Maris Racal, McCoy de Leon among big winners at 74th FAMAS

Kapamilya actor McCoy de Leon bagged the Best Actor trophy at the 74th FAMAS Awards held at the Manila Hotel on Tuesday night. De Leon, who portrayed Father Rhoel Gallardo in the movie “In Thy Name,” bested Jericho Rosales, who was an early favorite to take home the win for his performance in “Quezon.”

During his acceptance speech, McCoy dedicated his award to his loved ones, particularly to his daughter Feliz, and said, “Anak, best actor na si daddy!”

His movie also took home the Best Picture award, along with the Best Director trophy for Cesar Soriano.

“Hindi ko naiintindihan ang nararamdaman namin ngayon, but I’d like to thank FAMAS for these recognitions. We never imagined that we would come to this far. I believe that the result or the recognition is not a recognition of the film, but the recognition of the sacrifices, the pain, the martyrdom of Father Rhoel Gallardo,” said Soriano.

De Leon said he took the movie’s premise of faith to heart, “Pangarap ko ‘to dati eh, parang ‘di ko na naisip eh, pero binitawan ko na siya. Sabi ko, masaya na ko na may work ako.”

During the Best Actress announcement, Maris Racal was called first with the Actress of Distinction award for her performance in “Sunshine.” Racal was emotional onstage and dedicated her trophy to her sisters, who were her first supporters when she started out in the biz at the early age of 16.

“Pinagdasal ko to,” she said. “Ang sarap sa feeling when you realize that when your hard work has paid off. I give this to my 16-year old self na pinaghirapan lahat. I am humbled.”

Speaking to ABS-CBN News, Racal shared that she is more inspired to take on roles that would push her acting chops to the test.

“Gusto ko ‘yung mga roles na alam kong paghihirapan ko, aaralin ko, ‘yung mag-o-obssessed na naman ako. ‘Yun ‘yung hinahanap ko,” she said.

After Racal, another name was called — Maricel Soriano, Best Actress, for the film “Meet, Greet and Bye.” She dedicated and shared her award with her co-stars in the movie and her fans.

As of press time, FAMAS organizers have not yet released a clarificatory statement or explanation regarding the difference between Soriano’s Best Actress award and the Actress of Distinction award given to Racal.

Meanwhile, Karylle and Mon Confiado won Best Supporting Actress and Best Supporting Actor, respectively, for their outstanding performances in the biopic “Quezon.”

“Siyempre nakakatuwa na ‘yung mga supporting ng ‘Quezon’ ay nagkaroon ng puwang naman this time dito sa FAMAS. Natutuwa ako na na-recognize ‘yung pagganap ko sa ‘Quezon’ as Emilio Aguinaldo. As I’ve said, ang pagganap ko kay Emilio Aguinaldo ay hindi madali,” said Confiado.