A scene from “Balangiga: Howling Wilderness”
KHAVZ Dela Cruz’s “Balangiga: Howling Wilderness” dominated the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards (FAMAS) Awards’ 66th Gabi ng Parangal held at The Theater at Solaire last Sunday evening.
The film went home with five awards—Best Picture, Outstanding Achievement in Production, Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography, Best Original Song, and Best Original Screenplay.
Set in 1901 in Balangiga, Samar, “Balangiga: Howling Wilderness” is a historical epic film about an eight-year-old boy named Kulas, who together with his grandfather and a carabao, escape from General Jacob Smith’s “Kill and Burn” order during the Philippine-American war.
Last year, the film also won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor and Best Actor at the Quezon City International Film Festival (QCinema).
Written by Dela Cruz, Jerry Gracio and Achinette Villamor, the movie stars Justine Samson, Warren Tuaño, Pio del Rio, Lourd de Veyra, Jun Sabayton, Roxlee, Daniel Palisa and Althea Vega.
Meanwhile, Agot Isidro was named as Best Actress for the film, “Changing Partners.”
Isidro plays Alex who has a partner named Cris played by Sandino Martin.
The 51-year-old actress expressed her gratitude through an Instagram post yesterday.
“Pang-FAMAS ang acting ‘ah. Nung bata ako, palagi ko naririnig ‘yan, lalo na pag umiiyak ako. So this happened last night. I am over the moon! Salamat sa lahat ng bumati,” Isidro said.
In 2017, Isidro was also named Best Actress for the same film during the Cinema One Originals Film Festival.
“Changing Partners” also won the Best Adapted Screenplay award.
Winning Best Actor was Allen Dizon for his role as Pipo in “Bomba.”
Last year, Dizon together with Angellie Sanoy bagged the Special Jury Award during the 33rd Warsaw International Film Festival in Poland.
FAMAS Awards are honors to achievers in Philippine cinema organized by award-winning writers and movie columnists.
Agot Isidro receives her Best Actress award for “Changing Partners.” With her is actor/director Ricky Davao.
The winners
Best Film: “Balangiga: Howling Wilderness”
Grand Jury Prize: “Tu Pug Imatuy (The Right To Kill)” and “Respeto”
Outstanding Achievement in Directing: Arnel Barbarona (“Tu Pug Imatuy”)
Best Actress in Lead Role: Agot Isidro (“Changing Partners”)
Best Actor in Lead Role: Allen Dizon (“Bomba”)
Best Actress in Supporting Role: Odette Khan (“Barboys”)
Best Actor in Supporting Role: Mon Confiado “(Mga Gabing Kasinghaba ng Hair Ko”)
Best Adapted Screenplay: Vincent De Jesus and Lilit Reyes (Changing Partners)
Best Original Screenplay – Khavn de la Cruz, Achinette Villamor, and Jerry Gracio (“Balangiga: Howling Wilderness”)
Best Original Song: “Katurog Na” (“Balangiga: Howling Wilderness”)
Best Musical Score: Jay Oliver Durias (“Respeto”)
Best Sound Engineering: Mikko Quizon, Jason Conannan, Katherine Salinas and John Perez (Best Sound Engineering)
Best Visual Effects: Iar Arondaing (Installado)
Lifetime Achievement Award: Lav Diaz
Dolphy Achievement Award: Vice Ganda
FPJ Achievement Award: Coco Martin
Youth Achievement Award: Aura and Julie Ann San Jose