MANILA, PHILIPPINES, APRIL 30, 2021 -- The 4th Entertainment Editors’ Choice (Eddys) awarding ceremony, which was held virtually for the first time, hailed the best in Philippine Cinema from 2020 and gave out special recognitions to industry partners, greats, and icons.

Organized by the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd), The Eddys was streamed worldwide for free on April 4 at the FDCP Channel with simulcasts on the SPEEd Facebook page and the YouTube channels and Facebook accounts or pages of some SPEEd members.

“Fan Girl” was the big winner of the night, taking home seven awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay for Antoinette Jadaone, Best Sound for Vincent Villa, and Best Editing for Benjamin Tolentino.

Batangas 6th District Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto presented the Best Actress award to Charlie Dizon of “Fan Girl” while Aktor Chairman of the Board Dingdong Dantes presented the Best Actor award to Paulo Avelino, also of “Fan Girl.” Santos-Recto and Dantes are past Eddys winners.

In a surprise segment, The Eddys presented two Special Service Awards to Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño and the national film agency’s Disaster/Emergency Assistance and Relief (DEAR) Program.

Established in March 2020, the DEAR Program is FDCP’s quick response fund that provides financial assistance to stakeholders who are directly affected by a major natural disaster or public health emergency such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This disaster-triggered funding mechanism is activated every time the President of the Philippines declares a public emergency or a State of Calamity in the country. 

The FDCP has released PHP 27 million from its reallocated funds to aid 4,100 film and audiovisual workers who each received PHP 5,000 to PHP 8,000 through DEAR ACTION! for displaced freelance AV content workers, DEAR PRESS! for displaced freelance entertainment press, and DEAR LIVE! for displaced freelance AV live performance workers.

“This is not for me, this is for the agency and sa bumubuo ng FDCP na talagang dedicated and committed to serve the industry. We’re here for you and we’re here to support. And mula noon hanggang ngayon, hindi po nagbago ‘yung commitment namin para makapagsilbi sa industriya. Maraming, maraming salamat po dahil andiyan kayo para sumuporta sa lahat ng inisyatibo namin. Hindi po ito magagawa nating lahat kung hindi tayo magtutulungan at hindi tayo magkakaisa,” Diño said in her acceptance speech. 

Public service from the heart 

SPEEd President Ian Fariñas noted that The Eddys Service Award is “given to those who have gone above and beyond the demands and responsibilities of duty. Serbisyong mula sa puso at serbisyong walang pinipili.”

After the special awards presentation, a tribute video featuring members from the film industry, entertainment press, and the FDCP was shown. DEAR ACTION! beneficiary Ferdinand Reyes, a tent caretaker, along with DEAR PRESS! beneficiaries  Allan Sancon, Pilar Mateo, Peter Ledesma, Erlinda Rapadas, Enie Reyes, and Julie Bonifacio expressed gratitude for the cash financial aid that they received amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The more than 400 freelance workers of CMB Film Services, Inc., such as propsmen and crew, also benefited from the DEAR ACTION! Program. CMB Film Services, Inc. President  Jaime “Jim” G. Baltazar stated, “Ang dedikasyon ni Chair Liza ay iba. Iba sa pagtulong at pagsagawa ng mga plataporma at makatulong sa ating industriyang ito.”

The FDCP, represented by Executive Director Ria Anne Rubia, Office of the Chairperson and CEO Chief of Staff David Fabros, and FilmPhilippines Office Program Supervisor Nicolo Cabanela also thanked the beneficiaries as well as Chairperson Diño.

“DEAR would not have been possible without the leadership and heart of our Chairperson and CEO, Chair Liza. We were able to also recognize the importance of talagang helping our sector,” said Rubia. “We are grateful to be able to serve the industry and provide programs and continue working together with the industry to help it develop and grow despite these challenging times.”

Diño took the time to further express her thankfulness for the DEAR beneficiaries: “More than the award, what was really special about this recognition was the tribute video featuring the recipients of DEAR. To see your faces and hear your voices was such a heartwarming experience. Sa ating mga workers — mga technical crew, production staff, at reporters, thank you so much. Nakakawala po ng pagod.”

Other special awards

The 4th Eddys, hosted by Robi Domingo, handed out more special awards such as the Joe Quirino Award for columnist and television and radio host Lolit Solis for, Manny Pichel Award for entertainment columnist Mario Bautista, Rising Producers’ Circle for Blacksheep Productions, and Producer of the Year for The IdeaFirst Company.

Veterans Gloria Sevilla, Ronaldo Valdez, Pilar Pilapil, Boots Anson-Rodrigo, Gina Pareño, Dante Rivero, Tommy Abuel, Caridad Sanchez, Joel Lamangan, and Ricky Lee received The Eddys Icon Awards while departed legends Peque Gallaga, Tony Mabesa, Menggie Cobarrubias, Ramon Revilla, Sr. and Tony Ferrer were given posthumous recognitions.

