PAOLO Ballesteros expressed gratitude for his latest Best Actor win at the 42nd Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
The television host/actor failed to attend the awarding ceremony held last Thursday evening because of health concerns. It was "Die Beautiful" director Jun Robles Lana who accepted the coveted award.
Because he missed the MMFF's Gabi ng Parangal, Ballesteros posted on Instagram his supposed acceptance speech.
He said winning trophies abroad is quite a feat but being recognized in his own country is something different.
"Winning 2 acting awards internationally is quite overwhelming. But being recognized as the Best Actor in your own country give a different kind of joy,” he said.
Ballesteros also thanked the MMFF for a successful festival, Lana for choosing him to play Trisha Echevarria, a transgender woman and lead character in the movie.
The actor said he will continue to do films that will make every Filipino proud.
“To the MMFF, maraming salamat and congratulations for a very successful festival. It is only the beginning and we will continue making movies that will be competent both locally and internationally.”
Prior to his win in the MMFF, Ballesteros won the Best Actor trophy at the 29th Tokyo International FIlm Festival in Japan and a Special Jury Prize for Acting at the 21st Kerala International Film Festival in India. (Sunnex)
