SUNDAY night at the historical Metropolitan Theater (Met) in Manila saw the first and most impressive gathering of the Philippine movie industry’s biggest names since the pandemic. A glittering sight to behold, it’s all thanks to the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors’ (SPEEd) annual EDDYS or Entertainment Editors’ Choice.

Now in its fifth year, albeit the long pandemic, it was clear The Eddys has maintained its prestige as a credible award-winning body and star-studded event

SPEEd — a select group of entertainment editors from the country’s top newspapers and tabloids circulated daily nationwide — first staged the EDDYS in 2017 and easily positioned itself as a significant element of the film industry.

The Eddys soon became one of the most distinguished film awards due partly to its immense diversity among the chosen titles and the editors’ expertise in knowing the pulse of the Filipino.

Another praised practice of the EDDYS is its effort to keep the winners’ names secret until the very moment they need to be announced on stage. At the risk of having an absentee winner, The Eddys continues to hope that one day artists will see awards nights as industry affairs everyone should support.

Back to The 5th Eddys, no less than ‘King of Talk’ Boy Abunda

hosted the well-attended ceremony. Following the dress code, actors, actresses, creatives and technical experts filled the theater donning their best modern Filipiniana appropriate for celebrating the top movies released on various platforms in 2021.

Charo Santos and Christian Bables continued their winning streak bagging Best Actress and Best Actor.

Santos won for her role as Norma in the drama film “Kun Maupay Man It Panahon (Whether the Weather is Fine). This is the same role that earlier won her a FAMAS and MMFF Best Actress plum.

Bables, meanwhile, won the top acting award for his role as Dharna/ Panfilo Macaspac, Jr. in the black comedy film, “Big Night!” Just before The EDDYS, Bables won the 19th Asian Film Festival Best Actor award this year for the same role.

Completing the winners of the top acting awards were Lotlot de Leon (“On The Job: The Missing 8”) and Mon Confiado (“Arisaka”) who won Best Supporting Actress and

Best Supporting Actor respectively.

The biggest winner of the night, however, was “On The Job: The Missing 8” — the 2021 film thriller of Erik Matti, which snagged eight acting, creative and technical EDDYS awards, including major recognitions for Best Picture, Best Director for Matti, Best Musical Score (tied with “Big Night” and “Love is Color Blind”), Best Visual Effects, Best Editing, and Best Cinematography.

Other deserving wins were of “Big Night,” (Best Screenplay, Best Actor) and “Kun Maupay Man It Panahon” (Best Production Design, Best Actress).

Sunday night likewise saw TV reporter Mario Dumaual receiving the Joe Quirino Award; Eric Ramos, the Manny Pichel Award; Rein Entertainment, Rising Producers’ Circle, and Viva Films, Producer of the Year.

Iconic

Like before, the highlight of the evening was given to the year’s selected EDDYS Icons, namely Phillip Salvador, Roi Vinzon, Divina Valencia and Alma Moreno.

As singer Jona sang “Ngayon at Kailanman,” the honorees went up the stage to receive their awards, reminiscing their such storied careers.

Said action star and dramatic actor Salvador, “Ang sarap po palang maging ‘Icon.’ Ninenerbiyos ako ngayon kahit ang tagal ko na dito sa industriya.”

Before ending his speech, he thoughtfully reminded new actors and actresses to love their craft and the Philippine movie industry to ensure longevity.

Acclaimed character actor Roi Vinzon took the opportunity to thank the people who gave him his break in the industry.

“Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat. Mga direktor na nagturo sa akin kung paano gumalaw. Kay Levi Ignacio kaya natuto akong umarte sa aksyon. Again thank you so much.”

Onscreen bombshell turned dramatic actress Moreno, meanwhile, savored her recognition, saying it was a first.

“Nano-nominate din ako noon sa awards’ nights. Pero ganito pala ang makahawak ng trophy. Ang sarap po ng pakiramdam! Thank you, EDDYS! Magiging inspirasyon ko ito,” Moreno humbly noted. Finally, ‘60s sex symbol Divi na Valencia beamed as she received her icon’s trophy.

“Buong kagalakan sa aking

puso at pagpapakumbaba na tanggapin ang tropeyong ito na nagsasagisag na isa ako sa Icons ng Philippine Movie.”

Directed by Ice Seguerra, the well-received production further featured heartfelt and energized performances by Zephanie Maranan, Regine Tolentio with the Dance Royalties and Seguerra himself who sang a very poigniant “Minsan Ang Minahal ay Ako” for the traditional in memoriam segment.