2009 TOP TWENTY INDEPENDENT ARTISTS

2009 TOP TWENTY INDEPENDENT ARTISTS

We are the group of young filmmakers from different colleges and universities, we firmly believe that independent filmmaking is a great way for an actor or filmmaker to develop his or her style and abilities and it's not about a paycheck. Our group did comprehensive research about our Top Twenty lists of independent artists aged 20 to 40 years old (10 males & 10 females) that are ubiquitous figure in Philippine independent cinema.

Our top lists of Independent actors were a mixed batch composed of mainstream/character actors and theater thespians. We accord cinema and television the same respect and rigor as we do theater. These are not just entertainment but are art forms as well. Only when we begin to treat actors as artists can we demand from them to perform with artistry. We treat movie and television actors the same way we do our theater actors.

YFMP names the Top Twenty Independent Artists for 2009 (in alphabetical order):

No.1 Abalos Jason

Jason Abalos is a member of ABS-CBN's circle of homegrown talents named Star Magic. Abalos, 22, on August 7, 2008, won the Best Performer award in the Young Critics Circle Annual Citation held at the Faculty Center Conference (Pulungang Recto, Bulwagang Rizal) Hall of the University of the Philippine Diliman, Quezon City. Director Adolf Alix, Jr. handled him in the indie film “Adela,” played by Anita Linda (in the 2008 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival). Abalos was also nominated at the Urian Awards of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino, for “Endo.” He is best known with his role Joel on Eva Fonda. On October 1, 2008, Abalos won the Best Actor in the 2008 Gawad Urian Awards for Endo. He presently studies in University of Sto. Tomas.

No.2 Aguilos Kalila (Actress)

Kalila was a part of Tanghalang Pilipino's Zsazsa Zaturnah (ZeMuzical) as antagonist, Ang Mga Huwad as Carmen Villa, Queen Femina Suarestellar Baroux, played Madame Jeanne Forestier in Tanghalan at Obra's musical adaptation, The Necklace and the Bride in theInternational Theatre Institute Congress presentation of BloodWeeding. Other theater credits include Troyanas, Middle of the Silence, Paglayang minamahal, Ang Pagpatay Kay Luna, Dularawang Pating, Aguinaldo: 1898, Ulilang Tahanan, El Filibusterismo; Likhaan's, Noli me Tangere, Magnificat and Disyembre. Kalila is also a costume designer, singer, painter & graphic designer.

No.3 Aquino Angel (Actress)

Angel Aquino is no stranger to the limelight. (Angelita Velasquez Aquino real name). She finished Bachelor of Arts in Journalism at University of the Philippines in Baguio City. Starting out as a model, Angel has metamorphosed into an effective film actress and television style host. Angel has 2 daughters - Iana (born 1993) and Thea (born 1995). She is warm, open, vibrant and lively. Angel Aquino will always be one of my favorite models. Her well-chiseled facial features, fantastic skin tone, and great figure are the foundation of her beauty. But one element that brings that beauty to life is her animated personality. Angel is a truly beautiful woman. Angel won Best Performance of an Actress for "Donsol" from the 2006 Cinemalaya Film Festival.. Her short film God Only Knows won as Best short film from the 2008 Cinemalaya Film Ferstival

No.4. Bayani Angeli (Actress)

Angeli is an apprentice of the Tanghalang Pilipino Actor's Company, Angeli dreams one day of becoming an Indie princess. As a resident actor of CCP, Angeli's favorite roles are: Maria Clara's in TP's Noli Me Tangere The Musical; Mrs. Capulleto in TP's R'meo Luvs Dew-Lhiett; Induduli in TP's Hudhuhd an Ifugao romance and Pinnochio in TP's children musical Pinocchio.

In March 2006 she performed in Tokyo, Japan, with the theater company Rinko Gun/Good Fellow's Inc as part of Philippine Bedtime Stories, a series of one-act Filipino plays performed in Tagalog and Japanese. She has also performed with Jay Cruz of Dancing Wounded Contemporary Dance Commune. Her film Mga Lunes ng Hapis (Monday of Sorrow) is competing in the fourth Con-Can Movie Festival, an online short film festival in Japan this month. Her film Death of the Land of Encantos won special from Venice filmfest. Bayani won the Best Actress in the 2008 Cinemanila International Film Festival.

No.5. Calzado Iza (Actress)

Born as Maria Izadora Ussher Calzado, she was named in part for the legendary dancer, Isadora Duncan. Her father is choreographer and TV director Lito Calzado and her mother was the late Irish-Spanish- Filipina, Mary Ann Ussher. Iza's brother, Dash, is a member of Legit Misfitz, a Pinoy rap group.In the late 1990s, she finished her high school in Miriam College and after which finished her undergraduate education in the University of Santo Tomas with a degree in Fine Arts.

