ERAP, CHARO, LAURICE & LAV THROUGH THE EYES OF COLLEAGUES, PEERS

THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDEES AT the third Film Development Council of the Philippines' Parangal ng Sining received something far more enduring — heartfelt tributes from fellow artists whose lives and careers they've touched.

- By NATHALIE M. TOMADA

During this year's ceremony recognizing "film giants and industry stakeholders" held on April 11 at Seda Vertis North in Quezon City, industry colleagues, collaborators and mentees shared personal stories about this year's honorees: former President and action star Joseph Ejercito Estrada, actress and former ABS-CBN Corp. president and CEO Charo Santos-Concio, director and actress Laurice Guillen, and internationally-acclaimed filmmaker Lav Diaz. The 2025 Parangal ng Sining carried the theme, "Ang Mga Higante ng Kasaysayan ng Ating Pelikula: Tradisyon at Ebolusyon."

FDCP chair Jose Javier "Joey" Reyes acknowledged that Philippine cinema finds itself in an age of challenge. "But because of the inspiration provided by these people, we know that we can go on," he said during the event.

The Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (MOWELFUND) chair Boots Anson-Roa-Rodrigo was the one who presented the award to Erap, who founded MOWELFUND five decades ago. Sharing personal memories, she said: "Joseph Estrada and I worked together on several films. Two of my favorites are 'Ander Di Saya Si Erap' (1973) and 'Tatay Na Si Erap' (1972). Maybe it's because of these that he became so well-known as 'Erap' — which, for those who don't know, is 'pare' spelled backward. It's true he wasn't just my leading man, he was also my erap, my kumpare and dear friend."

The veteran actress continued, "When I got married for the second time in 2014, he was one of our godfathers, so whenever we saw each other, nagmamano ako sa kanya (I would kiss his hand to show respect), and he would do the same to me. Our bond grew even stronger through our work with MOWELFUND. That's where I truly saw that Erap's heart was full of love for the film industry and for service.

"He brought action not just in his movies, he was also an action man behind the camera. He not only fought kontrabidas (villains), he also fought the rights of the filmworkers."