For best actor, most quarters also agree that Eddie Garcia has a clear edge because of his touching performance in “Rainbow’s Sunset” as a senior citizen who defies convention and comes out of the closet in his 80s. Other actors who might also be nominated include Jericho Rosales playing a big movie actor in “The Girl in the Orange Dress” and Dennis Trillo as the guy who falls in love with her best friend in “One Great Love”.
For best actress, the list of those who are predicted to compete is headed by Kim Chiu as the conflicted heroine of “One Great Love” torn between two lovers, Dennis Trillo and JC De Vera. It’s Kim’s most mature role and portrayal to date and those who’ve seen the film all agree that she acquitted herself quite well.
Then there’s Anne Curtis as the haunted heroine in “Aurora”. In terms of length of exposure, Anne is the most visible of all the actresses with a filmfest entry as she’s practically in every scene of the movie and she gives a fine, muted performance. Next is Jessy Mendiola playing the title role of “The Girl in the Orange Dress”, an endearing romantic comedy about an ordinary girl who gets entangled in a ticklish and hilarious situation with a famous star. Then there's Toni Gonzaga who gets entangled in a love triangle with her own sister Alex in "Mary, Marry Me".Honestly, though, we place our bet on Gloria Romero to win as best actress in “Rainbow’s Sunset”. As the patient and very understand wife of a bisexual man, she doesn’t resort to hysterics at all and gives a muted, understated performance even in her scenes with her quarreling three children, maintaining her dignity and equanimity throughout all the emotional scenes.
As for the supporting performances, the ones who give the strongest portrayal for us are Tirso Cruz III as the eldest son in “Rainbow’s Sunset” who acknowledges that he is a weakling who has done some very stupid things and Aiko Melendez as the bullheaded, domineering daughter who tries her best to be always in control of any situation.
These are our personal choices. But we all wish well everyone who has entry as they all have a chance to win tonight. Our final wish is for all the entries to do well at the box office so that producers will get back their investment and for the local film industry to continue to flourish, be alive and well in 2019 and the years to come.