Allen Dizon in Dhaka
For those who have lost count, it’s Allen Dizon’s 29th acting citation—and his seventh from an international film festival.
Dizon had just won best actor for Ralston Jover’s “Bomba” in the Asian Film competition of the 16th Dhaka International Film Festival in Bangladesh on Jan. 20.
For Dizon, however, winning whether here or abroad never ever gets old.
“It’s very fulfilling,” Dizon told the Inquirer via e-mail, hours after the awards ceremony held at the National Library of Dhaka.
In a way, the audience was as enthusiastic as those in beauty contests, he recalled. “It was like the Miss Universe pageant,” he quipped. “The support from our countrymen was overwhelming.”
He recounted that the Filipino community, led by the ambassador and his staff from the Philippine Embassy, extended their full support to the “Bomba” team. “They prepared a welcome dinner for the delegates. It was also touching to see our kababayan during the screening. They cheered me on during the awards night, too.”
He said he was “thankful” for the recognition, his second for “Bomba,” after bagging the Special Jury Award with costar Angellie Sanoy at the A-list Warsaw International Film Festival in Poland last October.
He said that he shared this latest prize with screen partner Sanoy. “She was also noticed by the jurors.”
As always, he dedicated the trophy to his family—wife Crystle and four children Nella, Ixia, Lucas and Allene. He also expressed his gratitude to the entire “Bomba” cast and crew—led by director Jover, producers Dennis Evangelista, Harlene Bautista and Kate Brios.
Jover remarked that the Dhaka honor was “a testament to Allen’s commitment to his craft and serves as another validation for our humble film.”
“Lastly, I share this award to the Filipino community of Dhaka, for standing by us throughout the festival,” Dizon said.
He pointed out that every accolade an actor brings home is a constant source of “pride and honor.”
“The timing was just perfect,” he asserted. “This is my third time to join the Dhaka fest.” He previously competed in Dhaka for Joel Lamangan’s “Sekyu” in 2016 and for Victor Acedillo Jr.’s “Lando at Bugoy” in 2017.
“After losing twice, I finally won,” he quipped.
Persistence has paid off big time for Dizon.