Before entering show business, she worked as a dubber. Iza started out as a guest teen star in the now defunct show, Click, which led to further roles. Iza won her first ever heroine role through the soap opera Te Amo with the Argentinean actor Segundo Cernadas.Iza Calzado bagged her original role in The Echo, the English-language remake of Filipino director Yam Laranas’ horror film Sigaw. Calzado will be sharing the screen with Hollywood actor Jesse Bradford, who was last seen in Clint Eastwood’s World War II epic Flags of Our Fathers. Bradford will portray an ex-convict who will get entangled in the troubles of a battered wife, to be played by Calzado. Although she will be reprising a role that won her an Urian Best Supporting Actress award in 2005, she still had to audition. One of her co-stars, Carlos de Leon, asked her if she is Hispanic because of her facial feature. She won Best Supporting Actress for 28th Gawad Urian. On January 18, 2008, Iza Calzado won the Model Star Award from the Korea Asia Model Award Festival.

No.6 Camañag Roeder (Actor)

Roeder is a multi-talented performer, singer, actor, and dancer. He recorded three original Filipino albums released under Vicor Music Company, which include his signature hit, Sana Naman (gold and platinum) and an international album released in Germany to hiscredit. He is one handful talents who have successfully made the crossover from mainstream pop to theater and independent films. He has acted in over thirty productions ranging from musicals to straight plays. He gave memorable performances in King and I, Twelfth Night, Aguinaldo 1898, Larawan, Chess, Grease, Once on This Island, Fire, Water, woman, They're Playing our song, Macbeth, Luna, Carmen, Insiang, Ligawang Ligaw and Rhythm Method.

He received Best Stage Actor nominations from the Aliw Awards for his performances Count Dracula in the Tanghalang Pilipino adaptation of Dracula and Gantimpala National Artist Production Series F.Sionil Jose's The God Stealer/ Nick Joaquin's The Queen's Jewel. For film, he got a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his performance in Lav Diaz's Ebolusyon. Roeder is under Talent Factory management headed by Ricky Gallardo. In 2007 he won Best actor from Aliw Awards. This year he was nominated as Best Actor from Gawad Urian for Death in the Land of the Encantos.

No.7 De Castro Glaiza (Actress)

Glaiza is a television and film actress. Glaiza “Aiza” Galura in real life was born on January 21, 1988. She is the sister of Alcris Galura. Dan Alvaro is Glaiza’s uncle.Glaiza likes Playing the guitar, watching TV, reading and swimming. She is a great fan of Hollywood actors Johnny Depp, Natalie Portman, Kirsten Dunst, Gael Garcia Bernal. She won New Movie Actress of the year (18th Star Awards for Movies 2001)Glaiza is under the management of DMV Entertainment headed by Manny Valera. This year Glaiza earned nominations from Gawad Urian as Best Actress for Still Life.

No.8 Dizon Mylene (Actress)

A superb actress, Mylene Dizon, has revealed that she ran away from her mother. But, it was an unusual situation. Mylene's parents areseparated. Her mother has moved to the United States. Mylene is aware of her strong-willed nature, which she believes she has gotten from her mom. She admits, she's a loner even when she was still a kid. She was left home alone all the time. She spent a vacation in America when she was 18. She worked as a secretary in her mom's physical therapy business there. She didn't get paid so she ran back to Philippines with her mom's credit card in her pocket. She has kept herself alive and well in the raucous carnival world of show business. Her name had to be associated with the gorgeous faces teeming at the ABS CBN Talent Center.

In 1997 she won Best New Movie Actress for her 1st film Calvento Files: The movie. Recently, Mylene Dizon was named Best Actress for her role in "Rome and Juliet" from 2006 Cinema One Originals. Mylene is now a character actress in the entertainment industry. In this year she won Best Actress from Cinemalaya Film Festival for “100”.

No.9 Domingo Eugene (Actress)

Eugene “Uge” Domingo is a theater, television, film actress. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Theater arts from the University of the Philippines. Eugene is one of the best comedienne’s in the entertainment industry and succeeded in making audience laugh out loud. Her last theater performance includes Welcome to Intelstar as MA'AM CHELSEA. She has done more than 30 mainstream films. She wants to play character roles for future projects. She is noted on winning the Best Supporting Actress award in the 2007 Metro Manila Film Festival and 2008 Gawad Tanglaw. Currently, she is seen in TV5. She won Best supporting actress from Cinemalaya Film Festival for 100 and earned Best Actress nominations from Gawad Urian for Foster Child.

