Acting coach, newbie teen win Cinemalaya 2019 lead honors

PLAYING the role of a patient and loving grandmother to an autisctic boy, Ruby Ruiz was named Best Actress for her title role in “Iska” at the Cinemalaya 2019 Awards at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) on Sunday night.

Named Best Actor was 15-year-old Jansen Magpusao for his role as the bullied student in “John Denver Trending” using Kinaray-a as language of the film, subtitled in English.

Considered a regional movie, “John Denver Trending” was declared Best Film in the Full-length Feature category. Early on, the movie won Best Musical Score, Best Editing, Best Cinematography. It also won the Netpac Jury Prize.

Best Supporting Actor was Ricky Davao for “Fuccbois” and Ella Cruz was Best Supporting Actor for “Edward.”

Eduardo Roy Jr. was named Best Director for “Fuccbois.”He also directed the award-winning “Pamilya Ordinaryo” previously.

Other winners in the Full-length Feature category were “Iska” for Best Sound Design and Best Screenplay; Best Production Design for “Edward” which also won the Special Jury Prize.

Audience Choice Award was “Belle Doleur” by Joji Alonzo.

For the Short Film category, named Best Film was “‘Wag Mo ‘Kong Kausapin” by Josef Dielle Gacutan; Best Director was Don Senoc for “Sa Among Agwat;” Best Screenplay was “Kontrolado Ni Girly Ang Buhay N’ya;” Special Mention was “Hele Ng Maharlika;” Special Jury Award was “Tembong;” Netpac Special Jury Prize was “Sa Among Agwat” and Netpac Jury Prize was “Disconnection Notice.”

Shorts Audience Choice Award was “Heist School.”