Actress, singer and TV host Toni Gonzaga admitted that she did not expect to win when she attended the 63rd Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) Awards last Sunday night, September 20.
Toni won her first Best Actress award for her role in Olivia Lamasan’s Starting Over Again. The actress said that she was originally there only to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Eat Bulaga! hosts Joey de Leon, and Vic and Tito Sotto.
“I still couldn’t believe I won until I was handed the trophy,” she added. Toni also won Female Face of the Night, alongside the Male Face of the Night, actor Richard Gutierrez.
Meanwhile, Allen Dizon was on a roll this year as he received his eighth Best Actor award for his performance as a coffin maker in Jason Paul Laxamana’s film, Magkakabaung.”
In an interview with the Inquirer, Allen said that although he has won best actor for the same role in different international film festivals in New York, Hanoi and Dublin; the award from FAMAS is different.
“It’s still different and more memorable if the award you get is from fellow Filipinos,” he said and then added, “There’s nothing more fulfilling than being recognized by your own people.
Other winners in this year’s FAMAS Awards are:
Best Film – Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo
Best Director – Enzo Williams (Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo)
Best Supporting Actress – Sylvia Sanchez (The Trial)
Best Supporting Actor – Gabby Eigenmann (Asintado)
Best Child Performer – Miggs Cuaderno (Asintado)
Best Screenplay and Story – The Trial / Ricky Lee, Enrico Santos and Kriz Gazmen
Best Cinematography – Carlo Mendoza (Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo)
Best Original Theme Song – Hindi Pa Tapos ang Laban by Gloc 9 (Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo)
Best Production Design – Roy Lahica and Joel Bilbao (Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo)
Best Editing – Carlo Francisco Manatad (Feng Shui 2)
Best Sound – Addiss Tabong (Feng Shui 2)
Best Musical Score – Cesar Francisco (She’s Dating the Gangster)
Best Visual Effects – Erick Torrente (Magnum Muslim .357)
Film Critics Choice Award – Elwood Perez’s Esoterika: Maynila
Special awards
Public Service – Kaye Dacer and Julius Babao
Dr. Jose Perez Memorial Award – Lhar Santiago
Arturo Padua Memorial Award – Emy Abuan
FAMAS Presidential Awardee – Dr. Marcelo Ramirez
