Enchong Dee. Image: Courtesy of Star Magic
Enchong Dee stressed that being present in an awards ceremony, whether an actor is poised to win a plum or not, is a way of supporting the entertainment industry.
Dee pointed out that “showing up” matters as these ceremonies “celebrate” the industry when asked about actors supposedly “hesitant” to attend awards shows due to “uncertainty” of winning the award.
“We have to remember that an awards night is a celebration of our industry. It’s a celebration because last year, somehow, we saw the light in the Philippine movie industry when we thought that it was already dying. And all of a sudden, record-breaking films happen,” he told reporters at a Star Magic media con.
Touching on the topic, Dee recalled a reminder from “GomBurZa” director Pepe Diokno, where the latter always reminded the cast and crew Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2023 entry to “always show up.”
“It’s funny that you’re asking this because magkakasama kami ni Direk Pepe, nagkaroon ng awards night after the MMFF film,” he said. “And at our table, Direk Pepe said, ‘We always show up. We always show up no matter what. Because we’re not here to get an award. We’re here because our team is here.’”
(It’s funny that you’re asking this because Direk Pepe and I were together with the cast and crew. There was an awards night after the MMFF film. And in our table, Direk Pepe said, “We always show up. We always show up no matter what. Because we’re not here to get an award. We’re here because our team is here.”)
Enchong Dee as Padre Jacinto Zamora in “GomBurZa.” Image: Courtesy of JesCom Philippines and MediaQuest.
This particular reminder, according to the actor, was “stuck” on him. It was advice that reiterated that he is not at an awards show for himself.
“The last thing I can do is to show up and to be here for my film… we are not here for ourselves. We are here for the family that we created. At the same time, isa siyang reminder na ’di ba, sobrang proud ka sa film mo? (At the same time, it’s a reminder that you’re proud of your film, right?) And when you’re nominated, you’re supposed to be proud to be nominated for your film,” he said.
Dee also reiterated that once an actor gets paid to star in a film, it’s supposed to be a “total package” from filming, joining promotional activities and press conferences, to attending awards ceremonies.
“Proud ka sa pelikula mo and the least you can do is to be there for it. Ako kasi, lagi ko siyang tinitignan na kapag binayaran ka ng producer sa shooting, hindi naman siya natatapos sa shooting. It’s a total package,” he said.
(You’re proud of your film and the least you can do is to be there for it. For me, I always believe that when a producer pays you to be part of a film, it doesn’t just involve shooting. It doesn’t end in shooting. It’s a total package.)
Dee recently was named Best Supporting Actor award at the seventh Entertainment Editors’ Choice (Eddy) Awards for his portrayal of Padre Jacinto Zamora in “GomBurZa.”