Enzo Pineda in the drama-thriller short film “As The Call, So The Echo.” | Image: Instagram/@its_enzopineda

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Actors Enzo Pineda and Romnick Sarmenta bagged the Best Actor awards at the 11th Emirates Film Festival (EFF) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for their respective full-length and short films.

Sarmenta won for his role in “Occupied,” where he played teacher-mentor to a troubled bright young student, while Pineda’s award was for his role in the movie short, “As The Call, So The Echo,” a gripping thriller about human organ trafficking.

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On Tuesday, Feb. 4, Pineda took to Instagram to share a screenshot of his statement where he dedicated the award to his fellow Filipinos in the industry.

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“I feel blessed and lucky to have been honored in a globally renowned film festival. This award is for all our Filipino brothers in the film industry,” he said.

READ: PMPC Star Awards for Television bares list of nominees

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The actor added that his win is a collective effort from the entire movie production. 

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“No man is an island, and it’s always a collective effort when it comes to creating award-winning projects. I’m thankful for the guidance of our director and scriptwriter, Direk Rusty. This award is for the whole team that worked on the movie,” he expressed.

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Image: Instagram/@its_enzopineda

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After winning the Best Supporting Actor award at the 2021 FAMAS for his role in Jason Paul Laxamana’s “He Who Is Without Sin, this recent victory marks Pineda’s first international acting trophy.

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Pineda rose to fame after joining “StarStruck” in 2009, where he finished as one of the runners-up. He then landed roles in the series “Tween Hearts,” “Ang Probinsyano,” “The Iron Heart,” and “Can’t Buy Me Love.”

Pineda is currently in a relationship with actress Michelle Vito for four years now.

Other winners

Aside from Sarmenta and Pineda, other Filipino filmmakers and actors won an award, or were nominated, among them “As The Call, So The Echo”  director, Rusty Palacio Guarin, who took home the Best Director award. Guarin’s movie also bagged nominations for Best Film and Best Child Actor.

Indie star Joseph Binayao was  also named Best Actor for his performance in “Post Parto,” while actresses Meljun Viloria De Ocampo and Mia Aquino were awarded Best Actress for their performance in “Post Parto” (short) and “Isa sa Isang Daan,” respectively.

Philippine trade undersecretary Allan Gepty, who is leading the negotiations happening in Dubai for the southeast Asian country, said they will hold talks until Wednesday to complete the remaining work for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

Another record session Friday on Wall Street crowned a sixth weekly gain in a row, but failed to carry over into Monday and inspire a similar rally elsewhere.

Jen Caisip was named Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the film “Abnegasyon.” The awarding body also honored April Pearl Delos Reyes for her debut filmgvg777, “Exit 59.”

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