Double win for ‘Pamilya Ordinaryo’ in Hanoi

Hanoi juror Iza Calzado flanked by actor Ronwaldo Martin (left) and director Eduardo Roy Jr. —FACEBOOK

Eduardo Roy Jr.’s “Pamilya Ordinaryo” brought home two awards from the recently concluded 4th Hanoi International Film Festival held in Vietnam.

Roy won best director and lead star Hasmine Killip clinched the best actress honor.

Roy told the Inquirer that the victory is “overwhelming.” “I can’t believe it, because I was in the same competition as Thailand’s Apichatpong Weerasethakul (“Cemetery of Splendour”), who is one of my idols.”

The double win comes as welcome good news for Roy, who is currently confined in a hospital. After fainting in a plane from Hanoi to Manila, Roy decided to undergo a checkup. “My doctors are now doing a battery of tests on me,” he related. Roy had to cancel a trip to the United States, where he was set to attend a screening of “Pamilya Ordinaryo” at the San Diego Asian Film Festival.

Killip, who is now based in London, told the Inquirer via Facebook Messenger: “I am so happy! This is a blessing from God … a reward for Team ‘Pamilya Ordinaryo’ for presenting the reality of life in our country, for showing what can happen to young people who live in the streets.”

Although she has been on a roll, bagging awards here and abroad, Killip insisted that she still feels thrilled every time she wins. “Kinikilig pa rin ako! May kiliti pa rin!”

Eduardo Roy Jr. and Hasmine Killip on the set of “Pamilya Ordinaryo”