They say it is difficult to create credible awards for the movie industry. When a group of entertainment editors banded together three years (Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors or SPEEd) one of the things they wished they would be able to contribute to the local movie industry is a movie award. And when they decided they’d hand out awards, they called it The Eddys (short for editors) and they handed the first sent of The Eddys in 2017, in July, at the Kia Theatre.
That year, not very many knew about The Eddys or SPEEd. While the show at Kia Theatre marked the beginning of a new kind of show that showcased the best in local films, most of the nominees then ignored it.
We said it was all right. It is only the first year.
Last Monday, everyone thought it would rain hard, thanks but no thanks to Gardo, the typhoon that threatened to suck in the monsoon rains and dump them on the archipelago. Miraculously, though, it didn’t. But my fear that no nominees and other awardees would show up was allayed when I saw Bembol Roco (dressed to the nines) seated at the lobby as early as 5 p.m. and then the rest came streaming onto the red carpet with Rhian Ramos and Tim Yap hosting the pre-show activity.
I told myself the attendance this time was better than last year’s, a sign that gradually the movie industry is getting to know The Eddys and SPEEd. When I saw Nora Aunor, Eddie Garcia, Charo Santos, and Maricel Soriano came up the stage to receive their Icon awards, it awed me because not in my wildest dreams I saw the coming together of these respected names in the industry.
Not all nominees and winners (especially in the technical categories) were there to accept their trophies, but there were nominees who came because they were nominated like Best Actor nominee Edgar Allan Guzman (Deadma Walking). And that was appreciated more than him winning the award itself. There will be other films this talented actor can show the members he deserves The Eddys, as well.
Some producers were there too, and it made me feel that these people know the importance of The Eddys. More so, the presence of Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chairman and CEO Liza Diño-Seguerra and Movie and Television Review Board (MTRCB) Chairman Rachel Arenas gave the awards show a very big stamp of approval from the two government agencies in charge of film and television.
What more, have we ever seen the superstar Nora Aunor stand on stage and presented an award? But in The Eddys last Monday, not only she accepted an award, she also presented not one but two major awards! Thank you, Ate Guy for your unwavering support for The Eddys.
I’d say, it was only the second and already the industry is getting to be acquainted with Eddys.
And, of course, as the founding president of SPEEd and one of the founders of The Eddys, I’d like to congratulate this year’s The Eddys recipients
Best Film: Respeto Best Director: Mikhail Red (Birdshot) Best Actress: Mary Joy Apostol (Birdshot) Best Actor: Aga Muhlach (Seven Sundays) Best Supporting Actress (triple tie): Angeli Bayani (Maestra), Therese Malvar (Ilawod) and Chai Fonacier (Respeto) Best Supporting Actor: Dido Dela Paz (Respeto) Best Cinematography: Mycko David (Birdshot) Best Original Screenplay: Eric Cabahug (Deadma Walking) Best Sound Design: Corinne De San Jose (Respeto) Best Musical Score: Jay Durias (Respeto) Best Original Theme Song: Respeto Best Visual Effects: Ang Panday Best Editing: Marya Ignacio (Kita Kita) Best Production Design: Gino Gonzales (Continued on C3)
(Ang Larawan) Rising Producers Circle: Roselle Monteverde (Regal Films) and Veronique Del Rosario (Viva Films) Producer of the Year: Vic Del Rosario Jr.. Film Icons: Gloria Romero, Susan Roces, Eddie Garcia, Nora Aunor, Charo Santos, and Marice Soriano. Manny Pichel Memorial Award: Mario Hernando (posthumous) Joe Quirino Memorial Award: Ricky Lo.
Okay cinephiles, see you next July for the third The Eddys. Mabuhay ang Pelikulang Pilipino.
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Remember the good old days when a Pacquiao fight became synonymous to a national holiday?
The normally busy weekend would usually turn the metropolis into a virtual ghost town, with empty streets and zero traffic.
Young or old, rich or poor, Pinoys from all walks of life kept their eyes glued to their TV sets as they cheered and rallied behind their little brown hero’s every punch, hook and jab that got him closer to his winning knockout.
Every victory became a cause for nationwide cheer and jubilation, with frenzied fans taking to the streets to swap high fives and congratulatory pleasantries with virtual strangers.
It’s ironic when we realize how Pacquiao’s blazing fists of fury—high-caliber lethal weapons on their own—have become instrumental in uniting his countrymen who have always been divided by their beliefs and persuasions.
For once, Pinoys set aside their petty differences as they take pride in their Filipino heritage and rekindle their patriotic fervor. Never in Philippine sports history has any local athlete triggered such pervasive hysteria, aptly dubbed by some quarters as Pacmania.
With his latest Fight of Champions match with Argentinian fighter Lucas Matthysse merely days away, netizens are wondering: will the People’s Champ be able to once more unify his people to rally behind him, reclaim his belt, and wave the Philippine flag proudly once again in the global boxing circuit?
Catch the Pacquiao-Matthysse “Fight of Champions” bout live from the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on July 15 via GMA-7, ABS-CBN, ESPN-5, Cignal TV, and Sky Cable.
Tickets are available at: https://myticket.asia
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Fans and supporters of the singing group Wishful 5 can now relive the most memorable moments of their musical journey! On Sunday, ABS-CBN will air a two-hour special via the station’s Sunday’s Best featuring the vocal quintet’s victorious stint at Wishcovery up to the successful launch of their debut record titled “Wishful Journey.”
A product of Wish 107.5’s online singing competition, the newly-formed singing group is composed of Wishcovery grand winner Princess Sevillena, and runners-up Kimberly Baluzo, Louie Anne Culala, Carmela Ariola and Ace Bartolome.
An initiative of Kuya Daniel Razon, CEO and President of BMPI, the program “Wishcovery” aims to give chance to “those who are aspiring to be known in the world of music.”
Wishcovery is a fresh innovative platform that showcases the musical prowess of Filipinos, earning the nod of hitmaker and Wishcovery resident reactor Jungee Marcelo.
“I just want to tell [Kuya Daniel] to never stop doing things like this because it really blesses a lot of people—people who really need a break,” shared Marcelo in an interview.
Marcelo is set to return for the sophomore season of Wishcovery.
He, together with six more esteemed composers—Noel Cabangon, Boy Christopher, Moi Ortiz, Rannie Raymundo, Vehnee Saturno, and Top Suzara—are tasked to discover seven singing gems who have the potential to become the next big OPM star.
Auditions for the show are slated to begin in August.
Tune in to Wish 107.5 and follow its official social media pages for updates.