‘Ordinaryo’ stars win in Harlem

Ronwaldo Martin and Hasmine Killip in Venice

The lead stars of Eduardo Roy Jr.’s “Pamilya Ordinaryo” bagged the top acting prizes in a New York festival. Hasmine Killip won best actress and Ronwaldo Martin, best actor, at the 12th Harlem International Film Festival, held on Sunday in the United States. This is Killip’s fifth international acting honor for the Cinemalaya winner, and Martin’s first award ever.

“I’m happy because I really wanted to win,” Martin told the Inquirer. “Finally, I got to hook a trophy. I offer this award to my family: My Mama and Papa, to my siblings, especially Kuya Dheng (actor Coco Martin, or Rodel Nacianceno in real life) and my grandmother.”

He said he was grateful to director Roy, the entire “Ordinaryo” team, and his screen partner Killip, “whose excellence pushed me to do well, too.”

“I am overjoyed … I never thought I’d win again,” Killip told the Inquirer. “Honestly, I’m nervous because I am giving birth next month. I’m also glad and thankful that both Ronwaldo and I won this time.”

According to its site, the Harlem fest aims to “inspire by honoring dynamic films by anyone about everything under the sun.”

Since the fest believes that everyone has “unique experiences and perspectives to share,” it endeavors to “exhibit fresh work by the finest filmmakers from Harlem and across the globe.” Among the members of the festival’s board
of advisors are actors Susan Sarandon and Keith David, filmmaker Mira Nair and playwright Eve Ensler. —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.