Golden Globe and BAFTA Nominee Dolly de Leon Receives Her First Acting Award in the PH
She is literally mother.
(SPOT.ph) Internationally acclaimed Filipino actress Dolly de Leon has finally received her first acting award in the Philippines—for an independent film at that!
The Best Supporting Actress Award for the 19th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival went to de Leon for her role as Rosalinda, the protagonist's mother, in Iti Mapukpukaw (The Missing). The Cinemalaya 2023 Awards Night was held at the Philippine International Convention Center on Sunday, August 13.
“Grabe, first time ko makatanggap ng award sa Pilipinas,” de Leon said in her speech. “Ang sarap pala ng feeling!”
Granted, this isn't her first local award, but it is her first time to accept one on stage. She won Outstanding Ensemble Performance for Tribes at the Philstage Gawad Buhay in 2017 and Best Supporting Actress for History of Ha at the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards (FAMAS) in 2020.
Iti Mapukpukaw also made history as the first animated full-length entry at Cinemalaya, which won the Best Film. The story follows the twists and turns of a mouthless young man's life as his memories untangle when an alien enters the picture.
It was a role that deeply excited de Leon, too. She said in a series of tweets before Iti Mapukpukaw's release: “I couldn’t be prouder of this first in my career as an actor. This film is also extra special to me because my character speaks Ilokano here—the language from my Dad’s side.”
If that’s not enough, de Leon also starred in another full-length Cinemalaya entry Ang Duyan ng Magiting, which won the Special Jury Prize.
Also read: Cinemalaya’s First Full-Length Animated Film Explores Trauma Through a Mouthless Protagonist
Dolly de Leon fulfills her dream of working in an independent film
Working in an independent film has always been a dream of de Leon.
“Pangarap ko talagang magtrabaho sa indie scene because 'yun 'yung mga stories that have never been told, untapped stories," de Leon was quoted as saying in a recent episode of Share Ko Lang. "You're working with true artists who really love the craft and [work] on a very small budget but they make it work anyway and make it effective. That's why I did that," she added.
“Thank you, @cinemalayaofficial jurors! Sa taranta ko hindi ako nakapag thank you sa inyo. Sarap ng feeling mapansin sa isa sa mga pinakanirerespeto kong indie film fest,” de Leon wrote in her Instagram caption.
She also thanked the director and writer of Iti Mapukpukaw, Carl Joseph Papa: “I need to thank you again and again and again. Thank you for Eric, for Carlo, for Rosalinda, for this film that gives hope to the wounded child in us. Shutang mga alien yan!”
De Leon has been on a roll since she starred in Triangle of Sadness, for which she received historic nominations at the Golden Globe Awards and the British Academy Film and Televison Awards (BAFTA).
"It really feels good to be validated after so many years. I've been used to just coasting along, taking job after job after job and just going home after work and going to sleep, then going back to work but now this,” de Leon said in an interview with ANC, referring to her international nominations. “It’s a message from the universe telling me na 'you're doing the right thing, ituloy mo lang 'yan.’”
Also read: Dolly de Leon Gets a Shoutout From Edgar Wright After Oscar Snub
What’s next for Dolly de Leon?
Last March, de Leon was signed on to join the cast of upcoming Amazon Studios action-comedy film Grand Death Lotto set in a near-future version of California. She'll be joining fellow stars in an ensemble cast led by John Cena, Simu Liu, and Awkwafina. No official release date has been announced yet.
In the Philippines, de Leon has just wrapped up shooting for the upcoming dark comedy A Very Good Girl with Kathryn Bernado. She plays a pretend mother for Star Cinema’s comeback film, which will be released in local theaters on September 27.
UPDATED (August 14, 2023): This article has been updated to add Dolly de Leon's other acting wins in the Philippines.