No.10 Escaño Perry (Actor)

Perry is an actor for stage, television and film. He finished Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communication Engineering in Lyceum University Manila. He earned his professional theater acting workshop with Gantimpala Theater facilitated by Bodjie Pascua and has received his television/film advance and intensive acting training from Ms. Gina Alajar at MOWELFUND. His film credits include Will Fredo’s Compound was an official selection in 2006 Cleveland and Washington D.C. International Film Festival and got nominations from Golden Screen Awards. Perry is also part of Redd Ochoa’s Baliw received special selection in 2007 World film festival in Montreal Canada and Chennai Internatinal Film Festival in India. He has been part of Cinemalaya and Cinemanila films such as Sinungaling na Buwan, Walang Paraiso, Ala Suerte Ala Muerte and Ranchero.

He has portrayed mostly major roles and has done more than twenty professional plays in his theater projects. He is one of the few young actors who can do lead and supporting roles and cross over from theater, television and film. Perry is one of the busiest character actors on television. He appeared on a number of hit teleseryes and drama anthologies in ABS-CBN and GMA-7. Recently he played supporting for two Japanese films entitled Kazuma vs Amusak and Joker The Brilliant. Perry is under the management of Wings Entertainment headed by Francis Villacorta.

No.11 Galura Alcris (Actor)

Alcris is a film actor. He is the brother of Glaiza de Castro(Actress) . He portrayed a 14-year old Batad Boy "Ag-ap" in the film Batad, a high school dropout, is forced to sell produce in the Banawe market to augment whose big dream is to own a pair of nifty sports shoes in. He bagged the best actor awards from 2006 Cinemalaya Film Festival and 2006 Golden Screen Awards for his heartwarming performance in Batad. He also received Best Supporting Actor nominations from the URIAN for his performances in Mario O'Hara's Babae sa Breakwater and for ENDO.

No.12 Geisler Baron

Baron Frederick von Geisler is half-German. Baron’s hobbies include painting & writing poetry. Older brother, Donald, is a member of the Philippine taekwondo national team that competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. He was launched as a member of the male trio "Koolits" with John Lloyd Cruz and Marc Solis. He won an award for 'Best Single Performance by an Actor' in the recently concluded Star Awards for TV (2005) for his performance in 'Maalaala mo kaya'.He got Best Supporting nominations from URIAN for Anak (2000).In this year he won Best Actor from Cinemalaya Film Festival for “Jay”. Jay was included in 65th Venice Int'l Film Festival, Bangkok and International Film Festival.

No.13 Lucero Sid (Actor)

Timothy Mark Pimentel Eigenmann in real life. Once in a while, a new face comes along in the entertainment scene that truly catches our attention. The moment we saw Sid Lucero, we knew that he's got it. And after seeing him act in his very first television drama role, there's no doubt that Sid will be the next best young actor of his generation. Sid is being introduced in the much talked about soap opera "Hanggang Kailan," from GMA-7 and Filmex, Inc. where he is pitting talents against some of the country's acting heavyweights like Lorna Tolentino and Christopher de Leon. In the soap, he plays a lost young teenage boy who is searching for love and acceptance while in the process of finding himself. If his face looks familiar, it's because Sid is the son of thespian Mark Gil. The eyebrows, the nose and the piercing look is so very Mark, and from that initial episodes that we've seen, the boy has got the same natural intensity and passion like his dad. We learned that his manager Ricky Gallardo of The Talent Factory was responsible in choosing his screen name. Sid Lucero is the name of the character Mark Gil played in the award-winning Mike de Leon film, "Batch 81," where Mark was elevated to lead status, and where he met and fell in love with Sid's mother, the former fashion model and actress Bing Pimentel.

Sid, together with the other young cast of the soap, had to undergo intensive training in proper acting techniques with workshop director Peque Gallaga before facing the cameras. A quick learner, he says that from the time he started taping, he learned a lot in terms of motivation, delivery and focus, with the guidance of his directors Joey Reyes and Mark Reyes. He won Breakthrough Performance by an Actor for Donsol from 2007 Golden Screen Awards and Best actor from Cinema One Film Festival for Tambolista. Sid Lucero won Best Actor award in the 49-year history of the November 14-23, 2008 Thessaloniki International Film Festival in Greece, regarding film Selda. This year he got Best Supporting Actor nominations from URIAN for Tambolista and won Best actor from Manunuri for Selda. Sid is under Talent Factory management headed by Ricky Gallardo

No.14 Malahay Diana (Actress)

