Pinoy, Fil-Am talents shine at Golden Globe Awards

BEVERLY HILLS, California — The sentimental song penned by Filipino-American Robert “Bobby” Lopez and his wife and composing partner, Kristen Anderson-Lopez, was a big part of the foundation of “Coco,” which won best animation feature at the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday night.

“The song ‘Remember Me’ was always part of the bedrock of our film,” director Lee Unkrich told the Inquirer in a backstage interview after accepting the award. “It’s a very beautiful song that tapped into some very real emotion.”

While “many, many things changed” in the process of producing the film for the past few years, Unkrich said that what remained constant was the song, for which the Lopez couple received a Golden Globe nomination.

“It provided us with the true north while we were making the film,” he said.

“Coco” producer Darla Anderson described the Lopez couple as “amazing and incredibly talented.”

Lopez grandmother

In an interview on the red carpet, Bobby Lopez told the Inquirer that the song, “Remember Me,” was partly inspired by the memory of his Filipino paternal grandmother who passed away while he and Kristen were working on it.

Lopez, who takes pride in his Filipino roots, showed off his black tuxedo made from Philippine piña (pineapple) fabric and designed by Oliver Tolentino.

“What I’m wearing is my shout-out to the Philippines. I love it,” he said.

Also wearing an Oliver Tolentino outfit on the Golden Globes red carpet were Inquirer columnist Ruben Nepales, the first Fil-Am board chair of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), and former Miss Universe and HFPA member Margaret Gardiner.

Hollywood gowns

Multiawarded journalist Janet Nepales worked the red carpet as HFPA’s first Fil-Am executive secretary in an elegant, one shoulder lavender gown designed by Puey Quiñones.

Also wearing a Quiñones creation was Fil-Am TV host and producer Jannelle So, who was stunning in a shimmering gold and black gown with a mermaid silhouette.

Quiñones, creative director of global bridal brand Cocomelody, has designed gowns for Hollywood A-listers Michelle Williams and Katy Perry.

“Descendants 2” actress Dove Cameron walked the red carpet in a chic black gown designed by Fil-Am designer Monique Lhuillier.

Time’s Up solidarity

Fil-Am actor Darren Criss, who was spotted on the red carpet, said he wore black to show solidarity with the Time’s Up movement, which is calling for an end to sexual misconduct and gender inequality.

Criss plays the role of serial killer Andrew Cunanan in “American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace.”

Other Fil-Ams and Filipinos attending the 2018 Golden Globe Awards included New York-based Edwin Josue and Jerry Sibal, leading supporters of Fil-Am arts and culture; publicist Rene Durian; Narciso Chan, president of Curve Entertainment Philippines; and former Philippine music and entertainment executive Flora Ramos and her husband, Marlo.

“Being here inspires hope that sometime soon a Filipino film would win a Golden Globe,” said Durian, publicist of the film “Captive,” starring 2018 Golden Globes presenter Isabelle Huppert and directed by Brillante Mendoza.

Mendoza’s award-winning “Ma Rosa” was entered in the Golden Globes’ best foreign film competition last year.

“Ruben and I are proud of our Filipino-American achievers — filmmakers, fashion designers and entertainment executives — and bring them here to represent the Philippines,” said Janet Nepales, the first Fil-Am to be elected HFPA executive secretary.