best Supporting Actor Bon Lantejas.

Young stars Therese Malvar and Bor Lentejas also captured the crowd’s attention at the awards night when they were hailed as the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor of the festival, outshining seasoned actors in their respective categories. The two newcomers from “Hamog” were speechless.

Therese, who is only 15, cried onstage as she accepted her second best actress award in her career. She credited Direk Ralston for her award-winning performance.

“My role in ‘Hamog’ is serious. I’m very thankful to Direk Ralston for his help and mentorship for me to do well,” Therese shared. “I did not expect this at all. I did not even prepare a good speech. I’m just thankful to my management, my parents, and to God.”

The Best Actor trophy went to Dino Pastrano for the movie “Baka Siguro Yata,” directed by Joel Ferrer. It is a rom-com about three couples generations apart, talking about love as they fumble through their awkward romances, hilarity and heartache.

Dino is the son of famed TV director Al Quinn. Dino Pastrano bested Raymond Bagatsing (“Dahling Nick”), Ricky Davao (“Dayang Asu”), Russ Ligtas (“Miss Bulalacao”), and Zaijan Jaranilla (“Hamog”) in winning the Best Actor plum. “Baka Siguro Yata” also won the Audience Choice Award.

The award for Best Screenplay went to “Miss Bulalacao,” an entry from Cebu directed by Ara Chawdhury. It is a story of a drag queen who wished upon a star and embarks on the strangest nine months of his life. She beat Carl Joseph Papa who wrote “Manang Biring” and Joel Ferrer who penned the script of “Baka Siguro Yata.” “Miss Bulalacao” also picked up the award for Best Supporting Actress for Chai Fonacier.

The award for Best Director went to Bor Ocampo for his film “Dayang Asu,” a homage to the domestic action film, tinged with noir-rish anxiety and local color, centering on a father and son caught in the undertow of the shadowy world they live. It also picked up the award for Best Cinematography for Albert Banzon.

“Bukod Kang Pinagpala,” a film by Sheron Dayoc, won the awards for Best Sound (Jess Carlos) and Best Production Design (Harley Alcasid).

Topbilled by Bing Pimentel, “Bukod Kang Pinagpala” talks about how the already strained relationship between a religious fanatic and her young daughter turns horrific as the intrusion of a mysterious figure into their lives puts them both in danger.

The Philippine Cinemas Originals Awards were conferred to Rox Lee, Joey Agbayani, Mike and Johnny Alcazaren, Nick Deocampo, and Raymond Red.

Cinema One Originals is an annual film festival that allows talented Filipino storytellers to showcase their stories through film for 11 years. It is a local independent film festival of Cinema One, one of the cable channels of Creative Programs, Inc., a subsidiary of ABS-CBN.

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Komiks novelist-turned-box-office director Carlo J. Caparas is back on the director’s chair via the remake of “Angela Markado,” one of his famous novels that was made into a movie by Lino Brocka no less. Angela Markado was first portrayed by Hilda Koronel.

Controversial young actress Andi Eigenmann is the lead actress in the remake of “Angela Markado,” which is produced by Oro de Siete Productions and Viva Films.

At the presscon held last week, Direk Carlo said Andi was the perfect choice for the role. “She is a very good actress and she was able to provide what the role demanded of her,” added Direk Carlo.

He said that Andi had many difficult scenes and even if she hurt herself during the rape scene, there was nary a complaint from the actress. “She’s a real professional. She did as she was told and was very good in all her scenes,” the director said. Direk Carlo even added that compared to Hilda’s performance, the daughter of Jaclyn Jose and the late Mark Gil did better.

When asked why he chose to do a remake of “Angela Markado” instead of his other more popular novels, Direk Carlo said the film has a soft spot in his heart. It won in a film festival abroad where Hilda’s acting also drew praises. He also liked how the late National Artist for film translated his novel into the big screen.

Direk Carlo said he added a different flavor to the new version to make it attuned to the times.

Doing a special participation in the movie is PAO Chief Attorney Persida Rueda-Acosta and her daughter Kayla Acosta, who is a PETA actress.

Playing Andi’s rapist are Paolo Contis, Felix Roco, Epi Quizon, Polo Ravales and CJ Caparas. Also in the film are Bugoy Carino, Myka dela Cruz and Buboy Villar. It will have a premiere night on November 30, while its regular showing will start on December 2.