‘Sugat sa Dugo’ young stars Khai Flores and Shira Tweg score acting awards

MANILA, Philippines — Director Danny Ugali’s advocacy film about HIV/AIDS (Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus/Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome), “Sugat sa Dugo (Wounded Blood),” was the acting debut of both of its young stars, Khai Flores and Shira Tweg.

The upstarts gave their acting best in their respective portrayals after internalizing the roles assigned to them. What they didn’t expect were the awards accorded to them in the recent Star Awards for Movies of the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC).

“Sugat sa Dugo” was shown online in 2022, but up to now, the film does not cease to create its ripple effect to the public because of its universal theme.

The film romped off with five trophies from the Star Awards: Best Supporting Actress for Janice de Belen; Best Indie Theme Song, Hindi Ka Kulang by Myra Aquino; Best New Actor for Khai Flores; Best New Actress by Shira Tweg and Christa Jocson.

“Hindi pa rin tapos ang ‘Sugat,’” Janice told “Sugat sa Dugo” executive producer, Bambbi Fuentes, and associate producer, Christine Areola of Dragon Entertainment Productions.

“Hindi pa,” agreed Bambbi. “Hanggang end of the world, hanggang buhay tayo. Buhay pa rin ang ‘Sugat sa Dugo.’”

“Sugat sa Dugo” is about life, love, survival and death of a family member.

Janice even bagged the Best Actress trophy at the Manhattan International Film Festival Autumn in 2021 for her portrayal of a mom of an AIDS victim in “Sugat sa Dugo.”

“We want to include ‘Sugat sa Dugo’ in the Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) and Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP), so they can consider our film, but we do not know how to go about it,” lamented Bambbi. “We do not know how.”

Meanwhile, 22-year-old Khai was thankful that his acting ability was recognized in “Sugat sa Dugo,” where he played a sex worker and engaged in love scenes both with female and male actors.

That was Khai’s first film, although back in 2020, he did the horror thriller, “Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan,” directed by Chito Roño. The film has yet to be shown.

Khai’s second film was director Mel Magno’s “Huling Hibla,” where the young actor played a deaf mute.

When the challenging and sensitive role of Jack in “Sugat sa Dugo” was first offered to Khai, he immediately had second thoughts. “I did a scene where I needed to wear undies, I was not comfortable with briefs. Mas gusto ko boxer briefs.”

“I got conscious and uncomfortable. But I simply trusted my director, Danny Ugali, and my producers, Tine Areola and Ms. Bambbi (Fuentes). I concentrated on the flow of the story, my role (Jack).”

He got to work with veteran actress Janice de Belen, who played his mom in “Sugat sa Dugo.”

“Initially, I felt nervous working with Ms. Janice,” said Khai. “Nakaka-starstruck. I was speechless while acting with her.”

Khai is expecting more doors to open for him in 2025. “I want to do a teleserye,” he said. “I want also to be recognized on TV.”

He wants to work again with Joshua Garcia and even with Zaijian Jaranilla, Filipino-German artist Daniela Straner and “Pinoy Big Brother” 2024 grand winner, Sofia “Fyang” Smith, and housemate Jarren Garcia.

Meanwhile, 17-year-old Shira Tweg was stunned after her name was called last Sunday as one of the Best New Actress winners, with Christa Jocson.

“I was really surprised,” said Shira. “I wasn’t really expecting the award. After I received the award, I cried to my mom backstage. Thankfully, I didn’t cry onstage after I received the award. I wanted to thank a lot of people.”

She is thankful to the Lord for giving her the talent. “Without Him, I wouldn’t be here to receive the award,” Shira said. “I also thanked my parents for supporting me since Day 1, when I told them I wanted to enter the business. They never really gave up on me.”

“I also want to thank Ms. Bambbi, my management, all those who were with me from the start and the actors who joined me in ‘Sugat sa Dugo.’ Of course, I won’t forget direk Danny Ugali and his team. All of these would not have happened without them,” added she.

“All of my friends, my supporters. I want to thank them, too. Net25, that continues to guide me to this day. And to everyone who has been there for me.”

“Sugat sa Dugo” is Shira’s acting debut. She played the youngest of Janice’s three children, with Khai as the eldest and Christa Jocson as the middle child. Shira was the shy and timid daughter who dreamt of finishing her studies.

She was immediately thankful for being given a supporting role in her film debut. She was undoubtedly challenged, but Shira delivered.

“Especially, I know, it was my first-ever film,” she said. “It was a success. It was fun and exciting to do.”

There are apparently big plans in store for Shira, especially now that she is with Net25, where she previously appeared in a sitcom, “3 in 1,” with Maricel Soriano, Eric Quizon and Epy Quizon.

This month, Shira is slated to release her mini-album with three tracks penned by Christa Jocson and Myra Aquino. “The three of us helped each other write the songs in my album,” Shira said.

Bambbi bared the next project of Dragon Entertainment Productions, a horror thriller that already has a script.

“But we are looking for a funder to push through with the project,” the executive producer said.