Paolo Villaluna’s ‘Pauwi Na’ wins in Shanghai fest

Paolo Villaluna (right) with actors Cherry Pie Picache and Bembol Roco

Paolo Villaluna’s “Pauwi Na (Pedicab)” won the top prize, the Golden Goblet, in the main section of the 20th Shanghai International Film Festival, held in China on Sunday (June 25).

The Filipino film competed with entries from Romania, Poland, Italy, the United States, Bangladesh/India, China, Japan, United Kingdom, Iran, Germany, and Macedonia/Russia/Lithuania.

Inspired by an Inquirer story on an impoverished family that traveled from Manila to Bicol in a pedicab: “Pauwi Na” was the only Southeast Asian movie in the lineup.

Shanghai is only one of three A-list film festivals in Asia, along with Tokyo and Goa, accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers’ Associations.

Villaluna earlier told the Inquirer: “We were initially afraid that foreign audiences may not be able to relate with some of the cultural and social nuances in the film. So (cowriter and producer) Ellen Ramos and I are humbled to be in the main competition. It’s a beautiful reminder how cinema can make the human condition universal.

“Pauwi Na” previously won six trophies at the first ToFarm Film Festival last year: best actor (for Bembol Roco), best actress (for Cherry Pie Picache), Jury Special Award for Outstanding Film, best editing, best production design, and best story. /atm