MANILA, Philippines – If there was something that the 51st Metro Manila Movie Pageant Gabi ng Parangal proved, it was why illustration in movie is such a giant deal within the first place.
On Saturday, December 27, one movie and two actors took residence the most important wins of the night time: the awards of Greatest Image, Greatest Actress, and Greatest Actor. However these victories aren’t only for these awardees — they’re for the communities they characterize.
Maybe it was I’mPerfect that was essentially the most talked about film of the night. Directed by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo, this romance drama movie charts the love story of Jiro and Jessica, two people who’ve Down syndrome.
It’s not day-after-day that you just see movies striving to dig deeper into the lived experiences of people with Down syndrome. Once they do seem in movies, they’re typically simply minor characters we don’t actually get to see the depth of. That is the place I’mPerfect is available in.
In the course of the Gabi ng Parangal, Bernardo shared that she had pitched the movie to a number of producers however to no avail. These rejections solely fueled her to battle to inform the story of I’mPerfect much more, till it lastly discovered its approach to actress Sylvia Sanchez, who agreed to provide the movie.
“After I made this challenge, it was purported to be simply an advocacy, [a form of] consciousness, pero ngayon, it’s a motion, so sana po hindi lang po ito simula. Sana po wala nang wakas ito,” Bernardo stated.
(After I made this challenge, it was purported to be simply an advocacy, a type of consciousness, however now, it’s a motion, so I hope this isn’t just the start. I hope this received’t have an finish to it.)
“Allow them to be seen, be heard, and please embody them, mga direks (administrators),” Bernardo stated about people with Down syndrome.
In opposition to all odds — with seven different promising movies going up towards it — I’mPerfect was not solely topped Greatest Image, however its primary feminine lead Krystel Go was additionally named Greatest Actress.
Go and her co-actors turned emotional as she was known as onstage to simply accept her trophy. They accompanied her behind the mic as she delivered her speech.
“Maraming salamat po sa pagkakataon na ito para mabigyan kami ng boses at mapakita namin na kaya rin umarte ng individual with Down syndrome,” a teary-eyed Go stated.
(Thanks a lot for this chance to amplify our voice and permit us to point out that an individual with Down syndrome can act, too.)
The rising actress stated that it was a dream come true for her and her fellow forged members to lastly grow to be actors. And to prime all of it off, in addition they received the Jury Prize for Greatest Ensemble.
For the LGBTQ+ group, and all of the moms
Vice Ganda, in the meantime, was named Greatest Actor for his efficiency in Name Me Mom. Directed by Jun Robles Lana, the movie follows Twinkle de Guzman, a single queer mom who’s within the strategy of adopting her son, Angel.
Twinkle then faces a number of setbacks when Mara, Angel’s organic mom, exhibits up unannounced.
The actor-comedian admitted that he usually doesn’t put together speeches when he will get nominated for awards like this as he by no means expects to win anyway.
Even then, he nonetheless left the viewers with a profound message: “It’s actually 2025, and it’s actually attainable. And it’s actual. Queer folks will be greatest actors. A queer individual in robe generally is a greatest actor. It’s 2025. It’s about rattling time.”
Name Me Mom was the movie that noticed Vice actually embody his character like by no means earlier than, and it was as a result of Twinkle’s was a narrative near his coronary heart. Greater than something, the movie tackled the best fears of people within the LGBTQ+ group who additionally try to grow to be dad and mom or moms of their very own.
“Ginampanan ko po ‘yung isang tao na could sapat na kakayahan, could sapat na laki ng puso at kalusugan para magmahal, pero takot na takot na baka hindi payagan (I portrayed an individual who’s succesful, has a giant coronary heart, and has the capability to like, however is terrified that she received’t be allowed to like),” Vice stated.
The movie was additionally a mirrored image of Vice’s personal dream to grow to be a mom himself. In an emotional second onstage, the It’s Showtime mainstay apologized to his longtime associate Ion Perez, whom he has lengthy deliberate to boost a baby with. However their plans have but to push by due to Vice’s work and obligations — with the comic likening it to the sensation of shedding a baby every year.
“Kaya sana magkaroon pa ako ng mahaba pang buhay at sana makapagdesisyon na talaga ako para maibigay na ‘yun sa pamilya namin kasi gusto ko na talagang maging nanay. Kasi gusto ko nang magmahal ng bata na sarili ko, na akin, na puwedeng-puwede, dahil nanay talaga ako,” stated Vice.
(Because of this I hope I can dwell a protracted life and make up my thoughts so I can provide a baby to my household as a result of I actually wish to grow to be a mom already. I wish to love a baby who’s my very own, as a result of I’m really a mom.)
Apart from Vice’s Greatest Actor win, Name Me Mom received third Greatest Image alongside Manila’s Best, in addition to the Gender Sensitivity Award.
The victories of I’mPerfect and Name Me Mom contribute to pushing the tales of lesser-heard communities into the mainstream, and sign the trail to a extra inclusive technique of storytelling by movie. – Rappler.com
