Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Filipino actor Paolo Ballesteros is all smiles as he greets his fans at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Saturday evening.
Paolo is back in Manila after winning the best actor award at the 29th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) in Japan for the film Die Beautiful which is directed by Jun Robles Lana.
Related: Paolo Ballesteros bags Best Actor award in Tokyo Int’l Film Fest
Ballesteros said, “Nasurprise kasi ako. Tinawagan nila ako the night before the awards night ang sabi kailangan kong bumalik ng Japan.“
[I was surprised. They called me the evening before the awards night and said I needed to return to Japan.]
He added, “It’s very humbling kasi first best actor tapos international pa. Hindi lang naman ako yung magaling dun eh, it’s the whole film.”
[it’s very humbling because it was my first best actor (award) – and an international one at that. I wasn’t the the only good one in the film, it’s the whole film.]
Paolo played the role of Trisha, a Filipino transgender beauty queen whose dying wish was to be dressed and made up as a Hollywood celebrity during her wake.
He says he dedicates the film to his family, his daughter, Keira, and the LGBT community.
Ballesteros said, “Sinabi ni direk Jun Lana na he started this film because of yung nangyari kay Jennifer Laude. Kaya niya naisip yung concept ng film is because of what happened to her na napatay pero parang ang sabi ng mga tao parang “buti nga sa kanya, she deserved na ganun nga.” So, dinededicate ko to sa mga kapatid, sisters natin sa LGBT na sana, hindi naman ganun and sa audience din na makita nila na respetuhin naman.
[Direk Jun Lana said he started this film because of what happened to Jennifer Laude. He came up with the concept of the film because when she was killed, people would comment, “she deserved what she got.” So I dedicate this to the LGBT community so they are not thought of that way, and that the audience realizes this and respects them.]
Paolo says he is still overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from Filipinos all over the world.
He said, “Nakikita ko puro Die Beautiful, Paolo Ballesteros, puro Tokyo Film Festival so nakakatuwa kasi super tuwang tuwa sila sobrang proud…sinasabi kasi nila proud na proud sila sa akin, proud na proud kami sa buong pelikula.“
[I keep seeing Die Beautiful, Paolo Ballesteros, Tokyo Film Festival, and I am so happy because people are so proud…they tell me they’re proud of me, they’re very proud of the whole film.]
Die Beautiful also got the audience choice award at the TIFF.
Paolo says their next goal is to get into the Metro Manila Film Festival so that more Filipinos can watch the film.
He said, “Sa Japan it was greatly received by the Japanese audience…but at the same time, ang priority niyang audience is Filipino audience so ang mga humor dun is for Filipinos…nagho-hope kami na sana, (since it was greatly received nga by the Japanese audience,) sana yung sariling atin din, magkaron din ng chance na mapanood yung pelikula namin.”
[It was greatly received by the Japanese audience, but at the same time, the Filipinos were the priority audience – so the humor was for Filipinos. We hope that – since it was greatly received by the Japanese audience – Filipinos also get the chance to see the film.]
The list of finalists for the Metro Manila Film Festival will be released on November 18.
