An evening of nervy speeches

BEST supporting actor Andy Bais for “Violator”

Though feeling a little under the weather, writer and film critic Dodo Dayao remained in a celebratory mood after his “Violator” was declared best picture at the 2014 Cinema One Originals awards Sunday night at the Dolphy Theater in the ABS-CBN compound.

“Maybe I’ll buy new shoes,” the director told the Inquirer.

“Violator,” a psychological drama-horror flick about five men—and a prisoner thought to be the devil—trapped in a police station at the height of a raging storm, is Dayao’s first feature film. Thus, his victory was unexpected and, he said, perhaps came too soon.

“I’m thrilled, but nervous—if I had my way, my first win would come with my second or third movie,” he said.

MILESTONE AWARDEES (from left): Dennis Marasigan, Sherad Anthony Sanchez, Richard Somes, Ray Defante Gibraltar, Remton Siega Zuasola, Antoinette Jadaone, Adolfo Alix Jr., Arnel Mardoquio and Siege Ledesma. Photos by Kimberly de la Cruz

BEST supporting actress Maria Isabel Lopez for “Lorna”

BEST actor Matt Daclan for “Soap Opera”

Dayao said his team ran into the usual spate of scheduling and technical snags, which they took on with a gung-ho attitude. “We just enjoyed the ride,” he said.

“I hope this sense of freedom and lack of pressure will carry over to our next movie,” Dayao added. “I’m thankful to my whole team, from the assistant director and actors to the cinematographers and colorists.”

Dayao admitted that he wasn’t impressed with his work. “Napapangitan ako sa gawa ko (I found my work

ugly)!” Dayao quipped, laughing. “I set bars for myself that I feel I didn’t quite meet. I’ll still be this way even after 10 films. It’s healthy for the creative process.”

Technically solid

That said, Dayao conceded that “Violator” is a technically solid movie that features “intelligent, mature cinematography and sound and production designs, and restrained acting.”

His team received P250,000 in cash for winning best picture, plus an additional P50,000 from one of the festival sponsors. The movie also won best sound (for Corinne de San Jose), best editing (Lawrence S. Ang) and best supporting actor (Andy Bais).

It stars Joel Lamangan, Victor Neri, RK Bagatsing, Timothy Mabalot and Anthony Falcon.

Gotta have one

Because the trophy sculptor, Bumbo Villanueva, is his brother-in-law, veteran filmmaker Kanakan Balintagos told the

audience that he wanted one for himself. And he did, as best director for his entry “Esprit de Corps,” which also won best production design (for Hal Balbuena).

“Esprit de Corps” likewise won for neophyte actor Sandino Martin the best actor award, which he shared with Matt Daclan of “Soap Opera”.

Kept clothes on

In an evening of nervy acceptance speeches, Maria Isabel Lopez of Sigrid Andrea Bernardo’s “Lorna” basked in the spotlight, shrieking as she accepted the best supporting actress trophy: “The first time I won best supporting actress [for ‘Kinatay’], I had to shed my clothes. Ngayon hindi na ako naghubad (I didn’t have to this time)!

“This is a pleasant surprise. Thank you, Direk Sigrid, I was hesitant to accept the role at first because of the very limited budget!” she jested, cackling. “I’d also like to thank my daughter Mara, who always urges me to do this and that film.”

The other winners

The rest of the winners: Tengal Drilon (“Hindi Sila Tatanda”), best music; Jay Abello and Dwight Gaston (“Red”), best screenplay; Aditya Kumar (“Bitukang Manok”), best cinematography; and Angelica Panganiban (“That Thing Called Tadhana”), best actress.

Ten previous Cinema One Originals entries were cited for reaping critical praise both here and abroad. Called Ten Originals Milestones, they are: “Sa North Diversion Road” (2005) by Dennis Marasigan; “Ang Huling Balyan ng Buhi” (2006) by Sherad Anthony Sanchez; “Confessional” (2007) by Jerrold Tarog and Ruel Dahis Antipuesto; “Yanggaw” (2008) by Richard Somes;

BEST actor Sandino Martin for “Esprit de Corps”

“Wanted: Boarder” (2009) by Ray Defante Gibraltar; “Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria” (2010) by Remton Siega Zuasola; “Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay” (2011) by Antoinette Jadaone; “Mater Dolorosa (2012) by Adolfo Alix Jr.; “Ang Paglalakbay ng mga Bituin sa Gabing Madilim” (2012) by Arnel Mardoquio; and “Shift” (2013) by Siege Ledesma.

Special awards

Aside from her “milestone” trophy, Jadaone won special awards for “That Thing Called Tadhana”: Champion Bughaw Award Best Film and Audience Choice Award. The director, who helmed the recent mainstream flicks “Beauty in a Bottle” and “Relaks, It’s Just Pag-ibig,” was likewise named Biogesic Ingat na Damang-Dama Sineserye Grand Winner for “Ang Nanay Kong Noisy.” ([email protected])