Philippines scores double win at Asian Oscars Monday night

EUGENE DOMINGO: Favorite actress in Asian Film Awards

MANILA, Philippines—The country posted a double victory at the 6th Asian Film Awards, held in Hong Kong Monday night.

Filipino comedienne Eugene Domingo emerged as the favorite actress for her work in Marlon Rivera’s “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank” at the AFA, which is considered the Asian Oscars.

Another Filipina, theater stalwart Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino, won best supporting actress for her performance in Loy Arcenas’ “Niño.”

According to the Filipinos who attended the red-carpet event, Domingo stopped the show, after she asked for a kiss from favorite actor winner and Cantopop idol Andy Lau (who won for “A Simple Life”) onstage. (The favorite actor and actress winners were decided by online voting.)

A teary-eyed Buencamino dedicated her trophy to her “family, Cinemalaya and the country.”

Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino photo by rodel rotoni

“Septic” and “Niño” were both products of last year’s Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival. Both Domingo and Buencamino won at the Cinemalaya fest, too.

The last time the country won at the AFA was in 2009—when Gina Pareño won best supporting actress for her work in Brillante Mendoza’s “Serbis.”

The AFA is handed out by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society to “recognize excellence in Asian cinema.”

Originally posted: March 19, 2012 | 11:12 pm