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John Lloyd on 'Honor Thy Father' controversy: 'Kapag mahal mo, ipaglalaban mo'


 

 

Presenting himself as a lover of Philippine cinema, John Lloyd Cruz on Wednesday vowed to continue the fight for changes in the Metro Manila Film Festival amid the controversy surrounding his film "Honor Thy Father."

"Nandito po ako dahil mahal ko ang pelikulang Pilipino," Cruz said at a press conference at the Batasan Pambansa complex, where he attended a hearing by the House Committee on Metro Manila Development.

"At kung may natutunan man ako sa dami-dami ng pelikulang nagawa ko, iyan po ay mapa-romcom man o indie ay iyan po na kapag mahal po, ipaglalaban mo," he added.

The hearing is meant to probe the issue surrounding the film's disqualification for MMFF Best Picture. Cruz expressed hope that it would lead to reforms in the festival.

"Ang punto ko lang po ay hindi kaya may malaking potensyal na nawawala kapag hindi natin binibigyan ng espasyo ang iba't ibang pelikula natin," he said.

"Sana naman ho sa pagdating ng Mayo at Hunyo kung kailan po pinipili ang mga susunod na entries ng MMFF ay may konkretong pagbabago na nang sa gayon ang MMFF ay pagmulan ng inspirasyon sa halip na pagdududa at kahihiyan," he added.

Honor Thy Father producers cried injustice when they were disqualified from the Best Picture category a day before the MMFF awards night on December 27.

Walang Forever was declared the film festival's best picture and Jericho Rosales bagged the best actor award for his role in the movie.

"Yun ang problema ko kasi nominated ako for best actor. Kung nanalo ako I would've said something like, 'If I won saan binase ang best actor kasi disqualified ang movie.' I was ready to not accept the award," Cruz said.

Cruz said would not say if "Honor Thy Father" should have won the Best Picture award, but said that they should have been given the chance to compete in the category by the Metro Manila Film Festival's executive committee.

The film's director Erik Matti won the best director category, but he did not attend the awards night.

The other award won by Honor Thy Father include best child performer, best theme song, best makeup artist and best supporting actor. —JST, GMA News

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