(From left) Carlo Aquino and Charlie Dizon in a promo photo for “Third World Romance.” Image: Courtesy of ABS-CBN Corporate Communications
Charlie Dizon considers her “Third World Romance” co-star and now-husband Carlo Aquino her “lucky charm” after her Best Actress win at the 47th Gawad Urian Awards.
Held at De La Salle University last June 9, Dizon was named Best Actress for her performance in the slice-of-life film, among fellow nominees Kathryn Bernardo, Gabby Padilla, and Max Eigenmann.
But for Dizon, she sees Aquino as one of the key factors behind her win.
“Kaya sabi ko siya ‘yung lucky charm ko. Siyempre, naging madali [ang paggawa ng pelikula] kasi mahal ko. Napadali ang trabaho kasi siya ang kasama ko. Sobra ang suporta na binigay sa’kin ni Carlo, as in,” she said of the former child actor on the sidelines of the awards ceremony.
“Mas pinipili niyang maging ako ang komportable. Sobrang grateful ako na siya kasama ko sa pelikulang ‘to,” she continued.
(This is why I see him as my lucky charm. Of course, working on the film became easier because I’m with the person I love. Work became easier because I was with him. Carlo gave me so much support. He would rather see me being comfortable. I’m very grateful that I was with him in this film.)
On her Best Actress win
Dizon also shared that she first heard of Gawad Urian when she worked on “Fangirl” with her co-star Paulo Avelino. She also received a Best Actress nomination for her performance in the 2020 film.
“Noong ginagawa ko pa ‘yung ‘Fangirl,’ ito ‘yung lagi kong naririnig na award — ang [Gawad] Urian,” she said. “Noong unang pasok ko sa showbiz, wala [pa] akong idea sa award giving bodies or kung magkaka-award man ako. Noong ‘Fangirl,’ hindi ako nanalo ng Urian n’un but I knew my time would come.”
(I always heard of the Gawad Urian when I worked on “Fangirl.” When I first entered showbiz, I had no idea about the award-giving bodies or if I would ever receive an award. In “Fangirl,” I didn’t win an award but I knew my time would come.)
During the interview, the actress admitted that there were “many challenges” in the production of “Third World Romance,” she is nonetheless “very proud” of her team for pushing forward.
“Lagi kong sinasabi na kapag nananalo ako, it shouldn’t be [about] me. It should be about ‘yung mga nakakasama ko. Sobrang thankful ako,” she said. (I always say that when I win an award, it shouldn’t be about me. It should be about the people I worked with. I’m very thankful for them.)
Dizon said she’s aware of the “bigger pressure” that awaits after her Best Actress win, but she remained firm in wanting to do her best. She also shared that one of her career goals is to take part in projects that have a “message.”
“Pinagdadasal ko na sana ang mga projects ko, laging may message na may maibibigay. Para kapag tumanda na ako, makikita ko na maganda ang ginawa ko at may message,” she added.
(I always pray to get projects with a good message. So when I get older, I would look back and know I did something good.)
Aside from Best Actress, “Third World Romance” also bagged the Best Director, Best Production Design, and Best Music awards.