Cebuanos shine in film competition

CEBU, Philippines - Cebuano talents won big in this year's Cinema One Originals.

Filmmaker Keith Deligero won Best Director for "Lily", which also won Best Editing. Two of the movie's actors, Cebuana fillmmaker and actress, Natileigh Sitoy, and Rocky Salumbides, won Best Supporting Actress and Best Actor, respectively.

Sitoy is the daughter of the late PB member Arleigh Jay Sitoy who recently passed away.

"First of all, I want to thank God for guiding me and for giving the strength to not give up. To Cinema One Originals and the jury. Sir Ronald Arguelles thank you. To Direk Keith Barnard, for trusting me for the role. To the cast and crew of 'Lily', to Shaina Magdayao and especially Rocky Salumbides. Hindi ko ma-pull of ang scenes if hindi dahil sayo. To my mentors, Direk Brillante Mendoza, Tita Ruby Ruiz and Direk Rahyan Carlos," she said.

"Arleigh Jay C. Sitoy, this award is for you! I hope you're proud of me there in heaven. Your baby girl is one step ahead to her dreams," she added.

"Lily" won Best Editing.

Meanwhile, student filmmaker Niño Tecson, a Communication Arts student of the University of San Jose-Recoletos, won in the student film category for "No Seguir". (FREEMAN)