Cinemalaya 2010 Winners: Lovi Poe, Baron Geisler, Meryll Soriano and more

Mykiru's First Catch

The 6th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival has ended tonight, July 18, via an awarding ceremony held just awhile ago at the CCP Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo or the CCP Main Theater.

Cinemalaya 2010 big winners were "Halaw" and " Mayohan" under the New Breed Category with 4 awards each while Mark Meily's "Donor" and Gil Portes' "Two Funerals" led the films under Director's Showcase category by winning 5 honors apiece.

As for the acting awards, two young stars were honored in the Full Length Films (New Breed of Directors) category: Lovi Poe, who won as Best Actress for "Mayohan", and LJ Reyes as Best Supporting Actress for "The Leaving".

Lovi was escorted by his new leading man Rocco Nacino during the awards night. In a text message to Mykiru right after she received the award, Lovi was obviously so thrilled about winning as Best Actress: "I'm so happy and excited. Di pa rin ako makapaniwala. I'm very honored to have won Best Actress. This will inspire me to do even better."

In 2008, Lovi already won as Best New Movie Actress for Shake, Rattle & Roll 9. But since it was an award for newbies, her Cinemalaya Best Actress victory now makes her a certified award-winning young actress.

LJ, on one hand, who is in the US and already in her 9th month pregnancy, has known about the award only on Twitter when PEP / Abante Tonite writer Allan Diones told her about it.

It's morning now in the US and LJ has just woke up when she got the good news. "Just woke up to a very honoring news! Thank you!!! Iba yata talaga swerte ng buntis! I feel heaven!" her tweet said.

As if accepting an award personally, LJ gave her short "thank you" speech on Twitter: "Thanks you Lord! Thanks The Leaving. Ian and Ate Kat! This is so overwhelming! Nakakaiyak naman!"

Baron Geisler and Meryll Soriano meanwhile were Best Actor and Actress for the film "Donor" which was part of the Director's Showcase category. They now become "Cinemalaya favorites" because it's their 2nd time to win in the festival.

Meryll was the 1st ever Cinemalaya Best Actress in 2005 for "Room Boy" while Baron won as Best Actor for "Jay" in 2008.

And here's the complete list of winners in the Cinemalaya 2010:

FULL LENGTH FEATURE (NEW BREED OF DIRECTORS) CATEGORY:
Best Film: Halaw
Special Jury Prize - Sampaguita, National Flower
Audience Choice - Magkakapatid
Director - Sheron Dayoc (Halaw)
Actress - Lovi Poe (Mayohan)
Actor - John Arcilla (Halaw)
Supporting Actress - LJ Reyes (The Leaving)
Supporting Actor - Emilio Garcia (Rekrut)
Screenplay - Mayohan
Cinematography - Mayohan and The Leaving (tie)
Production Design - The Leaving
Editing - Halaw
Musical Score - Mayohan
Sound Recording - Rekrut

OPEN (DIRECTOR'S SHOWCASE) CATEGORY:
Best Film - Donor
Special Jury Prize - Two Funerals
Audience Choice - Two Funerals
Director - Gil Portes (Two Funerals)
Actress - Meryll Soriano (Donor)
Actor - Baron Geisler (Donor)
Supporting Actress - Karla Pambid (Donor)
Supporting Actor - Tirso Cruz III (Sigwa)
Screenplay - Two Funerals
Cinematography - Two Funerals
Production Design - Donor
Editing - Pink Halo Halo

SHORT FILMS CATEGORY:
Best Film - Wag Kang Titingin
Special Jury Prize - "P"
Audience Choice - "P"
Director - Rommel 'Milo' Tolentino ("P")
Screenplay - Harang

NETPAC winner: Sheika

Congrats to all the winners!

Special thanks to Mr. Leo Dominguez for texting me the results straight from the CCP Theater