Celebrating its first year, ToFarm Film Festival culminated with an awards night held at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel last Wednesda night.
Zig M. Dulay’s Paglipay won the festival’s Best Picture honors.
“Ako kasi anak ako ng isang magsasaka, magsasaka talaga buong pamilya ko. Kaya ako sumali dahil interesado ako, gusto ko talaga yung mensahe na ipinaparating ng Tofarm, yung mission vision nito,” said Dulay in an interview
Paglipay, a story aimed at showing the importance of how farming or “Kaingin” was done back then with an added love story that mirrors the culture of the Aetas, also won him the Best Director award.
The festival has six entries, all try to promote farming thrrough films. The films magnify the theme “The Plight of the Farmer: His Trials and Triumphs.”
Walking home with the top acting award was Garry Cabalic, an Aeta who shared the Best Actor plum for his performance in Paglipay with seasoned actor Bembol Roco for his role in the film Pauwi Na.
“Sa tingin ko ay parang nananiginip lang ako pero totoo pala ‘tong ginagawa ko. Napaka-saya ko po dahil naging Best Actor po ako. Naninibago po talaga ako,” said Cabalic in an interview right after the awarding ceremony.
He added that the success of his acting debut was made possible by Director Zig Dulay’s guidance. Through his help, the first-time actor was able to deliver the emotions required of him for the role, hence dropping all his inhibitions.
Cabalic also recounted how Executive Vice President of Harvester Inc., Dr. Mila How came by helicopter just to fetch him earlier that day, passing rivers and mountain of Zambales.
“Nung sinundo niya po ako sa Zambales kanina may narinig po akong helicopter na bumaba. Hindi naman karaniwan na may helicopter sa amin. Andun po kami naglilnis ng gabi tapos biglang may dumating na helictoper eh ‘di ko akalain ako pala yung susunduin kaya po nagulat din ako kanina,” Cabalic said.
Award-winning actress Cherry Pie Picache also won one of the top awards of the night. She snatched the Best Actress award for her performance in the film Pauwi Na.
The members of the media asked the actress how it was working with Aetas and indigenous people, Picache said, “One thing that is interesting sa entries ay yung range nung mga kung saan tungkol yung mga pelikula. We welcomed them, everybody’s welcomed to do a film and it’s nice that they were given a chance to tell their story.”
Other winners of the first ToFarm Film Festival were: Micko Laurente (Best Supporting Actor) and Anna Luna (Best Supporting Actress); Arnel De Vera (Best Sound) and Lorenzo Nielsen (Best Music); Mao Fadul (Best Production Design); Paolo Villaluna and Ellen Ramos for Best Editing and Best Story, respectively; Albert Banzon (Best Cinematography); and Maricel Cariaga (Best Screenplay).
Paglipay won the People’s Choice award while Kakampi the Professional Responsibility trophy and Pilapil the Ingenuity trophy.
Meanwhile, Jury Special Awards were given to Pauwi Na and Pitong Kabang Palay for Outstanding Film and Most Outstanding Ensemble Performance, respectively.
The third Best Picture award was given to Free Range and second Best Picture to Pitong Kabang Palay.
Before the program came to a close, Festival Director Maryo J. Delos Reyes announced that the organizers of ToFarm are now accepting entries for the next edition of the film fest, which will carry the theme “Planting the seeds of change.”
PHOTOS BY SONNY ESPIRITU