John Lloyd Cruz laments 'Honor Thy Father' DQ in House hearing
MANILA, Philippines – Amid his busy schedule, actor and co-producer of controversial Metro Manila Film Fest entry “Honor thy Father,” John Lloyd Cruz, appeared before the House of Representatives and appealed for fairness in the hearing about his film's disqualification from the film festival's Best Picture race.
John Lloyd attended the second day of the probe and broke his silence regarding the issue. Movie director Erik Matti, producer Ronald “Dondon” Stephen Monteverde of Reality Entertainment, actor and Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez, were also present at the hearing.
The actor clarified that his camp is not vying for awards. He said due to the disqualification, Honor thy Father lost its chance to be recognized.
“I’m not saying na kung hindi kami nadisqualify, mananalo kami. We don’t know that. Wala namang nakakaalam nu’n e. “Pero ang alam ko lang dahil sa disqualification natanggalan kami ng opportunity, ng pagkakataon para malaman kung paano magperform 'yung aming pelikula sa panlasa nila,” Cruz said.
Cruz mentioned that he was nominated as “Best Actor” but said that he would have rejected the award.
The actor appealed to the members of the Congress and asked them to make a law reforming MMFF.
Radio reports said Rep. Joselito “Lito” Atienza sided with Honor thy Father and mentioned there is a bias and commercialization in MMFF that drove some to connive and disqualify the film.
Cruz stayed in the hearing for a while but later on excused himself to attend the press conference of another film he is starring, “Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis," by Lav Diaz. The film is the first Filipino entry in the main competition of Berlin International Film Fest.
On December 28, Fernandez filed a resolution ordering a House panel to conduct a probe on the disqualification of Honor thy Father from the best picture race at the MMFF
The House committee on Metro Manila development, chaired by Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo conducted the first inquiry on the possible irregularities committed by MMFF officials in disqualifying the film.
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