Vince Rillon recounts Best Actor Award experience in Rome

MANILA, Philippines — Fresh from his Best Actor feat at the 19th Asian Film Festival in Rome, Italy for his role in Resbak, Vince Rillon recalled how blessed and shocked he was on that special day.

The 23-year-old actor narrated what happened in Rome and shared his acceptance speech in a virtual media conference for his Vivamax film Kaliwaan.

“During the opening of the film festival, naka-coat and formal (attire) kami. For me, blessing na po that the film got in and competed at the festival. Dun pa lang, I felt blessed already,” he shared.

“When we went to the Vatican, with direk (Brillante Mendoza), I prayed. I thanked the Lord, first of all, that I was able to visit the Vatican. It was my dream po talaga na makapasok sa simbahan na yun,” he went on. “Two days before the Awards Night, I asked direk kung pwede ‘wag ng mag-formal attire. ‘We’ll ask,’ sabi niya. Tinanong namin yung kausap ni direk dun. Pwede daw na ‘wag na kaming mag-coat and formal (wear). So, nagpantalon na lang ako. I was wearing a simple outfit.”

Then came the awards night where Resbak director Brillante also received the Lifetime Achievement Award as conferred by the Roma Lazio Film Commission.

“We were just seated there. Ang alam ko si direk Brillante ang bibigyan ng Lifetime Achievement Award dun,” said Vince. “After a short while, they called my name. I wasn’t prepared. I didn’t expect it. Mas lalo akong natuwa po talaga nung tinawag yung pangalan ko.”

“Even direk was surprised. Sabi ko, ‘Ako ba yung tinatawag?’ Hindi pa ako tumatayo hangga’t yung host ginaganyan na ako (makes a hand gesture), ‘Vince, come, come.’ Tapos ako (pointing at self), ‘Me?’ Nagulat po ako,” he continued. “Tapos tumayo na lang po ako. Nahiya rin po ako sa suot ko dahil hindi po ako nakaayos. Nagpantalon lang ako at simpleng damit lang din.”

“When they called my name, I was speechless. I didn’t know what to say. I just thanked the Lord and then sa harap ng aking manager na si direk Brillante and then, yung team ng Resbak,” he recounted. “Para po akong nabigla. Na-shock po talaga ako.”

In the 2021 crime drama, Vince plays a motorcycle thief. It also served as the actor’s launching movie.

“I was really happy. When I was in Rome, di ko (pa) ma-feel,” he said of his award experience. “But while I was on my way home, back sa Pilipinas, dun ko naramdaman ang sarap pala. That night in Rome when I won, I was speechless and shocked, parang hindi ko ma-explain yung naramdaman ko na saya. So ngayon ko lang po talaga na-fi-feel na napaka-blessed ko po sa araw na yun.”

Even with his recent victory, he made it clear that he will not be fussy when it comes to choosing and accepting roles, including daring ones. “Para sa sakin wala po (limit),” asserted Vince. “I enjoy doing movies. Kung ikakaganda ng pelikula ang sex scene, why not? Hindi pa rin po ako magbabago. Tuloy pa rin.” He is also keen on doing more action movies.

At present, Vince is open to any opportunity that comes his way to improve his acting. “Kahit ano po ngayon tinatanggap ko, ina-absorb ko pa lang po talaga kung ano yung mga binibigay sa akin na project. Kung ano man yan. Lahat yun oo lang ako ng oo,” he said.

In his latest starrer Kaliwaan, Vince plays Boogie, a security guard who learns that his partner Monica (AJ Raval) cheated on him and his cop brother is out to get her. But as Monica reveals she’s pregnant with his baby, it’s a race against time to stop his brother.

The sexy-suspense thriller is produced by internationally-acclaimed Brillante Mendoza and helmed by Daniel Palacio. It also stars Denise Esteban, Mark Anthony Fernandez and Juami Gutierrez.

The cast members felt proud and blessed to have worked with an award-winning co-actor and director.

Denise was thankful to be collaborating with them on set, saying: “Sobrang nakaka-proud po sila.”

Juami said he was “blessed to have worked with them” and they inspired him to do better in his craft.

Mark Anthony expressed his congratulations to Vince and direk Brillante. “Proud po talaga ako na nanalo sila. They brought honor to the country. I felt their success. I am very happy for them.”

AJ was pressured when she learned that the Cannes-winning Brillante is the producer. “Nakaka-proud po sila kasi may mga achievements po sila na ganyan. But they remained humble on set. They are easy to work with,” she shared.

(Kaliwaan premieres worldwide on April 29 on Vivamax).