The Isah V. Red (IVR) Award, launched in honor and memory of SPEEd’s late founding president, was given to Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr., Angel Locsin, Kim Chiu, Ramon Ang, Rei Anicoche-Tan, and Claire de Leon-Papa for their humanitarian efforts toward alleviating conditions of people adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The winners and special awardees of the 4th edition of The Eddys:

Best Picture

“Fan Girl” by Antoinette Jadaone - WINNER

“Hayop Ka! The Nimfa Dimaano Story” by Avid Liongoren

“He Who Is Without Sin” by Jason Paul Laxamana

“The Boy Foretold By The Stars” by Dolly Dulu

“UnTrue” by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo

Best Director

Sigrid Andrea Bernardo (“UnTrue”)

Antoinette Jadaone (“Fan Girl”) - WINNER

Jason Paul Laxamana (“He Who Is Without Sin”)

Avid Liongoren (“Hayop Ka! The Nimfa Dimaano Story”) 

Irene Emma Villamor (“On Vodka, Beers and Regrets”) 

Best Actress 

Charlie Dizon (“Fan Girl”) - WINNER

Coleen Garcia (“Mia”)

Bela Padilla (“On Vodka, Beers and Regrets”)

Cristine Reyes (“UnTrue”)

Sylvia Sanchez (“Coming Home”) 

Best Actor 

John Arcilla (“Suarez: The Healing Priest”)

Paulo Avelino (“Fan Girl”) - WINNER

Elijah Canlas (“He Who Is Without Sin”)

Adrian Lindayag (“The Boy Foretold By The Stars”)

JC Santos (“Motel Acacia”)

Best Supporting Actress 

Via Antonio (“Alter Me”)

Rhen Escaño (“UnTrue”)

Agot Isidro (“Motel Acacia”)

Sanya Lopez (“Isa Pang Bahaghari”)

Shaina Magdayao (“Tagpuan”) - WINNER

Best Supporting Actor 

Ricky Davao (“Sunday Night Fever”)

Matteo Guidicelli (“On Vodka, Beers and Regrets”)

Edgar Allan Guzman (“Coming Home”) - WINNER

Zanjoe Marudo (“Isa Pang Bahaghari”) 

Enzo Pineda (“He Who Is Without Sin”)

Best Screenplay

Manny Angeles and Paulle Olivenza (“Hayop Ka! The Nimfa Dimaano Story”)

Dolly Dulu (“The Boy Foretold By The Stars”)

Antoinette Jadaone (“Fan Girl”) - WINNER

Jason Paul Laxamana (“He Who Is Without Sin”)

Eric Ramos (“Isa Pang Bahaghari”)

Best Cinematography

Neil Daza (“Fan Girl”)

Rody Lacap (“Magikland”) - WINNER

Emmanuel Liwanag (“He Who Is Without Sin”)

Larry Manda (“Motel Acacia”)

Boy Yñiguez (“UnTrue”)

Best Visual Effects

Jether Amar, Stephanie Atento, Geri Cruz, Kevin Makasiar, Ariel Mantaring, Joshua Panelo and Anne May Sy (“Hayop Ka! The Nimfa Dimaano Story”)

Mark Anthony Bersola, Aileen Cornejo-Castillo, Cedie Ebarle, Charmane Espiritu, Arvin Javier, John Kenneth Paclibar, Mark Rico, Leizel Senarita and Phillip Bryan Valenzuela (“Block Z”)

Richard Francis and Ryan Grimarez (“Magikland”) - WINNER

Luminous Films (“The Missing”)

White Light Post (“Motel Acacia”)

Best Musical Score

Teresa Barrozo (“Fan Girl”)

Kean Cipriano (“On Vodka, Beers and Regrets”) - WINNER

Paulo Protacio (“He Who Is Without Sin”)

Paulo Protacio (“The Boy Foretold By The Stars”) - WINNER

Emerzon Texon (“Magikland”)

Best Production Design

Ferdie Abuel (“Fan Girl”)

Lars Magbanua (“He Who Is Without Sin”) 

Marxie Maolen Fadul (“Untrue”)

Ericson Navarro (“Magikland”) - WINNER

Benjamin Padero and Carlo Tabije (“Motel Acacia”)

Best Sound

Albert Michael Idioma and Alex Tomboc (“Magikland”)

Dennis Cham (“Untrue”)

Mikko Quizon, John Michael Perez, Aeriel Mallari and Daryl Libongco (“Hayop Ka! The Nimfa Dimaano Story”)

Vincent Villa (“Motel Acacia”)

Vincent Villa (“Fan Girl”) - WINNER

Best Editing

Mai Calapardo (“He Who Is Without Sin”)

Manet Dayrit and She Lopez Francia (“Magikland”)

Marya Ignacio (“Untrue”)

Avid Liongoren (“Hayop Ka! The Nimfa Dimaano Story”)

Benjamin Tolentino (“Fan Girl”) - WINNER

Best Original Theme Song

“Ganyan Ang Pag-ibig Ko” by Lito Camo (“Coming Home”)

“Smile” by Emerzon Texon (“Magikland”)

“Tayo’y Maglagalag” by Vincent de Jesus (“Motel Acacia”)

“Ulan” by Jhaye Cura/Pau Protacio (“The Boy Foretold By The Stars”) - WINNER

“Yakapin Mo Ako” by Joven Tan (“Suarez: The Healing Priest”).

Isah V. Red (IVR) Award 

Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr.

Angel Locsin

Kim Chiu

Ramon Ang

Rei Anicoche-Tan

Claire de Leon-Papa 

EDDYS Icon Awards 

Gloria Sevilla

Ronaldo Valdez

Pilar Pilapil

Boots Anson-Rodrigo

Gina Pareño

Dante Rivero

Tommy Abuel

Caridad Sanchez

Joel Lamangan

Ricky Lee

Posthumous Recognitions

Peque Gallaga

Tony Mabesa

Menggie Cobarrubias

Ramon Revilla, Sr. 

Tony Ferrer

Joe Quirino Award

Lolit Solis 

Manny Pichel Award

Mario Bautista 

Rising Producers’ Circle

Blacksheep Productions 

Producer of the Year

The IdeaFirst Company

Eddys Service Award

Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño 

FDCP’s Disaster/Emergency Assistance and Relief (DEAR) Program