Indi Film Kubrador Reaps Awards

MANILA, Philippines - Another big local award for Kubrador, making the film a recipient of ten local awards with 11 international awards on the side.

Kubrador (illegal gambling bet collecter) was hailed by the 29th Catholic Mass Media Awards for best cinema last Thursday evening at the Marie Eugenie Theater of the Assumption, Assumption College.

It was the film's lead actress Gina Pareño who received the award on behalf of MLR Films. Producer Atty. Joji Antonio was still in Spain, attending the 26th Valencia International Film Festival where Kubrador itself was being screened.

Director Jeffrey Jeturian could not get away from work, finishing the day for a soap. So it was Gina who was around (with daughter Raquel driving her there and acted as escort).

Again Gina was ecstatic knowing that the CMMA is a prestigious award-giving body for the whole of media and they single out only few in each field each year.

This is the 10th accolade to this small movie with a big heart, the most awarded this year with 5 from Urian, three from Tanglaw and the Star Awards for best actress.

The awards caravan isn't through yet for Kubrador. There are still two award-giving bodies here which haven't held theirs. And it has been invited to more than 50 film festivals with a few more to go.

In fact, the Geneva invitation for its Festival de Films des Autres Mondes, the movie Kubrador is in competition for distribution prize in Switzerland.

This 18th edition of this film festival will be on February 1 to 10 next year.(Billy Balbastro/Abante)