Filipinos win honors in Hanoi International Filmfest

MANILA, Philippines — Christian Bables (left photo, with director Chito Roño) won Best Actor for Signal Rock in the fifth Hanoi International Film Festival (HANIFF) during the award ceremonies held at Vietnam-Soviet Friendship Cultural Palace on Oct. 31. Actress Angeli Bayani received the award on his behalf.

Produced and directed by Roño, the film (written by Rody Vera) was inspired by true events that took place in the island of Biri, Northern Samar in the ’90s. 

Bables plays Intoy Abakan who takes care of his family while his sister Vicky works as an OFW in Finland. In order for him to contact his sister, Intoy climbs the rock formations to get a signal and communicate. 

Signal Rock won the Critics’ Choice Award and Special Jury Award for Bables in the second Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino last August.  The film is the country’s submission to the Foreign Language Film category in the forthcoming 91st Academy Awards.

Also at the HANIFF in the Campus and Film Project Market, two Filipino filmmakers were honored: Crisanto “Sonny” Calvento (right at right photo) was the recipient of Best Talent for Directing/Producing, and John Denver Trending directed by Arden Rod Condez (left) was awarded as the Best Project.  Sonny is the son of the late veteran journalist Tony Calvento.