DerBie praised for professionalism

Director Louie Ignacio has nothing but praise for Derrick Monasterio, the lead actor of his latest movie “Almost A Love Story,” a joint venture of BG Productions International and GMA Films, in cooperation with Salento Films of Italy.

In one pivotal scene in the movie, Direk Louie asked Derrick to remove his shirt and take a dip in the cold waters of the lake in Salento, wearing only his pants. And this was in December of last year which is wintertime, just before Christmas.

“Derrick did as he was told even if it was cold and the scene was not in the script,” said Direk Louie during the grand press conference of “Almost a Love Story” with Barbie Forteza as female lead.

“Derrick was a real trouper and I love him for that. Baka kung ibang aktor ang artista ko, baka sabihin talk to my manager first because that is not in the script. Pero si Derrick did the scene with nary a complaint. Professional talaga.”

Direk Louie adds that the location was so nice and they learned that the place is frequented by Italians during summer to take a swim. So might as well create a scene that Derrick is swimming in the lake.

 He also asked Derrick to swim half-naked. “It was so cold kasi winter pero I did it for the sake of the movie. The scene came out well,” said the Kapuso hunk.

With the scene done without a hitch, Direk Louie gave Derrick a high five and 100 pogi points.

Direk Louie also praised Barbie whom he first worked with in the indie movie “Laut” where the Kapuso talent won a Best Actress award at the Fantasforto International Film Festival. Working with her in this love story was also a breeze.

 “She’s no diva on the set. She’s an actress and a very good one at that,” added the director.

 “Almost A Love Story,” distributed by Regal Entertainment, will have a celebrity premiere at SM Megamall Cinema 7 on April 10 and opens in cinemas nationwide on April 11.

The movie also stars Lotlot de Leon, Matet de Leon and Ana Capri.

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Gawad Tanglaw, a group of teachers and academe-based critics, announced the winners in the film categories.

Emerging as the big winner is the movie “Bomba” written and directed by Ralston Jover. It won five awards, including Best Director plum and Best Screnplay for Ralston, Best Actor for Allen Dizon, Best Story for Ralston and Dennis Evangelista, and the Best Editing award for Jess Navarro.

The Cinemalaya entry “Respeto,” which is the first starring role of the famous rapper Abra, won the Best Picture award, as well as the Best Music trophy for Jay Oliver Durias.

Eula Valdez was named Best Actress for the indie movie “Neo Manila,” which also picked the award for Best Cinematography (tied with Mycko David who also won the Best Cinematography award for “Birdshot”).

Other winners in the acting categories are Shamaine Buencamino (Best Supporting Actress for “Paki”) and underrated indie actor Jess Mendoza (Best Supporting Actor for “Sa Gabing Nanahimik ang mga Kuliglig”).

Also a winner is Eric Cabahug (Best Screenplay for “Deadma Walking”).

 Gawad Tanglaw also bestowed the Presidential Jury Award to Dr. Jaime Gutierrez.

“Bomba,” produced by ATD Entertainment Productions, Heaven’s Best Entertainment and Crowning Glory Equipments, was given the Presidential Jury Award for Film.

Mr. Bembol Roco and Ms. Dexter Doria were given Presidential Jury Awards for Acting Excellence.

“Ang Larawan,” Best Picture winner at the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival, was handed the Presidential Jury Award as Pelikula ng Dekada.

The Gawad Tanglaw Para sa Sining at Siyensa ng Pagtuturo ng Komunikasyon (Pelikula) was given to filmmaker Jose Javier Reyes who teaches at De La Salle University Manila at De La Salle-College of St. Benilde.

The awards night of Gawad Tanglaw will be held sometime in May at the Cinematheque Manila.

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