JERRY OLEA
Noong Setyembre 13, 2026 ini-announce ni Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) Director General Paolo Villaluna na tatlong pelikulang Pinoy ang eligible sa 99th Academy Awards o Oscars.
Ang panlaban ng Pilipinas para sa kategoryang best international feature ay ang Filipiñana, kung saan bida si Jorrybell Agoto.
Ang 58th ay eligible sa kategoryang best documentary, samantalang ang Agapito na bida si Nour Hooshmand ay eligible sa kategoryang best live-action short film.
Kumusta na ang Oscars campaign natin?
“Noong October 1, lumabas sa Variety, they did their initial Oscar prediction for best international feature,” tugon ni Direk Paolo nang makausap ng PEP Troika sa MMPress Dekada Awards 2026 nitong Oktubre 4, Linggo, sa MMFF Auditorium, MMDA Head Office, Pasig City.
“And we were also happy na No. number 11, nasa for contention siya. Of course, alam natin, December 15 yung paglabas ng shortlist ng Oscars.
“So, kung nasa Top 11 tayo ng Variety, the hope is tuluy-tuloy yung momentum. We have two, three months to fight for that campaign.
“So let’s hope na we get into the shortlist. Cuz it will be the first time for the country if we get to the shortlist.
“The last time a Southeast Asian film got into the shortlist… three years ago. Yung sa Thailand.
“So we’re hoping we have a good fight this year.”
OSCAR BUZZ FOR FILIPINAna
May buzz nga raw sa North America ang Filipiñana, lalo pa’t napabalitang may cancer at nasa ospital ang bidang si Jorrybell.
“Unang-una, nakakalungkot yung kalagayan ngayon ni Jorrybell. Alam natin, meron siyang sakit,” saad ni Direk Paolo.
“We are not party to the actual sickness but we know, she’s in the hospital. Sana, the whole industry comes together to help them financially and practically.
“Of course it adds to the balita regarding the film. Pero gusto ko sanang i-underline na yung tutok regarding Jorrybell, sana we pray for her, and we continue to support her.
“Especially yung galing sa mga guilds, no. We can support the family financially. Kami sa Film Academy, ginagawan din namin ng paraan na matulungan sila financially.
“And we pray that Jorrybell gets better.”
Read: Actress Jorrybell Agoto battles cancer, needs financial help
GORGY RULA
Noong Setyembre 13, 2026 na ini-announce sa SMX Convention Centre Manila, Pasay City, na Filipiñana ang panlaban ng bansa sa best international feature ng 99th Oscars, alam ba nila na galing sa ospital si Jorrybell Agoto? At kinabukasan ay balik-ospital ang aktres?
“Actually nung Oscars announcement, nung nasabihan kami ng producer... siyempre we want to inform the winning entries in advance,” lahad ni DG Paolo Villaluna.
“We were told na ita-try ni Jorrybell. It was not disclosed sa amin kung bakit. We understand the privacy there.
“That’s why we were so glad and happy nung bigla siyang dumating. Ahh napag-alaman na rin namin na after nung Oscars event niya, the next day, dumiretso siya sa ospital. Which is sad.
“But we were happy to have seen Jorrybell during the announcement.”
Ang saya-saya ni Jorrybell noong araw na iyon. Hagikgik nang hagikgik.
“Sobra! Oh my God, she was so happy! One, she was not expecting it,” sambit ni Direk Paolo.
“I mean, ang maganda kay Jorrybell, apart from being a brilliant actress, she’s such a humble person!
“Kaya it came to her as a surprise. It made her happy. We all know Jorrybell is the face of the new generation of actors and actresses na upcoming, no.
“So when it was announced na Filipiñana was going to be the Oscar entry, my God, she was really happy!”
Kalahok ang Filipiñana sa 31st Busan International Film Festival ngayong Oktubre 6-15 sa South Korea. Umayaw raw roon si Jorrybell dahil magpapahinga siya.
Nag-commit siya ay sa October 26 opening ng Tokyo International Film Festival sa Japan.
“Si Jorrybell has her hold in the future in front of her!” bulalas ni Direk Paolo.
“So medyo it’s sad, what’s happening to her. But we were glad, nandoon siya noong Oscars announcement.”
Noong Setyembre 23 napabalitang may cancer si Jorrybell, at nangangailangan ng tulong na pinansyal ang kanyang pamilya.
Sa closing ceremony ng Philippine Film Industry Month (PFIM) noong Setyembre 30 sa Seda Vertis North, Quezon City, isa si Jorrybell sa Annual Achievement Awardees.
Kaso, hindi niya kayang dumalo roon. Nanatili siya sa ospital. Marami ang nag-worry…
“I know, I know. That’s why ano nga, e. That was so sad. Ang ganda nung ginawa ni Miss Iza [Calzado] that night,” sabi ni Direk Paolo.
“She read a journal from Jorrybell, and then she read the messages from the family. That was so emotional, and so apt.”
Read: Jorrybell Agoto reacts to being compared to Dolly de Leon
NOEL FERRER
Nakapagbigay na ba ng financial support ang Film Academy of the Philippines para sa Oscars campaign ng Filipiñana, 58th, at Agapito?
“Definitely meron silang financial support coming from the government,” sagot ni FAP Director General Paolo Villaluna.
“They can be very aggressive. yung support, depende sa working financial plan. Yung kontrata, naka-sign na for Filipiñana.
“The two others, ginagawa ngayon yung paper work. May paper work involved, e.
“Pero Agapito, I understand, is on the way. Kasi they’re eligible already. Yung 58th, I received last week the working financial plan. But they will receive support.”
Magbu-Busan ang Filipiñana (represented by Nour Houshmand) at 58th, pati ang Ria at Let Us Through, Dear Ancestors (Makikiraan Po).
“Meron kaming program where we support films na nag-ano in international film festivals, for publicity campaign meant for the Oscars,” pagsisiwalat ni Direk Paolo.
“Siyempre ang Busan is considered an A-list film festival na ngayon, so any film na in competition actually gets a government support.”
JORRYBELL'S CONDITION not being used for oscar campaign
Sa publicity campaign ng Filipiñana sa North America, marami raw roon ang aware sa kalagayan ni Jorrybell Agoto?
“Yung kalagayan ni Jorrybell, I mean, my hope is that everyone becomes aware of it. Because Jorrybell deserves the support she can get habang pinagdadaanan niya ito,” pagmamatwid ni DG Paolo.
“The question is kung ginagamit ba siya for the campaign? No. No, no! No. Nagkataon lang. And sadly, that’s happening now.
“But the main messaging sana natin is that we’re here to support Jorrybell. And the whole industry sana gets together to support Jorrybell.”
Hindi nagagamit pero aware sila kaya napag-uusapan. In a way…
“Importante naman na mapag-usapan iyung kalagayan ni Jorrybell because she needs the support, especially financially,” pahayag ni DG Paolo.
Meron bang intensIyon na gamitin ang cancer ni Jorrybell para paingayin ang Filipiñana?
“Definitely no! Oh God, no, no! I mean, not from anyone! Parang lalo na tayong mga Pinoy, I think, we function in good faith,” wika ni DG Paolo.
“So, walang ganoon. Nagkataon and it is sad that Jorrybell is in the hospital right now.”
Read: Filipiñana chosen as Philippines’ official entry to Oscars 2027