The past couple of years have been trying for the entire entertainment industry, but thankfully, it continues to survive and even thrive.

This was celebrated during the 5th EDDYS or Entertainment Editors’ Choice Awards Night which was held last November 27, 2022 at the iconic Metropolitan Theater in Manila. It was hosted by none other than Boy Abunda and directed by Ice Seguerra.

Greeting the visitors at the red carpet was former FDCP chair Liza Diño-Seguerra, along with members of the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd). The evening began with cocktails, where everyone had the chance to mingle and catch up with each other. 

Once again, On The Job: The Missing 8 dominated the evening as they bagged 8 awards. They got the EDDYS Choice for Best Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Visual Effects, Best Sound Design, Best Musical Score, and Best Supporting Actress.

There was a three-way tie for Best Musical Score between Erwin Romulo for On The Job: The Missing 8, Teresa Barrozo for Big Night, and Cesar Francis Concio for Love Is Color Blind.

Best Screenplay went to Jun Robles Lana for Big Night, while Best Production Design went to Whammy Alcazaren of Kun Maupay It Panahon. In addition, the award for Best Original Theme Song went to Marion Aunor for the song “Maghihintay” which was featured in the movie More Than Blue.

Mon Confiado won Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Arisaka, while Lotlot De Leon won Best Supporting Actress for her role in On The Job: The Missing 8.

The EDDYS Choice for Best Actress went to veteran actress Charo Santos for her performance in Kun Maupay It Panahon, a role which reminded the audience of her acting prowess on the silver screen.

READ: Charo Santos wins Best Actress at the FAMAS awards: ‘Sulit ang pag-aaral ko ng Waray!’

“I share this honor with my co-nominees for the outstanding performances,” she said. “I’d like to share this honor with my family. Maraming maraming salamat sa pagbibigay ninyo ng puwang sa aking mga pangarap at pagkatao.

“I share this recognition to everyone who has supported me through the almost five decades of my career in show business,” she added.

Charo admitted to being open to doing more acting projects in the future.

“Kung may dumating na magandang role, why not?” she said. “Gusto kong gumawa ng pelikula at tsaka sana may serye na dumating!”

Meanwhile, Christian Bables bested other veteran actors as he took home the EDDYS for Best Actor for his role in Big Night, a project he takes great pride in.

READ: Christian Bables, ‘magical’ kung ilarawan ang pagbabalik film fest

Despite winning the award, Christian remains grounded and chooses to let the recognition serve as his inspiration and motivation to improve his craft.

“I’m just as good as my last work,” explained Christian. “More hard work for me sa ga susunod na karakter kong gagampanan, sa mga projects na maibibigay sa akin.”

Christian remains busy as he is part of the cast of the Dreamscape teleserye Dirty Linen. He also has an upcoming movie with Ideafirst, Sampung Mga Kerida. He admitted that his roles continue to challenge him as an actor. 

“This is way far different from the characters na na-portray ko before,” he hinted. 

Christian loves his craft and refuses to be pressured by others’ expectations. 

“Gusto ko lang i-enjoy ‘yung craft, gusto ko lang i-enjoy ‘yung passion ko,” he stated. 

The 5th EDDYS celebrated the artistic excellence of Filipino filmmakers who persevered and thrived amid the pandemic.

Below is the full list of nominees for each category:

Best Supporting Actor

John Arcilla for Big Night

Ricky Davao for Big Night

Mon Confiado for Arisaka —winner

Christopher de Leon for On The Job: The Missing 8

Dennis Trillo for On The Job: The Missing 8

Best Supporting Actress

Janice de Belen for Big Night

Eugene Domingo for Big Night

Lotlot de Leon for On The Job: The Missing 8 —winner

Elizabeth Oropesa for Huwag Kang Lalabas

Rans Rifol for Kun Maupay It Panahon

Best Sound Design

Immanuel Verona, Fatima Salim, John Buquid for Arisaka

Immanuel Verona for Big Night

Roman Dymny for Kun Maupay It Panahon

Corinne de San Jose for On The Job: The Missing 8 —winner

Immanuel Verona, Fatima Salim for Huwag Kang Lalabas

Best Musical Score

Erwin Romulo for On The Job: The Missing 8 —winner

Andrew Florentino for Kun Maupay It Panahon

Teresa Barrozo for Big Night —winner

Jerrold Tarog for Dito at Doon

Cesar Francis Concio for Love Is Color Blind —winner

Best Original Theme Song

“Maari Ba” from Love At First Stream

“Sana Panaginip Lang” from Love At First Stream

“Maganda Kahit Matanda” from Revirginized

“Maghihintay” from More Than Blue —winner

“For Your Eyes Only” from Love Is Color Blind

Best Visual Effects

Ogie Tiglao of Quantum Post for Big Night

Gerwin Meneses for Huwag Kang Lalabas

Mofac Studio (S. Korea), Hue Media, Ogie Tiglao of Quantum Post for Kun Maupay It Panahon

Mothership for On The Job: The Missing 8 —winner

The Post Office for The Exorsis

Best Editing

Nikolas Red for Arisaka

Benjamin Tolentino for Big Night

Jay Halili for On The Job: The Missing 8 —winner

Marya Ignacio for Love Is Color Blind

Renard Torres for Dito at Doon

Best Production Design

Whammy Acazaren for Kun Maupay It Panahon —winner

MIchael Español, Roma Regala for On The Job: The Missing 8

Arthur Maningas for Huwag Kang Lalabas

Jay Custodio for Huling Ulan Sa Tag-araw

Norico Santos for Love Is Color Blind

Best Cinematography

Neil Derrik Bion for On The Job: The Missing 8 —winner

Mycko David for Arisaka

T.M. Malones for Huwag Kang Lalabas

Teck Siang Lim for Kun Maupay It Panahon

Noel Teehankee for Love or Money

Best Screenplay

Michiko Yamamoto for On The Job: The Missing 8

Giancarlo Abrahan, Carlo Francisco Manatad, Jerome Dubois for ‘Kun Maupay It Panahon

Jun Robles Lana for Big Night —winner

Acy Ramos, Irish Precious Mangubat for Huling Ulan Sa Tag-araw

Khristine Gabriel, Duimon Arciaga for Love Is Color Blind

Best Director

Erik Matti for On The Job: The Missing 8 —winner

Mikhail Red for Arisaka

Jun Robles Lana for Big Night

JP Habac for Dito at Doon

Best Actor

John Arcilla for On The Job: The Missing 8

Christian Bables for Big Night —winner

Dingdong Dantes for A Hard Day

Daniel Padilla for Kun Maupay It Panahon

Piolo Pascual for My Amanda

Best Actress

Janine Gutierrez for Dito at Doon

Kim Molina for Ang Babaeng Walang Pakiramdam

Maja Salvador for Arisaka

Charo Santos for Kun Maupay It Panahon —winner

Alessandra de Rossi for My Amanda

Best Film

Arisaka

Big Night

Dito at Doon

Kun Maupay It Panahon

On The Job: The Missing 8 —winner