How McCoy de Leon celebrated his first Best Actor award

MANILA — McCoy de Leon went straight to his family in Tondo, Manila, to celebrate his first-ever Best Actor win. 

He was recognized with the accolade  at the 74th FAMAS Awards for his performance in “In Thy Name” on Tuesday, Oct 27.

“After noong awards night, dumiretso ako agad sa Tondo, kina mommy. Sa kanya ko una binalita, nag-video call po ako sa stage. Punta daw ako. Naka suit ako, may trophy ako pumunta ako sa amin, sa may palengke kami,” he said Wednesday, during the press conference for his latest project, “Fight For My Way,” in Pasig City. 

“Yung mga kargador, nakatingin sa akin habang naglalakad ako. Di ko rin alam pakiramdam pag makakita ng ganon. Pero bilang taga Tondo rin, proud ako. Kaya pinunta ko sa family ko. Masaya sila.”

De Leon shared how proud his parents were of his achievement, recalling how they encouraged him to remain grateful and humble as he looked back on his early acting days.

“Sabi ni Daddy, ‘Napapanuod ko lang to sa mga artista dati.’ Sabi ni mommy, ‘Maging thankful ka lagi, huwag makalimot.’ Dati sa theater pinipilit lang nila ako, kahit acting ko sobrang cringe… Pero sabi ni mommy, ‘Layo na anak’,” he said. 

De Leon, who did not expect to receive the award, expressed his gratitude and said the recognition motivated him.

“Sobrang sarap ng feeling pala talaga. Sabi ko sa sarili ko kagabi, gusto ko pa. Gusto ko pa magkaroon ng ganon. Iba pala talaga feeling po,” he said.

De Leon is currently part of the cast of “Someone Someday” and is also set to star in the Filipino adaptation of the K-drama “Fight For My Way.”