Susan Roces, 6 other honorees at 3rd Gawad Direk Thursday night

ROCES.

The Directors Guild of the Philippines Inc. (DGPI) will honor actress-producer Susan Roces and six other members of the movie industry at tonight’s 3rd Gawad Direk at the Shooting Gallery Studios in Makati City.

The awards show will coincide with the general assembly and election of a new set of officers of the 64-strong organization, according to DGPI president Joel Lamangan.

The other honorees are directors Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes, independent filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik, cinematographer Romy Vitug, screenwriter Ricky Lee and film producer Lily Monteverde.

They were chosen based on their body of work and industry-related achievements, which had advanced either arts appreciation, education or film-industry welfare.

“We don’t hand out awards every year. We do it at a time we deem it necessary, and when we already have enough resources to mount an awards show,” Lamangan told the Inquirer.

“Choosing the awardees is a long process. Members nominate whom they think deserve to be recognized, then we deliberate. The new honorees are not just film directors, some belong to other disciplines,” he added.

The recognition is DGPI’s way of paying tribute to people who served as directors’ “collaborators,” said Ruel Bayani, DGPI membership committee chair. “Without their contributions, our films would not have been as successful. We are thankful for the love and care, as well as for the protection, they have given to directors like us.”

Outstanding work

DGPI board chair Emmanuel “Maning” Borlaza said the Gawad Direk was given to “directors with outstanding work.” “However, they still have to be alive,” Borlaza pointed out. “The case of the late Luciano ‘Chaning’ Carlos was an exception. He was already informed of his award, but unfortunately, he passed away before the date of the ceremony.”

According to DGPI board member Cesar Apolinario, the winners were chosen “based on merit. Kidlat is not a DGPI member … but we acknowledge him for being one of the pioneers of indie filmmaking in the country.”

Ten new members were inducted and welcomed into the organization recently, vice president Mike Sandejas announced.

To become a member, one has to be able to make at least one full-length feature film. “You don’t apply to join. You have to get invited,” said Lamangan. “Once you get one, it means your credentials underwent deliberation and that the group found you deserving. This is not just based on your body of work, but also your reputation.”

Borlaza said that to get accepted, all group members should be in agreement. “We also give importance to the director’s character—how he relates with other people, how he treats his workers,” he added.

“It’s not an elite group where you have to know one member to get in,” said Sandejas. “We also watch movies, so we know which films are good. We appreciate them. The directors of the films that we found impressive get invited to the guild.”

Lamangan said it is DGPI’s aim to become “the No. 1 guild in the industry—to become well-respected and influential. We hope for it to become a strong force that will protect the interest of film directors and of the industry.”

Other DGPI officers are Rica Arevalo (secretary) and Mac Alejandre (treasurer). Other board members are Soxie Topacio, Paolo Villaluna, Ellen Ramos and Joyce Bernal.