Jeyrick Sigmaton, whose face launched a million clicks on social media, admitted he was surprised to win an acting award for his debut film, "Dayas."
And it's not just an award - it's an international recognition given by the International Film Festival Manhattan 2021 in New York.
"Nagulat ako nung una. Hindi ko inaasahan na magkakaroon ako ng award at international pa. Sa sobrang tuwa ko, nakalimutan ko na kung ano ang ginagawa ko that time," said Jeyrick, during a press conference for the short film "Dayas" held at the Okada Manila in Paranaque City over the weekend.
Jeyrick said that he attended workshops before they shot the movie. "Natutunan ko roon paano umiyak."
Asked if he will concentrate in showbiz now that he won an acting award, Jeyrick said: "Puwede naman."
Jennylyn delos Santos, also known as Direk Jianlin, praised Jeyrick for his acting, saying he never had a hard time motivating him.
"Take one talaga siya. Ako kasi pag makuha ko na yung gusto ko, hindi ko na inuulit kasi baka pumangit na. Si Jeyrick sa lahat ng take namin, madami yun ah, baka isang beses lang ako nag take 2. Nakulangan lang kasi ako sa last part pero the rest take one lang talaga siya," she revealed.
Direk Jennylyn described the movie "Dayas" as a dream project.
This has been the advocacy of Direk Jianlin and the people behind Sine Cordillera and Be Unrivaled Productions. These two companies will make their presence known not only in the Philippines, but also around the world.
Through “Dayas,” the drector said that she wanted to give tribute to the small-scale gold miners of Itogon, Benguet and bring to life the beliefs, traditions, rituals, faith, and respect to the ancestors that is part of the Cordilleran way of life.
She dreams also of showcasing the wealth of talented individuals that the Cordillerans have to offer through this film. It has been her intent to showcase not only the culture of the Cordilleras, but also its talents.
“Dayas” means “the process of gold extraction from the ore.”
"This movie is important to me because I want to show responsible and irresponsible mining in the country. It's close to my heart because my father is a miner," she said. "It is a tribute to all the victims and the bereaved families of the 'Ompong Tragedy' that saddened the Cordilleran community of Itogon, Benguet.'
"Dayas" is a narrative short film that focuses on the lives of two Igorot small-scale gold miners named Hacob (Kelvin Vicente) and Bantay (Jeyrick Sigmaton) from the mountains of Itogon, Benguet.
Direk Jianlin is a Cordilleran realtor who is also the driving spirit behind the Ray-Casa Group of Companies, Be Unrivalled Productions, and Sine Cordillera.
Despite COVID-19 lockdown, the movie was finished in Feb. 2021. It has been shown and presented on roadshows and has been warmly received by the people of Cordilleras who watched it, and by thousands of supporters who have seen it online.
"Namundok talaga kami. Pumasok kami sa mining. I really took the challenge of the location. Dapat lahat ng gaganap full-blooded Igorot so that I could really give them the chance to showcase their talents," she added.
Direk Jianlin said that "Dayas will compete in other international film festivals.
"Since nanalo na kami ng best actor, may mga compettion pa kaming hinihintay. Given the chance, baka gawin na rin namin na full length ang movie. Kinakausap na namin ang mga characters at dinedevelop na namin ang story," she said.