Twice ‘X’-rated film tops Cinema One fest

In his acceptance speech at the Cinema One Originals Film Festival awards, filmmaker Jet Leyco sarcastically dedicated the (Currents section) best film triumph of his entry, “Bukas Na Lang Sapagkat Gabi Na,” to the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board.

That’s because the film almost got slapped with an “X” rating (it eventually got an “R18”).

“BUKAS Na Lang Sapagkat Gabi Na” team, led by Jet Leyco (third from right) receives the best picture (Currents) award.

“We got an ‘X’ in the first and second reviews,” Leyco told the Inquirer. “We explained our intention and [the board] allowed us to practice self-regulation. We had no time to reedit, so we just adjusted the projection of that particular scene.”

“Bukas” also won best screenplay for Leyco and novelist Norman Wilwayco. “The entire team’s efforts paid off,” said the director. “Our kind of cinema was recognized, particularly how we view history and politics.”

Jury prize

Arnel Mardoquio’s “Riddles of My Homecoming” won jury prize and four other trophies: best director, music (Gauss Obenza), production design (Perry Dizon) and cinematography (Arnel Barbarona, Bordie Carillo and Coi Nacario) in the Currents section.

(Currents section entries each received a P1-million grant; in the other section, Cinema One Plus, the movies received P2 million each.)

JOSEPH Marco, Rayver Cruz and Matteo Guidicelli, best actors (Currents)

Davao-based Mardoquio lauded Cinema One for supporting regional cinema. “Filmmakers from the provinces have a say in this fest.”

Still in the Currents section, the best sound award went to Mikko Quizon for Whammy Alcazaren’s “Islands”; best editing to Dempster Samarista for Ian Loreños’ youth thriller, “Saturday Night Chills.”

“Night Chills” also won acting prizes for ABS-CBN heartthrobs: Rayver Cruz, Matteo Guidicelli and Joseph Marco shared best actor honors; David Chua, best supporting actor.

Chua saw the unexpected win as a reward for his perseverance. “I was jobless for years,” he said. “The award tells me I can make it in this business.”

Dream come true

Guidicelli admitted: “It’s a dream come true. I often won in car races but I never thought I’d ever get an acting award.”

Cruz similarly expressed elation. “It’s my first acting award. I’ll display it in my room to remind me to always work hard.”

“SITIO” team, led by director Mes de Guzman (third from right), accepts jury prize (Plus).

Cinema One is ABS-CBN’s cable channel dedicated to Filipino movies.

The female stars of Ralston Jover’s “Bendor” topped the tilt: Newcomer Anna Luna won best supporting actress; veteran Vivian Velez, best actress.

Luna’s trophy will be displayed in her bedroom, too, “so it will be the last thing I see before I sleep and the first thing I see when I wake up.”

Velez’s trophy will go on top of her piano. “This is surreal,” she said. “After so many years… and this is my first indie, a good comeback movie for me. The role is so different, raw and unglamorous.”

Veterans hogged the acting prizes in the Plus section as well. Director Peque Gallaga won best supporting actor for Keith Sicat’s “Woman of the Ruins.” “I’m not quite sure how to respond,” Gallaga told the Philippine Daily Inquirer. “It’s always good to be appreciated and validated. I’ll probably get more acting offers… many of which I won’t be able to give justice to. I will never be an Eddie Garcia.”

Gallaga plans to donate his award, like his past trophies, to the library of De La Salle University on Taft Avenue.

She’s got it, too

Best supporting actress went to Bing Pimentel for Borgy Torre’s “Kabisera.” She could retire now, she said. “But my son (acclaimed actor Sid Lucero) thinks this is only the beginning for me.”

LILY Monteverde, Philippine Cinema Original lifetime achievement awardee

Pimentel jested that the trophy was proof her children (Lucero and Max Eigenmann) had inherited a little acting talent from her, too… “not just from their dad (Mark Gil).”

Industry stalwart Joel Torre was proclaimed best actor for “Kabisera.” Said Torre: “This award is special because my nephew directed this film and also won best director.”

Torre, who hails from Bacolod, dedicated his victory “to the people of Bohol, Cebu, Leyte and Samar, who are recovering from recent calamities.”

His nephew said the best director triumph showed that even “indies could be genre films, too.”

Lion’s share

Kapamilya star Angelica Panganiban, best actress winner, said she jumped onboard for Adolfo Alix Jr.’s “Alamat ni China Doll” because she got antsy after being unemployed for some time. “I was clueless about acting in an indie film.”

“China Doll” won a lion’s share: best sound (Mark Locsin, Dante Cuanico, Mike Idioma and Alex Tomboc), music (Lav Diaz), editing (Charliebebs Gohetia) and cinematography (Albert Banzon).

Said Alix: “The best film win is for my second family, my crew… a pat on the back for their hard work.”

VIVIAN Velez, best actress (Currents)

Best production design went to Marielle Hizon for “Blue Bustamante”; Mes de Guzman’s “Sitio” won best screenplay and jury prize in the Plus section.

“I gave this film a different treatment—it’s like a mystery thriller,” De Guzman said. “I wasn’t sure it would get noticed.”

Audience award went to “Woman of the Ruins”; best short to “Magic Touch” by Roxanne Robes, Leizl Senarita and Hershelyn Dimapilis, students from the University of the East-Caloocan, who were mentored by Ruel S. Bayani.

Lifetime achievement

The Philippine Cinema Original awards for lifetime achievement were given to filmmaker Elwood Perez and producer Lily Monteverde.

“This comes at a time when I need it most, now that I’m at a crossroads,” Perez said.

He said sharing the honor with his longtime producer was a fitting celebration of their partnership, which churned out such iconic films as “Problem Child,” “Ibulong Mo sa Diyos” and “Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit,” among others, in the 1970s and 1980s. “She gave me free rein during that era of fabulous filmmaking,” said Perez.

Monteverde returned the compliment, saying she learned a lot from collaborating with directors like Perez. “I gave them freedom because I believed in their talent.”

Among the previous Philippine Cinema Original honorees are Lav Diaz, Brillante Ma. Mendoza, Danny Zialcita, Nora Aunor, Mario O’Hara, Celso Ad. Castillo and Gallaga.