Unforgettable award for ‘Heneral Luna’

IF YOU ask actor John Arcilla, this latest honor is the most unforgettable award he has ever received so far.

Arcilla and the other crew members of the historical epic film, “Heneral Luna,” were feted at the Camp General Antonio Luna in Limay, Bataan, on March 8.

“Camp Luna is also known as the Government Arsenal, an agency under the Department of National Defense,” Arcilla told the Inquirer. “It is where all the ammunition in the Philippines is manufactured.”

Team “Heneral Luna” received a rousing welcome from the camp’s officials, led by Amelita Q. Omadto and Major Don de Dios.

They were greeted by drum roll, trumpet-playing and a gun salute.

Organizers awarded General Luna statuettes to producer Fernando Ortigas, scriptwriter Ed Rocha, director Jerrold Tarog and Arcilla.

“The organizers told us that the General Luna award is the highest honor given by the Government Arsenal,” Arcilla related. “It was the first time that it was given to people who are not government officials.”

The organizers wanted to recognize the film’s unique achievements—particularly, in reinvigorating nationalism, especially among the youth, he said.

Arcilla, who toured the compound and the museum with costar Alvin Anson and other “Heneral Luna” staffers, scored a selfie with a huge solid brass statue of his screen alter ego.

“The officers saluted me as if I were a real general,” he recounted. “I got misty-eyed, overwhelmed by a sense of joy, gratitude and pride.”

Arcilla was also nominated for best actor and “Heneral Luna” for best production design and costume at the 10th Asian Film Awards, held in Macau on March 17.