EDDIE Garcia at last year’s event INQUIRER photo
That there are returning and first-time honorees in this year’s Inquirer Indie Bravo! Awards is truly a welcome development.
Having “repeaters” on the list signifies that past honorees have been consistent in producing worthwhile films that have garnered accolades here and abroad.
On the other hand, “newcomers” on the honor roll can only mean that this community of internationally acclaimed Filipino filmmakers and actors is growing continuously and assiduously.
In a year marked by all sorts of tragedies, both natural and man-made, this is certainly good news.
ANITA Linda (left) and Alessandra de Rossi at the 1st Inquirer Indie Tribute in 2010
ROMY HOMILLADA
Filmmakers
Our honored filmmakers come from different parts of the country, highlighting the diversity of Philippine cinema as well.
Among the filmmakers, first-time honorees Rommel Tolentino, Joey Agbayani, Lawrence Fajardo, Gutierrez “Teng” Mangansakan II, Emmanuel Quindo Palo, Sigrid Andrea Bernardo, Paul Sta. Ana, Dwein Baltazar, Ian Loreños and Hannah Espia will join previous awardees Lav Diaz, Kanakan Balintagos (Auraeus Solito), Erik Matti, Khavn de la Cruz, Jun Robles Lana, Benito Bautista, Vincent Sandoval and Sheron Dayoc. Their works cut across established forms—from shorts to full-length narrative features, from animation to documentaries.
Interestingly, the list of acting honorees spans all age groups—from child stars to seasoned veterans. On this list, past winners Nora Aunor, Eddie Garcia, Eugene Domingo and Anita Linda will welcome first-time honorees Joel Torre, Alessandra de Rossi, Jericho Rosales, Sandy Talag, Bugoy Cariño and Barbara Miguel to this exclusive club.
Linda, 89, and Garcia, 84, prove that true talent is timeless; but the other end of the roster is getting younger: Talag is 15; Cariño, 11; and Miguel, 9.
There are 28 honorees this year—just in time for the paper’s 28th anniversary. And this happened by chance, no doubt a happy coincidence.
We are certain that more Filipino artists will win international awards before the year is over—as there are a few of them currently competing in various festivals at press time. That’s great news, too, because it means we can soon start drafting the list for Batch 2014.
Yes, the work never ends, but we are not complaining.
Just like the filmmaking community it seeks to serve, the Inquirer Indie Bravo! continues to expand. This year, its celebration grew bigger with the addition of a film festival of shorts and documentaries.
NORA Aunor at the 3rd Indie Tribute last year JIM GUIAO PUNZALAN
Some of the honorees’ works will be screened during the three-day fest at My Cinema in Greenbelt 3 Makati (Dec. 9 to 11). Interested parties are requested to preregister with Bianca Kasilag, by e-mail (bkasilag@inquirer.com.ph) or via phone (897-8808 local 352).
But the main event remains to be the annual tribute ceremony, to be held at the Inquirer’s Makati office on Dec. 12.
It is expected to be yet another casual, convivial gathering of old and new friends, fresh and familiar faces.
We are at once honored and humbled that these acclaimed artists now consider the Inquirer their “indie” home.
(E-mail bayanisandiegojr@gmail.com)