JM and Rita lead acting winners at Sinag Maynila 2025
Kapamilya JM De Guzman and Kapuso Rita Daniela copped the Best Actor and Best Actress awards at this year’s edition of the Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival.
The actor’s performance as the law firm messenger Julius in “Selda Tres” and the actress-singer’s role as a rural, dedicated teacher Araceli in “Madawag ang Landas Patungong Pag-Asa” were recognized during the filmfest’s closing event last Sunday.
JM and Rita worked under the tutelage of directors GB Sampedro and Joel Lamangan, respectively.
“This is my second,” said Rita about her acting win in a recent group chat, following the Sinag Maynila Gabi ng Parangal. “My first one was from an international film festival in Manhattan. It was (for) the movie ‘Huling Ulan sa Tag-Araw’ by direk Louie Ignacio naman.”
Available online information says that her portrayal of a bar entertainer and family breadwinner named Luisa earned for Rita the jury prize for Best Performance in a Feature Film at the 2022 International Film Festival Manhattan.
“Ito talagang, uy, (for this one), I didn’t expect kasi three years na po namin itong nagawa, eh (we completed ‘Madawag ang Landas Patungong Pag-Asa three years ago),” added she.
“Nagulat na lang ako na (I’m surprised that) it’s part of Sinag Maynila, and then, yun ang bilis ng pangyayari (things happened so quickly).”
And it took three years for Rita to finally watch the entirety of the film and the hard work she put into it.
“Actually, pinag-uusapan po namin ni direk GB kanina yung pagpunta nga dito, kung ano ang i-ni-expect namin (me and my director were talking about our expectations coming to the event),” said JM about his latest accolade and his mindset attending the awards night in another group chat. “Sabi namin, wala kaming i-ni-expect at all (we said we were not expecting anything).”
Following his train of thought, one could glean that he would have high hopes coming into film festivals in the past and go home empty-handed.
“So ever since that, I’ve been going to film festivals without any expectations,” said he. “I’m just there to support our team (and) our film, and earlier, I was really surprised.”
Yes, his name was called as the Best Actor winner.
During the chat, JM was also asked about an aspect of his performance that won the hearts of the jurors. His reply was: “Hindi ko rin po alam (I also don’t know). Tinanong ko rin sa direktor ko ba’t ako nanalo (I also asked my director about that). Sabi niya na pag-mix ko daw yung love, yung action, yung drama and comedy dun sa film (he said that I was able to mix love, action, drama and comedy in the film). Maybe that’s the reason.”
As for her portrayal, Rita shared that she found the role different and had to be on her toes three days after receiving the script.
“Honestly, nakulangan po ako sa preparasyon, sa oras para aralin si Araceli kasi isa siyang guro (I felt I never had enough preparation and time to learn the role of a teacher),” said she. “I’ve never portrayed someone like her (before).”
Rita also recalled her previous characters such as Aubrey, a woman who fell in love with “a man with mild intellectual disability,” in “My Special Tatay;” Jowalyn, a maritime student and seafarer in “One of the Baes;” and Mia, a young wife who lived with a husband suffering from Dissociative Identity Disorder in “Ang Dalawang Ikaw.”
“So, this one (Araceli) is really different, and I got scared because I said, how will I make her distinct, I mean with the voice and also how she is when she gets angry,” said she.
“I also really couldn’t go all out with my voice because I was afraid you might hear Aubrey,” added she, who was also grateful for the help of her friend, Jo Macasa, a director and acting coach, in creating the character.
In her acceptance speech, Rita thanked her director Joel, also one of her mentors, and said, “He’s also one of my fathers in show business, who has been guiding me since I was 14 years old,” acknowledging his contribution to making her the Best Actress of the night.
She also expressed her gratitude to the Lord, New Sunrise Film, the GMA network and Sparkle GMA Artist Center.
Rita also dedicated the award to her son Uno, saying: “I hope if you watch this film one day, I hope nanay makes you proud.”
For his part, JM said he was glad to be nominated and be part of the Sinag Maynila filmfest. He also thanked director GB, the entire team of “Selda Tres,” including co-stars Cesar Montano and Carla Abellana, Star Magic and Dulaang UP.
JM might also be seen in another film, and he has an upcoming TV series, “What Lies Beneath.”
Below is the list of winners:
Best Film — “Madawag Ang Landas Patungong Pag-asa”
Best Director — Topel Lee for “Jeongbu”
Best Actor — JM De Guzman, “Selda Tres”
Best Actress — Rita Daniela, “Madawag Ang Landas Patungong Pag-asa”
Best Screenplay — Eric Ramos, “Madawag Ang Landas Patungong Pag-asa”
Best Cinematography — AB Garcia, “Jeongbu”
Best Editing — Crishel Desuasido, “Jeongbu
Best Music — Von De Guzman, “Madawag Ang Landas Patungong Pag-asa”
Best Production Design — Jay Custodio, “Madawag Ang Landas Patungong Pag-asa”
Best Sound — Fatima Nerikka Salim and Immanuel Verona, “Jeongbu”
People’s Choice Award — “Selda Tres” by GB Sampedro
Best Documentary, open category — “Oscar’s Recipe”
Jury Prize — “Mga Bayaning Ayta”
Best Documentary, student category — “Sa Wakas, Kasama”
Second Best Documentary — “Pendiyente”
Third Best Documentary — “Romeo and Julie”
Special Citation — “Daungan ng mga Naghihintay”
Best Short Film, open category — “Ang Gadya Sang Suba” (The Tale of the River Monster)
Jury Prize for Animation — “Nagahanaw Na Mga Aninipot: (Vanishing Fireflies)
Special Citation for Best Performance — Precious Paula Nicole for “Lip Sync Assassin”
Best Short Film, student category — “Taga-taga” (Praying Mantis)
Jury Prize — “Walahanon” (Left)
Special Citation for Best Performance — Phillip Altejos for “Boi”
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