Allen Dizon, Toni Gonzaga top 63rd Famas Awards

ALLEN Dizon received his eighth best actor award on Sunday night for his performance as a coffin maker in Jason Paul Laxamana’s “Magkakabaung” at the 63rd Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (Famas) Awards.

“It’s still different and more memorable if the award you get is from fellow Filipinos. There’s nothing more fulfilling than being recognized by your own people,” Dizon told the Inquirer a day after the ceremony held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila in Pasay City.

Dizon also won best actor for the same role in different international film festivals held in New York, United States; Hanoi, Vietnam; and Dublin, Ireland.

Toni Gonzaga won her first best actress award for her work in Olivia Lamasan’s “Starting Over Again.” Gonzaga said she did not expect to win and that she attended the ceremony only to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to “Eat Bulaga!” hosts Joey de Leon and brothers Vic and Tito Sotto.

“I still couldn’t believe I won until I was handed the trophy,” Gonzaga said.

Miggs Cuaderno, who won best child performer for Louie Ignacio’s “Asintado,” said: “I’m still happy even though I lack sleep. What I got at age 11 was a Famas award, which other (older) actors said they have always dreamed of receiving.”

Cuaderno’s Famas trophy was already his third for “Asintado.” His previous awards were from Gawad Pasado and the Philippine Movie Press Club.

Gabby Eigenmann brought home the best supporting actor plum, also for “Asintado,” which tells the story of a desperate and penniless young man who takes on a drug courier job that goes terribly wrong.

Sylvia Sanchez won best supporting actress for Chito Roño’s “The Trial,” which also won best screenplay and story for Ricky Lee, Enrico Santos and Kriz Gazmen.

Enzo Williams’ “Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo” won best film, best director for Williams and best cinematography for Carlo Medoza.

Bonifacio victory

“Bonifacio” also won best original theme song for Gloc-9 for his composition “Hindi Pa Tapos ang Laban.” Roy Lachica and Joel Bilbao won best production design, also for the historical film.

Elwood Perez’s “Esoterika: Maynila” won the Film Critics Choice Award.

Carlo Francisco Manatad won best editing and Addiss Tabong, best sound for Roño’s “Feng Shui 2.”

Cesar Francisco won best musical score for Cathy Garcia-Molina’s “She’s Dating the Gangster.” Best visual effects was handed to Erick Torrente for Jun Posadas’ “Magnum Muslim .357.”

Special honors

Kaye Dacer and Julius Babao were named Public Service awardees, while Lhar Santiago received the Dr. Jose Perez Memorial Award. Entertainment columnist Emy Abuan won the Arturo Padua Memorial Award, while Dr. Marcelo Ramirez was Famas presidential awardee. Gonzaga and Richard Gutierrez won female and male faces of the night, respectively.