Deputy Speaker and Antique Rep. Loren Legarda hosted the block screening and gala night of “John Denver Trending” recently at Robinson’s Place Antique, San Jose de Buenavista.
“John Denver Trending,” directed by Pandananon Arden Rod Condez, was awarded the Best Film – Full Length Feature, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Original Music Score, and Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC) Jury Award during this year’s Cinemalaya awards night.
15-year-old Pandananon Jansen Magpusao, who played the role of John Denver, was also awarded Best Actor.
The film, which was shot entirely in Legarda’s hometown of Pandan, is the first full-length film entry to the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival set in the local language of Kinaray-a. Its director, producers, and most of the actors are all Antiqueños.
“It did not fail to impress the nation with technicalities.”
“I am filled with joy and pride to witness an original Antiqueño film thrive in the national setting. It did not fail to impress the nation with technicalities, but it also did not lose its focus and presented issues such as cyber-bullying, fake news, and mental health, which are relevant and rampant nowadays,” said the veteran legislator.
“I want my fellow Antiqueños to appreciate the brilliance that was exhibited by the film.”
“It is an honor to be part of bringing ‘John Denver Trending’ home to my kasimanwa. I want my fellow Antiqueños to appreciate the brilliance that was exhibited by the film and the excellence that was shown by the director, producers, and actors,” the seasoned lawmaker said.