Actor and beauty stylist Fanny Serrano was simply overwhelmed when he won best actor for Neal Tan's indie film, Tarima, at the recently-concluded 9th Gawad Tanglaw Awards, held on March 17 at the St. Dominic College of Asia in Bacoor, Cavite.
He said he was honored to win the top plum (male division) together with popular actor Coco Martin.
This is Fanny's first-ever acting award; he received a medallion and a certificate of citation. He won for his performance as the oppressed gay, Roselo, in Tarima.
Coco also got the Gawad Tanglaw jurors' nod in his role as the President's (Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III or P-Noy) ardent follower and supporter in the political drama, 'Noy, directed by indie newcomer Dondon Santos.
"Nung pinanood ko po ang 'Noy, ang sabi ko, 'Ay, ito [Coco] ang best actor ko sa taon na ito!" Fanny said in his acceptance speech.
The beauty guru said he considers the award a major feat in his acting career, which has had its highs and lows over the years.
"That time, wala pa akong nominations. Little did I know na makaka-tie ko pa si Coco," Fanny later told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) in an interview.
He was referring to another nomination for lead performance from the Golden Screen Awards of ENPRESS (Entertainment Press Society, Inc.) which is slated to hand out prizes in the first week of April this year. (CLICK HERE to read related story.)
Fanny recalled that in the 1980s, he was hailed as a celebrity hairstylist and makeup artist, who did some cameo movie appearances on the side.
He never imagined that decades later, he would be recognized as best actor, sharing the honor with matinee idol, Coco Martin.
"Correct!" the amiable gay actor agreed. "Sa totoo lang, hindi ko naman siniseryoso... Basta, yun lang ang naramdaman ko nung napanood ko si Coco. Ang galing! Tapos ngayon, ka-tie ko, di ba? Hindi ko akalain. Samantalang ang prediction ko, 'Ito [Coco] ang best actor ko!" Fanny said.
THANKFUL TO GAWAD TANGLAW. Fanny shared three reasons why he considers it a great honor to be recognized by the nine-year-old awards-giving group composed of academicians.
"Unang-una, isang malaking karangalan yung mapansin ka ng mga tao sa Gawad Tanglaw na hindi mo kilala," he said. "I mean, wala akong koneksiyon [sa kanila] and, out of nowhere, bigla silang sumulpot sa buhay ko.
"At napakagaling nilang mag-buena mano! After that nomination, nagkasunud-sunod na—the Soho International Filmfest, pati sa Enpress."
Fanny said Tarima is joining the New York City-based international film festival in April 15 -22 as a main competition entry. Meanwhile, ENPRESS has honored him with another best actor nomination.
