25-year wait over for Richard Quan; ‘Tanabata’ tops ToFarm fest

Richard Quan, best supporting actor

To prepare for his character in Hubert Tibi’s period drama “1957,” actor Richard Quan said he consciously tried to lose weight and didn’t sleep much for four days.

Richard’s sacrifice paid off as it won for him the best supporting actor award at the 2018 ToFarm Film Festival awards ceremony held on Sunday night in Makati City.

“I wanted to look tired and haggard, so I would only sleep for three hours at night,” he told the Inquirer. Richard’s character, Carding, is a poor farmer who fought in the war. “I would also jog every morning while we were staying in Iriga City.”

“1957” also won for its writer-director the best screenplay award. It likewise bagged the second best picture trophy, and a cash prize of P400,000. “I accepted the project because I know we have a fine script,” Richard said, who got his first award in 25 years. “I’m used to getting nominated, but eventually losing. The hardship that I had to go through for this project is what makes it really special to me.”

Best actress winner Mai Fanglayan (“Tanabata’s Wife”) agrees with Richard. “All our hard work has paid off. We had to contend with the weather while filming. Even our premiere night was canceled because of the rain,” she said. Their gala screening at SM Baguio had to be called off because of Typhoon “Ompong.”

“Tanabata’s Wife” went home with nine awards, including best picture (P500,000 cash prize) and best director for Charlson Ong, Lito Casaje and Choy Pangilinan. Japanese actor Miyuki Kamimura also copped the best actor honor.

Miyuki Kamimura, best actor

“Miyuki and I really had to work on our rapport. The language barrier made that difficult. He understands but speaks little English,” Mai said, who plays Miyuki’s wife in the romantic drama.

“He’s very professional. He is also a gentleman and is very conservative,” Mai added. “There’s an instance in the film when I had to remove my top—it’s part of the Cordilleran culture. He told me that if we’d have more intimate scenes like that, he’d rather be the one to undress.”

Director Charlson said “it’s indeed a very good time for Philippine cinema.” Asked if he thought their film’s victory that night would translate into box-office success, he replied: “I hope so, but we don’t have control over that. We just do the work and hope people respond to it positively by watching it in cinemas.”

Keith Sicat’s sci-fi flick “Alimuom” was adjudged third best picture. It also brought home a cash prize of P300,000. Actor Robert Arevalo was the recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement award.

Dulce, Bo Cerrudo and Bituin Escalante opened the two-hour event with a kundiman medley. The show was hosted by theater actor Reb Atadero.

In her opening speech, ToFarm executive producer and chief advocate Milagros O. How said “if you don’t win tonight, don’t give up. Just keep on trying (to make meaningful films).”