The Filipino indie film Prinsipe Sabong (international title: Prince of Cockfighting) bested 59 other films in a film fest that took place in Houston, Texas from April 17 to 26, 2009.
Prinsipe Sabong won the Gold Remi Award for Best Feature last April 27 at the 42nd WorldFest-Houston Independent International Film Festival.
This indie film starring Gardo Versoza, Katya Santos, Allan Paule was able to beat films chosen worldwide including the Disney/Pixar animated film Ratatouille.
The panel of judges at WorldFest saw that Prinsipe Sabong is so much more than a movie about cockfighting—it is a celebration of cultural diversity.
It stars Gardo Versoza as Joey Stevens, an actor who is also passionate about cockfighting. When his best gamecock loses to a breed of gamecock known only as "prinsipe sabong," Joey becomes frantic and livid with anger. Joey could not work and lost appetite as an actor. He is obsessed about finding "prinsipe sabong" no matter what it takes.
He quit show biz and returned to his hometown, because he heard a rumor that was where "prinsipe sabong" was bred. Upon his return, Joey discovers that his father has decided to adopt 4 kids, thereby turning their house into an orphanage of sorts. Joey hated the idea, but his brother was fine with it. This started the conflict in their family.
The situation worsened with the arrival of Celine, the girlfriend of his brother Jeffrey, whom Joey later fell in love with.
Prinsipe Sabong also stars Katya Santos as Celine Montemayor and Allan Paule as Jeffrey Stevens.
Executive producer Edwin Monton points out that the story of Prinsipe Sabong is very simple and features superstitions related to the sport of cockfighting.
This indie film was written by Armie Fernandez and directed by Yeng Grande.
Prinsipe Sabong is also slated to receive the Bronze Best Picture award at the Mexico Film Festival on May 31, 2009.
PEP Live