A very ‘indie’ Famas

Top winners: Allen Dizon (left), best actor, and Agot Isidro, best actress

Indies swept the oldest award-giving body in the country.

“It felt like winning an award for the first time,” said actor Allen Dizon of his experience attending the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (Famas) awards ceremony on Sunday night, where he was named best actor for “Bomba.”

Allen said this in spite of the numerous honors he had won both here and abroad for Ralston Jover’s drama.

“Nakakapanibago!” Allen told the Inquirer on Monday: “I don’t remember competing with actors as excellent as the ones from this batch.”

Allen snatched the best actor trophy from nominees Nonie Buencamino (“Smaller and Smaller Circles”), Bembol Roco (“What Home Feels Like”), Jojit Lorenzo (“Changing Partners”), Justine Samson (“Balangiga: Howling Wilderness”), Noel Comia Jr. (“Kiko Boksingero”), Joshua Garcia (“Love You to the Stars and Back”), Timothy Castillo (“Neomanila”), Abra (“Respeto”), and Dingdong Dantes (“Seven Sundays”).

The award was made “more special,” Allen said, because most of the nominees were present at this year’s venue—the Theatre at Solaire in Parañaque City. “It was a fun gathering. The ambience was festive. Even the crowd was very receptive,” recalled Allen, who added that his biggest aspiration was actually to be recognized in top-tier film festivals like those in Cannes and Venice.

Agot Isidro bagged the best actress award for her performance in Dan Villegas’ screen musical, “Changing Partners.” On her Instagram account, the actress said she felt “over the moon” because of the experience.

She added that when she was younger, she would often hear people comment: “Pang-Famas ang acting ah!” especially whenever she would throw tantrums.

“So this happened last night … #practicemakesperfect,” was what she captioned a photo of her while accepting the trophy.

Khavn dela Cruz’s “Balangiga: Howling Wilderness” was the winner of the best picture honor. It also won for Khavn, Achinette Villamor and Jerry Gracio the best original screenplay honor; as well as the best cinematography award for Albert Banzon.

Arnel Barbarona took home the best director award for “Tu Pug Imatuy,” which is also the first place Grand Jury Prize winner. The second place Grand Jury Prize was given to Treb Monteras II for “Respeto.”

Mon Confiado brought home the best supporting actor award from Gerardo Calagui’s “Mga Gabing Kasinghaba ng Hair Ko,” while Odette Khan got the best supporting actress trophy for her performance in Kip Oebanda’s “Barboys.”

“Balangiga: Howling Wilderness” also won the best production design award for Marija Vicente, Timmy Harn and Zeus Bascon. The film’s theme song, “Katurog Na,” was chosen best original song.

“Changing Partners,” which is based on Vincent de Jesus’ musical of the same title, was the winner of best adapted screenplay (for De Jesus and Lilit Reyes).

Victor Delotave Tagaro won best editor for his work on “Yield.” The best sound honor went to Mikko Quizon, Jason Conanan, Katherine Salinas and John Perez for their work in Shireen Seno’s “Nervous Translation.”

“Respeto” won for Jay Durias the best musical score honor, while “Instalado” gave Iar Arondaing his best visual effects trophy.

Filmmaker Lav Diaz was the recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award, while comedian Vice Ganda received the Comedy King Dolphy Memorial Award.

Actor Coco Martin brought home the Fernando Poe Jr. Award, and his “Ang Probinsyano” costar Awra Briguela got the German Moreno Youth Achievement Award.

Other winners were the following: “Hilom,” best short film; “Aliens Ata” and “Dory,” Grand Jury Prize for short film; Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto, Male and Female Celebrity of the Night, respectively; and JC Santos and Max Eigenmann, Male and Female Face of the Night.