By Ricky L. Calderon
Hasmine Killip scored an upset as she beat superstar Nora Aunor and Judy Ann Santos to be declared as the best actress of the 12th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival. The newcomer won for her work in the movie Pamilya Ordinaryo.
Killip essayed the role of a teen street dweller and petty thief who loses her child in the Eduardo Roy Jr. film, which tells of the harrowing life of young people living in the margins.
Now based in Germany with her husband, Killip was unable to attend the awards night but sent a message of thanks for her victory.
Roy said they told Killip she had a good chance of winning, so they asked her to prepare a thank-you message just in case.
She won the role in Pamilya Ordinaryo after auditioning for it.
She thanked her director and the production staff for their support during the production
She also thanked her screen partner, Ronwaldo Martin.
Killip beat Nora’s work as a binukot in Tuos, directed by Derick Cabrido; and Santos in her Cinemalaya comeback in the stylized film Kusina, directed by Cenon Palomares and David Corpuz.
The winners in the 12th year of Cinemalaya were announced on Sunday night during the awards night held at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater) of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, a copresenter of the digital film festival together with the Cinemalaya Foundation and the Ayala Malls Cinemas.
Winning the best actor prize was veteran actor Tommy Abuel for Dagsin, where he plays an old man battling his personal demons.
Tying as winners of the Best Supporting Actress plum were Lollie Mara as the grandmother in Ang Bagong Pamilya ni Ponching and Elizabeth Oropesa as the mother in I America.
The Cinemalaya Main Competition Jury also decided to give the Best Supporting Actor award to the lead actors of Hiblang Abo, namely, Jun Urbano, Lou Veloso, Leo Rialp and Nanding Josef.
Pamilya Ordinaryo also won for Roy the Best Director prize.
The movie also won the Best Picture trophy, the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (Netpac) Award, and plum for Best Editing.
Mercury is Mine, a black comedy directed by Jason Paul Laxamana (who helmed the multiawarded Magkakabaung), won the award for Best Screenplay as well as the Special Jury Prize.
Tuos, on the other hand, picked up the plums for Best Cinematography (Mycko David), Best Production Design (Stef Dereja), Best Original Musical Score (Jema Pamintuan) and Best Sound (Monoxide Works). It also won the Audience Choice Award.
Here is the complete list of winners:
Best Film: Pamilya Ordinaryo
Best Director: Eduardo Roy Jr., Pamilya Ordinaryo
Netpac Award: Pamilya Ordinaryo
Special Jury Prize: Mercury is Mine
Best Screenplay: Jason Paul Laxamana, Mercury is Mine
Best Actress: Hasmine Killip, Pamilya Ordinaryo
Best Actor: Tommy Abuel, Dagsin
Best Supporting Actress: (tie) Lollie Mara, Ang Bagong Pamilya ni Ponching; Elizabeth Oropesa, I America
Best Supporting Actor: the ensemble of Jun Urbano, Lou Veloso, Leo Rialp and Nanding Josef for Hiblang Abo
Best Cinematography: Mycko David, Tuos
Best Production Design: Steff Dereja, Tuos
Best Editing: Francisco Manatad, Pamilya Ordinaryo
Best Original Musical Score: Jema Pamintuan, Tuos
Best Sound: Monoxide Works, Tuos
Audience Choice Award (Full-Length): Tuos
Best Short Film: Pektus
Best Director (Short Film): Mon Garilao, Fish Out of Water
Netpac Award (Short Film): Ang Maangas, Ang Marikit at Ang Makata
Special Jury Prize (Short Film): Fish Out of Water
Best Screenplay (Short Film): Isabel Quesada, Pektus
Audience Choice Award (Short Film): Fish Out of Water