Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Filipino actor Paolo Ballesteros wins the Best Actor award at the 29th Tokyo International Film Festival for his remarkable performance in “Die Beautiful.”
And true to his movie role, he received the award on Thursday — in style.
Ballesteros dressed up as Hollywood actress Julia Roberts, in full hair and make-up and clad in a gold serpentina dress and pristine white gloves.
Leading up to the awarding, the presenter said the Best Actor award goes to the actor whose performance brought the judges to a journey between fiction and reality.
The presenter, Mabel Chung, added that Ballesteros showed his ability to show his inner most vulnerability.
Near tears, Ballesteros thanked the people behind the film, his family, and his supporters in the Philippines and around the globe.
“To all those who watched our film, I will never forget you,” he said.
Ballesteros also joked he thought he was up for the Best Actress award.
More awards
The film by Jun Lana also won the festival’s Audience Choice Award.
“Receiving this award convinced me that the film strengthened the bond beyond language and the race,” Lana said.
In the film, Ballesteros plays Trisha, a transgender woman whose last wish was to be laid to rest as Lady Gaga.
During the film’s opening night, Ballesteros wowed the crowd when he walked the red carpet dressed as Angelina Jolie.
