Eugene Domingo wins best actress in Tokyo fest

EUGENE Domingo on the big screen at the Tokyo fest awards gala

MANILA, Philippines—Filipino comedienne Eugene Domingo won best actress for Jun Robles Lana’s “Barber’s Tales” at the 26th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF)—the first acting prize for the country in the Japanese fest that closed on Friday.

“It is always an honor and a pleasure to represent our country anywhere in the world,” Domingo, known as “Uge” in show business, told the Inquirer via e-mail. “My heartfelt gratitude to Direk Jun for this once-in-a-lifetime role.”

Prior to the awards ceremony on Friday night, Domingo and Lana, who both attended the fest, were just praying to bring home any award.

“We knew an award would help in marketing the film … it would help spark interest in it when we have our local screenings next year,” she said.

Lana knew that casting Domingo in a dramatic role could be a huge gamble. Still, he fought tooth and nail for Domingo, who is known primarily as a comedienne.

Some foreigners thought she could only do comedic roles, Lana told the Inquirer. “They were not aware of her background as a theater actress. When they heard Uge would do a drama film, they were initially doubtful,” he said.

During test screenings held prior to the Tokyo premiere, Lana was vindicated. “The audiences were unanimous in saying that Uge did a brilliant job,” Lana said.

TV executive Perci Intalan, Lana’s partner, said that critics at the Tokyo fest bestowed a new title on Domingo: “Darling of Asian Cinema.”

As coup de grace, she won best actress at the Tokyo fest.

“It validated for me the choices I had made during the shoot—particularly on how Uge should portray the character,” Lana said. “I hope Filipino audiences will appreciate Uge’s versatility as an actress.”

During the premiere, Domingo noticed that some audience members were in tears. “The women, in particular, were very emotional and were moved by the film,” she said.

“Barber’s Tales” tells the story of a provincial lass who inherits her husband’s hair-cutting business and ends up aiding rebels during martial law.

“I noticed that Direk Jun has a following at the Tokyo fest. Some of the questions during the open forum were about his past works—including ‘Jose Rizal,’ which he cowrote and was directed by the late Marilou Diaz-Abaya,” she said.

Domingo said some viewers asked about his relationship with his mentor, Abaya, to whom the film was dedicated. “My character in the film is named Marilou, too,” she said.

Winning best actress was just icing on the cake because Domingo also got to go star-gazing on opening night a week ago.

“I didn’t realize how big a festival the Tokyo fest was… until I witnessed and experienced the green carpet walk,” she said.

Unlike in other A-list festivals, the TIFF unrolls not a red but a green carpet—in keeping with its environmental theme.

“(Oscar-winning actor) Tom Hanks was present at the opening ceremony,” she said. “I saw (director) Sofia Coppola and her father, (filmmaker) Francis Ford Coppola, too.”

“Barber’s Tales” won various prizes at the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum last March.

Domingo also attended the Hong Kong event as a presenter at the Asian Film Awards, where Nora Aunor and Eddie Garcia won the top acting prizes for Brillante Ma. Mendoza’s “Thy Womb” and Lana’s “Bwakaw,” respectively.