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2 UAE-based Pinoys win best actor award in Singapore, Turkey
Two Filipino actors in the United Arab Emirates have been recognized for their craft during the World Film Carnival in Singapore, and the Halicarnassus Film Festival in Turkey.
Ron Jordan De Ocampo, a 31-year-old sales associate at the Shades Global in Dubai, has played as Jepoy, the leading character in “Apo” (Grandchild), a production of the Kikoman Films (KMF)
“I definitely expect that our film would bag awards – the film’s plot is not something that viewers would predict – but it was out of my radar that I will be the ‘Best Actor’ during the World Film Carnival in Singapore,” he admitted in an interview via Messenger on December 11.
De Ocampo has been in the other award-winning film projects of the KMF like the “Langay-Langayan sa Nanunuyong Palayan”, “Pamilya Braces”, and “Angas” but “Apo” is the first film that has featured him as the leading character.
“’Apo’ has brought into light the realities of living on the street. I was clueless on how the street-dwellers survive life especially in this time of pandemic but when I have soaked myself in the script, as if I was brought into trance and felt their every ordeal. What made it more memorable for me was the very foundation of love; that one would do everything for the sake of his loved ones even if it would affect his morals, body, and life.”
Benjohn Tamayo, on the other hand, the co-founder of i.Flex Fitness, has played the leading character in “Puti” (The White), also a production of the Kikoman Films (KMF).
“I did not expect to win as ‘Best Actor’ during the Halicarnassus Film Festival in Turkey. I just always gave all the best of my capabilities and poured all my heart into what I always love doing, which is acting, music and helping people to be fit,” the fitness trainer added in an interview via Messenger on December 11.
Tamayo was also the head of the music department of the KMF.
He was the one who created the theme song for this film that he entitled “Marikit” as well as the theme song for “Apo” that he entitled “Kubli.”
“’Puti’ is not my first project with KMF but it is my first protagonist role and first horror love story film. I usually love playing different characters – the more unrecognizable I become the better I can test my effectiveness as an actor.”
“Through this film, I learned to not give up on my passion and stay genuine. And for that, I would like to thank our director Francis L J Gacer, cast and crew Anne Barredo, Meljun Villoria, Cary Dimacutac, Billy Billones, JM Yldefonso, Merrick Natal, Allyson Sadian, and talent coordinators Joseph Binayao, Jenelyn Empasis, and to the rest of the KMF team.” —LBG, GMA News
