Jake Macapagal on British Independent Film Awards nomination: "It's a great acknowledgment."

Filipino actor Jake Macapagal is currently in London preparing for the awards night of the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA).

He and his Metro Manila co-star John Arcilla are nominated in the 16th edition of the BIFA, which will have its awarding ceremony at the Old Billingsgate, London, on December 8.

No less than BIFA Patron and previous winner, Ewan McGregor, made the announcement last November.

Jake is nominated for the category Most Promising Newcomer while John is competing in the Best Supporting Actor category.

Aside from Jake, the other nominees are: Harley Bird (How I Live Now), Conner Chapman / Shaun Thomas (The Selfish Giant), Caity Lotz (The Machine), and Chloe Pirrie (Shell).

In the Best Supporting Actor category, John Arcilla is competing against Jeff Goldblum (Le Week-end), Rupert Friend (Starred Up), Eddie Marsan (Filth), and Ben Mendelsohn (Starred Up).

In the crime drama Metro Manila, Jake is cast as a naive armored truck driver who is blackmailed by his senior partner (played by John).

This film is directed, co-produced and co-written by British director Sean Ellis who is also nominated in the BIFA for Best Director.

Metro Manila is a nominee for Best Independent British Film.

It is also competing in the Best Achievement in Production category.

(Read: Metro Manila movie review)


In an exclusive phone interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), Jake admitted that he is excited to attend the awards night, which will be hosted by The Hobbit actor James Nesbitt.

"It's great kasi this is the start of the awards season.

"Kilalang-kilala ang mga nominees like James McAvoy and Judi Dench...these are really haevy duty actors!"

McAvoy is nominated as Best Actor for Filth while Judi Dench is nominated as Best Actress for Philomena.

"It's exciting! It's all coming together.

"I'm just enjoying the ride—win or lose."

How does it feel to be nominated in this international award-giving body?

"I'm glad that the industry is making buzz for Metro Manila.

"It's a great acknowledgment na sinusuportahan ka ng industry.

"Ito na ang pangarap ko na magkaroon ng acknowledgment...I'm just enjoying it."


Jake also revealed that Metro Manila is representing the United Kingdom in the 18th Satellite Awards.

He told PEP, "It's great to be nominated in the Satellite Awards of the International Press Academy."


Metro Manila is one of the 10 movies competing in the Motion Picture, International Film category of the IPA Satellite Awards.

The other nominees are Bethlehem (Israel), Blue Is the Warmest Color (France), The Broken Circle Breakdown (Belgium), Circles (Serbia), Four Corners (South Africa), The Great Beauty (Italy), The Hunt (Denmark), The Past (Iran), and Wadjda (Saudi Arabia).

The 18th Satellite Awards ceremony will be held on March 9, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.

The International Press Academy is a global association of professional entertainment journalists representing a multitude of print, broadcast, and digital media outlets.

According to its official website, the IPA presents satellite awards to the best of the entertainment industry in comprehensive categories for Film, Television, DVD, and New Media.

Metro Manila is the UK's official Oscar submission for Best Foreign Language Film.


When asked about his future projects, Jake said he cannot disclose them yet.

But he did admit, "I'm seeing some casting directors in London."


(Read: Jake Macapagal represented by Hollywood-based talent management agency, ICM Partners)