The Tokyo story, by Uge

ALL DRESSED UP for the green carpet: producer Perci Intalan, actress Eugene Domingo and writer-director Jun Robles Lana

Eugene Domingo is on a roll. She added another feather in her cap by bagging the best actress plum in the 26th Tokyo International Film Festival for Jun Robles Lana’s “Barber’s Tales.”

It’s the second of Lana’s trilogy of films about small-town Philippines that started with “Bwakaw” last year.

With all the accolades that she has received here and abroad, Uge, as Domingo is known in the biz, could easily be lulled into a sense of complacency.

But that’s not her style.

She’s driven by pure passion for her craft, so she gives her all in every project. At the rate she’s going, Uge must build a bigger trophy room soon.

Bravo, Uge! You give us more reasons to be proudly Pinoy.

Uge shares her “Tokyo tales” with the Inquirer:

“It was not just my first time at the Tokyo fest; it was my first time in Tokyo. I didn’t realize how big the festival was until we walked the long green carpet during the opening ceremony.

“By we, I mean, the Philippine team, composed of ‘Barber’s Tales’ writer-director Jun Lana; producers Perci Intalan and Ferdinand Lapuz; line producer Tonee Acejo; and talent caster Omar Sortijas.

“As we walked, we paused to wave at the photographers and fans gathered there.

“We saw several Hollywood celebrities, like director Sofia Coppola and her father and  fellow filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola on the green carpet.

“The opening film was Paul Greengrass’ ‘Captain Phillips’ and guess who was present at the screening? No less than the film’s star Tom Hanks! Wow!

“Our movie had three screenings. I attended the first, the world premiere, and the second, the press preview. Both screenings were well-attended.

“The viewers were moved by the film and had interesting questions for Direk Jun. They asked why the film was dedicated to (the late filmmaker) Marilou Diaz-Abaya. Why was the film set in a barbershop … in the 1970s?

“The press knew about the director’s past works and background. They also asked about my experiences during filming and about the significance of the ending, which I could not yet reveal.

“The project came at the right time for me. Direk Jun offered me the role over a year ago, but I declined at the time due to previous commitments. Last March, we got to talk again and he asked me to read the script.

“I literally applauded after reading. I was hesitant to ask if he had picked an actress for the lead role of Marilou.

“There was a slight confusion, too, because when I asked about the project’s status, he texted back: ‘It’s a pity that we still don’t have a lead actress.’ I said, ‘I thought you wanted me?’ He asked, ‘Are you saying yes?’

“Where we shot, in Quezon province, there was no electricity, no cable TV, no cell phone signal. We were isolated for almost a month. I told myself, ‘This is not just work; this is devotion.’ But no matter how challenging the conditions, we were always happy on the set. I lived the simple life. We climbed mountains and crossed rivers to reach the set.

“I came back to the Philippines after the two screenings for the shoot of my next film ‘Kimmy Dora 3.’ (Also about to be shown was my latest movie, Chris Martinez’s ‘Status: It’s Complicated.’)

“Then I received an e-mail from the organizers, asking if I could fly back to Japan to attend the awards ceremony. They promised to give me additional breakfast coupons. Hahaha!

“Back in Tokyo, I noticed that the organizers and volunteers were reserved people, but happy to see me. The ‘Barber’s Tales’ team felt weird but excited. When my name was announced as best actress, we hugged one another and cheered. In my speech, I joked that the extra breakfast coupons convinced me to return. Plus, I still had a lot of things to buy from (discount store) Don Quijote.

“My speech was worthy of Miss Universe. I said, ‘Our film tackles women empowerment. If my country had a gender, it would surely be a woman [because of] its beauty and resilience. It keeps me inspired wherever I go.’ O di ba? All I needed was a swimsuit! Hahaha!”

Pink bazaar

Check out the Pink Carpet Events’ Holiday Bazaar 2013 on Nov. 16, 17 and 30 and Dec. 1. It will be held at the Metrotent at Metrowalk, Ortigas, from 1 p.m. to midnight.

I will join other celebs with booths (A1-9) like Diana Zubiri, Sunshine Garcia, Gwen Garci, Melissa Ricks, Bianca Manalo and more.

Entrance is for free and there will be a special raffle, too. For inquiries, call 0925-5138080 or visit www.pinkcarpetevents.net

Jot that down on your  ‘Christmust’ list!

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Personal: Birthday cheers to my reliable friend, Ferdie Topacio!

Happy Birthday to my darling sister, Clara!