9th Eddys film awards set on July 5 at Newport

All roads lead to Newport World Resorts as the 9th edition of the Entertainment Editors’ Choice, more popularly known as The Eddys, kicks off the local film awards season, training the spotlight once again on the films and artists that captivated audiences and helped shape Philippine cinema over the past year.

Set for Sunday, July 5, at the Ceremonial Hall of the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City, the awards night promises an evening of glamour, prestige, and celebration of the industry’s finest talents.

Organized by the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd), The Eddys will recognize outstanding achievements in Philippine filmmaking across 14 competitive categories, honoring works that have helped shape and elevate the local cinematic landscape through powerful storytelling, bold artistic vision, and technical excellence.

Seven distinct and masterfully crafted films that offer a compelling lens on the Filipino experience are vying for Best Picture: Bar Boys: After School, Eraserheads: Combo on the Run, I’m Perfect, Journeyman, Quezon, Sunshine, and UnMarry.

Special honorees, whose contributions have left a lasting mark on both entertainment and society, will be recognized as well.

Leading this year’s special awards recipients are Box Office Heroes Vice Ganda for Star Cinema’s comedy-drama Call Me Mother, veteran actress Maricel Soriano and the cast of Meet, Greet, & Bye, screen partners Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino for the romantic comedy My Love Will Make You Disappear, and Richard Gutierrez for leading Regal Entertainment’s horror entry, Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins.

Also to be presented are three special distinctions.

The Isah V. Red Award honors individuals whose work uplifts communities through meaningful service. This year’s recipients are corporate leader and philanthropist Chaye Cabal Revilla and actor Donny Pangilinan.

The Joe Quirino Award will go to director and songwriter Joven Tan, whose career journey from entertainment journalism to filmmaking has produced more than a dozen films.

The Manny Pichel Award will be presented to television reporter Lhar Santiago for his decades of contribution to entertainment journalism.

Hosted by Concert Queen Pops Fernandez and television host and broadcaster Kim Atienza, the star-studded ceremony is directed by Calvin Neria.

The night opens with a special production number from Fred Moser and Kanata of Pinoy Big Brother, joined by the cast of the advocacy drama I’m Perfect.

AKTOR PH chairman and founding president Dingdong Dantes will present ongoing initiatives developed in partnership with SPEEd and Unilab.

Up-and-coming young singer-songwriter Isha Ponti will take the stage with a special performance, while singer Jamie Rivera will deliver an emotional number for the posthumous tribute segment, a poignant portion of the program expected to bring a solemn pause to the evening.

Closing the ceremony are performances by Andrea Gutierrez and singer-songwriter David Young.

Organized by SPEEd, The Eddys remains one of the country’s most respected award-giving bodies dedicated to recognizing excellence in Filipino filmmaking.

The 9th Entertainment Editors’ Choice is presented by Newport World Resorts, PlayTime Entertainment, and Echo Jham Productions, with Gold Sponsors Globe Telecom and Unilab Inc.; Silver Sponsors SoundCheck Inc. and Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival; and Major Sponsors Luxent Hotel, RS Francisco, Beautéderm Corporation, Isha Ponti, and PlayaLolita Beach Resort Hotel and Restaurant.

The 9th Eddys will stream live on the Entertainment Editors’ Choice official Facebook page and YouTube channel, with simultaneous broadcasts on leading news platforms.