Regional films top 8th ‘Sinag Maynila’

Newbie Visayan actor Jake Makawili shed tears when his name was called as the winner of the Best Actor prize for Pinikas in recently held 8th Sinag Maynila Film Festival held  March 28  at Gateway Cinema 11 in Araneta Center, Cubao.

Overwhelmed with emotion, the young actor thanked his director, Cris Fuego, profusely, saying that he wouldn’t have gotten this far had Cris not written the script of  Pinikas, which eventually won the Best Picture award in the same festival.

“Pinikas,” a Leyteño film took home seven major awards, including best film, best director, best actress for Angela Villarin, and best actor.

Pinikas is a heartwarming story about love, family, survival, and sacrifice. 

Vince Tañada’s “Ang Bangkay” brought home supporting and technical wins, while “Desperada” and “Sweet Escape” also scored one recognition for each. 

The jury members who selected the winners were:  

For the short films – FAP Director General Paolo Villaluna, Arvin Belarmino, and Harlene Bautista.

Full length and documentary films: Jeffrey Jeturian, Zig Dulay, Shirley Lua.

The full list of winners:   

• Best Picture: “Pinikas”

• Best Director: Cris Fuego for “Pinikas”

• People’s Choice Award: Vince Tañada’s “Ang Bangkay”

• Best Supporting Actress: Mercedes Cabral for “Ang Bangkay”

• Best Supporting Actor: Yasser Marta, “Desperada”

• Best Production Design: Cyrus Khan, “Ang Bangkay”

• Best Screenplay: Cris Fuego, “Pinikas”

• Best Editing: Jay Hernando, “Pinikas”

• Best Cinematography: Manuel “Andoy” Abanto,  “Ang Bangkay”

• Best Musical Score: Marie Luise Calvero,  “Pinikas”

• Best Sound: Alex Tomboc, “Sweet Escape”

• Best Documentary  (Open Category): “Del Mundo” by Rommel Tolentino

• Jury Prize (Documentary – Open): “Mga Muni-muni sa Gitna ng Ambon” by Gio Gonzalves

• Best Documentary (Student category): “Di Lalim, Di Lalit” by Nicole Reyes

• 2nd: “Shalom” by Kiah Resurrecion

• 3rd: “Cemento” by Justine Borlagdan

• Jury Prize (Short Film – Student): “Duros” by Harvey Gozado

• Best Short Film (Student): “Lugud” by Jarno Malonzo

• 2nd: “Mga Unsa na Lang ta Ani” (What Will Happen To Us) by Keith Nemenzo

• 3rd: “Mga Ulol” by Vince Ivan Vesiete

Sinag Maynila’s Festival Director is Brillante Mendoza. Mr. Wilson Tieng of Solar Studios Inc. is co-founder of the film festival