PDI honors peerless film artists on its 3rd decade of telling the Filipino story

On its sixth year, the Inquirer Indie Bravo! Awards continues to honor film artists who have left an indelible mark on the local and international scenes.

To celebrate the Inquirer’s 30th year of courageously telling the Filipino story, the Entertainment section will fete 30 similarly fearless artists in a meaningful ceremony to be held on Dec. 10 at the paper’s Makati office.

In the past, Inquirer Indie Bravo! recognized the achievements of directors, actors, producers and a scriptwriter. For batch 2015, a music scorer (Teresa Barrozo for “Kinatay”), film editor (Benjamin Tolentino for “Bendor”) and scriptwriter-director (Ralston Jover for “Children’s Show”) will join the honor roll.

The lineup covers various age groups as well—from child star Miggs Cuaderno to pioneering indie filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik.

Topping the list of acting honorees are screen luminaries Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos—past Inquirer Indie Bravo! awardees and two of the most admired and acclaimed thespians in the history of Philippine cinema.

Also returning this year are previous acting honorees Sid Lucero, Allen Dizon and Liza Diño.

Welcome additions to the acting roster are first-time winners, Richard Gomez, Aiko Melendez, LJ Reyes, Jake Vargas and Cherie Gil.

Other fresh inductees are directors Louie Ignacio, Roderick Cabrido, Ida Anita del Mundo, Giancarlo Abrahan, Lemuel Lorca, Real Florido, Gabby Fernandez, Perci Intalan, Carlo Enciso Catu and Kiri Dalena

Previous honorees Francis Xavier Pasion, Will Fredo, Jun Robles Lana, Jeffrey Jeturian and Carlo Obispo are being recognized this year, as well.

Interestingly, apart from the fact that the 2015 honorees span several generations, they also cover a wide range of genres—signaling the growth of the Philippine indie film movement.

Various genres are represented—from action (Gomez for “The Janitor”) to horror/suspense (Intalan’s “Dementia”), comedy (Florido’s “1st Ko Si 3rd”) and erotic drama (Lana’s “Anino sa Likod ng Buwan”).

The other repeat winners will also be acknowledged (with their own Guyito stuffed toys). These are the perennial international awardees: Brillante Ma. Mendoza, Sigrid Andrea Bernardo, Jason Paul Laxamana, Hannah Espia, Joseph Israel Laban and Joel Lamangan.

As the trophies are being minted, more Filipinos are bringing home awards from film festivals abroad: actors Epy Quizon (“Unlucky Plaza”) in Manhattan (United States), Buboy Villar (“Kid Kulafu”) in Guam and Micko Laurente (“Bambanti”) in Hyderabad (India), along with filmmakers Khavn (“Ruined Heart”) in Austin (US), Antoinette Jadaone (“That Thing Called Tadhana”) in Guam, Zig Dulay (“Bambanti”) in Brussels (Belgium) and again Mendoza (“Taklub”) in Rome (Italy).

This can only mean that it’s time to draft next year’s list NOW!