Janine Gutierrez with her Rising Star Award trophy from the New York Asian Film Festival (Image: Instagram/@janinegutierrez)
Janine Gutierrez has finally received the Rising Star Award trophy from the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) for her performance in “Dito at Doon.”
Gutierrez shared the good news by sharing photos of her with the trophy via Instagram yesterday, Aug. 23, as she dedicated her win to movie supporters despite the pandemic.
“[Thank] you so much to the @newyorkasianfilmfestival for the Rising Star Award [white heart emoji] so grateful for your support of Filipino films and creatives, for sharing your platform and getting our stories out into the world,” Gutierrez said.
She also thanked TBA Studios and the team behind “Dito and Doon,” including co-star JC Santos and director JP Habac, among others.
“[Our] little lockdown film is so special to me at mas special pa na maraming naka-relate kay Len at Caloy at sa walang sawang ECQ,” Gutierrez emphasized.
(Our little lockdown film is so special to me and is even more special that many were able to relate to Len and Caloy and the never-ending enhanced community quarantine.)
“[As] we kept saying nung press days namin for the film, sana magsilbi itong paalala na kung ano pa man ang pinagdadaanan mo, hindi ka nag-iisa,” the actress added.
(As we kept saying during the press days for the film, I hope this will serve as a reminder that no matter what you are going through, you are not alone.)
Gutierrez then dedicated her award to those who continue to support Filipino films despite cinemas being closed during the pandemic-induced lockdown.
“[Hindi] madali pero andito ka. [Sa] mga bumibili ng ticket online, sumusuporta sa mga streaming sites at naglalaan ng oras para sa mga virtual premiere — salamat,” she said.
(It is not easy but you are here. To those who buy tickets online, who support the streaming sites and make time for our virtual premieres — thank you.)
“[Thank] you for supporting the industry and everyone who works in it. [You] mean everything to us. [Thank] you for coming with us on this journey,” Gutierrez added.
She also extended her gratitude to the team behind “Babae at Baril,” which was included in the NYAFF last year. Gutierrez shared that she felt like “part of this recognition is also because” of the said movie.
“Dito at Doon,” internationally titled “Here and There,” tells the story of Len (Gutierrez) and Cabs (JC Santos), two friends who develop a romantic relationship amid the pandemic.
It will be available for streaming via Netflix worldwide starting Sept. 2, according to Gutierrez. /ra
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