Caesar Vallejos
Eagle News Service
Guerrero’s wonder boy, Julio Cesar Sabenorio is the 2018 Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) Star Awards Movie Child Performer of the Year.
“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa Panginoong Diyos dahil ibinigay sa amin ang award na eto,” Sabenorio said while holding back his tears during his acceptance speech.
Holding the microphone to deliver his thank you spiel, the young boy was wiping his tears and with a lump in his throat, he thanked the Guerrero cast and crew.
Sabenorio who played Miguel, the young brother of Guerrero in the movie, also thanked the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) Executive Minister, Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo.
He was one of the talents discovered under INCinema, the film arm of the Church which produced “Walang Take Two.” It won the 2016 Best Director for a Foreign Feature Film at the International Filmmaker Festival of World Cinema in London, and Best Cinematography in a Foreign Language Film at the 2016 Madrid International Film Festival.
“Nagpapasalamat din po kami sa lahat ng bumubuo ng pelikulang Guerrero, sa cast at sa production,” the young actor said.
The awards ceremony was held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila, February 18. This is the 34th edition of the annual Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) film awards which is one of the industry’s most star-studded award-giving ceremonies.
In its first movie venture, EBC Films immediately got six (6) nominations for the Guerrero project, an inspiring story about a boxer’s ups and down in life.
Director and writer of Guerrero, Carlo Ortega Cuevas, was nominated in two categories: Indie Movie Screen Writer of the Year and Indie Movie Director of the Year.
“Malaking karangalan sa akin ang mga nominations na ito. Ang mapahanay ang aming mga pangalan sa mga prominenteng tao sa industriya ng pelikula ay lalong nakakapagbigay sa akin ng inspirasyon,” Cuevas said of his nomination. Guerrero is only his second film.
He competed against JP Habac (I’m Drunk, I Love You), Joel Lamangan (Bhoy Intsik), Alberto Monteras, II (Respeto), Kip Oebanda (Bar Boys), Mikhail Red (Birdshot), Jerrold Tarog (Bliss) and Dan Villegas (Changing Partners).
Genesis Gomez, who plays the title role, is New Movie Actor of the Year nominee.
At the Indie Movie Musical Scorer of the Year category, the tandem of Abet Alfonso & Amiel Tuazon was recognized.
“Guerrero is just the initial offering of EBC Films so we consider these nominations already as awards. These are dedicated to the people who were inspired by the film. The movie gave them hope and strengthened their faith. More Filipinos should see this film to realize that there is always a fighter in every one of us especially at times when we encounter life’s challenges,” EBC Films’ Robert Capistrano said.
Gina Alajar is this year’s recipient of the Nora Aunor Ulirang Artista Lifetime Achievement Award, while award-winning master director Tikoy Aguiluz is the honoree of Ulirang Alagad Ng Pelikula Sa Likod Ng Kamera Lifetime Achievement Award.
In recognition of his valuable contributions to Philippine Cinema for the more than 30 years, a special musical tribute was given to the late multi-awarded director Maryo J. Delos Reyes. Singer Erik Santos led the tribute with “Saan Darating Ang Umaga” and “Farewell.”
Hosts of the awards night included Judy Ann Santos, Kim Chiu, Julia Barretto, Xian Lim, and Enchong Dee, anchored by Iza Calzado. Performers included Jona Viray, Mark Bautista, JBK, Neil Perez, Zeus Collins, Tanner Mata, Jameson Blake, Maris Racal, Loisa Andalio, Grae Fernandez, AC Bonifacio, and Louise Delos Reyes.
The Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) is a professional group of active columnists and editors of different publications, radio showbiz talk shows, online blog sites, and other media entities. Founded in the late 1960s, the PMPC provides annual honor and recognition to extraordinary achievements in film.