Diana is a freelance theater practitioner. She has acted in various plays of Dulaang Laboratoryo, Dulaang UP and Tanghalang Pilipino. Her theater credits include: Cetti’s The Queen and the Rebels/ Ang Reyna at mga Rebelde, Cocteau’s The Eagle has Two Heads/ Kamatayan ng Dinastiya for Dulaang Laboratoryo; Hibik at Himagsikan nina Viktoria Laktaw, Juan’s Shadow’s of the Reef/ Mga Anak ng Dagat for Dulaang U.P.; Euripedes’ Troyanas, Himala: The Musical, Pirandello’s It is So, If You Think So/ Yun na Nga, Kung Yun na Nga!, F. Sionil Jose’s Mass for Tanghalang Pilipino. Last Year, she performed Okina and Sisa in Okina at Ang Paglalakbay ni Sisa sa Laguna; A Noh Play, a joint project of UP Ceneter for International Studies (CIS), Japan Foundation and Shizuoka University of Arts and Culture in Celebratio of Philippines- Japan Friendship year. She has also written and staged new one-act plays for a thesis production: PIGTAS and hamog na bakal. She has appeared in some TV programs in ABS-CBN and GMA7.

No.15 Martin Coco (Actor)

Coco is a film and television actor. He has appeared in several TV commercials before breaking into showbiz with his debut film Masahista which won him the Young Critics Circle Best Actor Award in 2006. He also starred in Kaleldo in 2006. He's the father of a child born on June 3, 2005 by his co-star in the movie Masahista and ex-girlfriend, Katherine Luna. Early in 2007, Coco became an exclusive artist of GMA Network, and appeared in several GMA TV shows starting with "Daisy Siete Season 15". He is also a member of the boy-group The Studs.

No.16 Reyes Arnold

Arnold is a familiar face on television, having done ads for several products like Globe Telecom, Lucky Me, San Miguel and more. However Arnold is not stranger to the world of theater. Credits include Dulaang U.P’s St. Louis Loves Dem Filipinos, Hibik at Himagsik nina Viktoria Laktaw and winter’s Tale: Atlants’ Rent, Actor’s Repertory’s Romeo and Juliet and florante at Laura; Gantimpala’s Grethology, Kanser, Sinag and pepe and Pilar; Chase International’s Once on this Island,among Others. He has also produced and composed songs for Regine Velasquez (Perry’s Will), Ogie Alcasid (Hanggang Saan Hanggang Kailan), Born Diva Album (Di Man Lang Nagpaalam), K and the Boxers (Ikaw Lang), Anton Diva (Paano Na), Erik Santos( You and Kung Maalala Mo.) His song Paano Na? won him the siler prize in the 200 Metro Pop Song Writing Festival, and in 2003, his composition Kung Ako Ba siya? Won the Texter’s Choice Award and was a finalist in the first Himig Handog Love Song Festival. Most Recently, Arnold got nominations as Best Stage Actor from Aliw Award for his portrayal Ang Bayot, and Maranao at ang Habal-Habal sa Isang Nakakabagot na Paghihintay sa Kanto ng Lanao del Norte.

No. 17. Sese Neil Ryan (Actor)

Neil is an actor for stage, television and film. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Theater arts from the University of the Philippines. From then on, guided by his mentors, he honed craft by taking part in various. To new a few, he appeared in Shakespearean classics such as Othello (Dulaang U.P); Merchant of Venice, Taming of the Shrew (UP Shakespearean Company); Greek classics like Oedipus Rex (Dulaang UP) and Troyanas (Tanghalang Pilipino), Kanser (Gantimpala) , Laro (Gantimpala) and Asian Drama like St. Louis Loves Dem Filipinos (Dulanng UP); Hudhud (TP), Kanjicho (Dulanng UP), Sepharad: Voces de Exilio, Basilia ng Malolos ( UPPT), Orpheus Descending (TP) and Sa Ngalan ng Anak (Dulaang UP) and line producer of the digital film Laya. He is one of the visible character actors on television.

No. 18. Servo, Yul (Actor)

Yul is John Marvin Nieto in real life. Yul is now a councilor in Manila. Yul Servo has been honored in Belgium, where he accepted his Best Actor award for the film “Torotot” (international title: “Destierro”). His other film, Brutus, was named Best Asian Film during the 35th edition of the Brussels International Independent Film Festival. He is under the management of Maryo J. de los Reyes. He won as Best supporting actor from 2008 Cinemalaya film Festival for Brutus.

No.19 Soriano Meryll (Actress)

Meryll is an actor, image model\product endorser, and TV personality. She started acting on screen through the kiddie's sitcom "It Bullingit" with other child star performers on ABS - CBN. Although she is known as the niece of Diamond Actress Maricel Soriano and First child of Wowowee host Willie Revillame. She is better known as a young, bubbly child star who has grown to be a charming, vibrant, talented serious teen actress and performer. She is part of ABS-CBN's I Love Betty La Fea and Milk Magic endorser. In 2006 she won as Best Actress in the movie "Roomboy" an entry for Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and 2007 Best Supporting Actress from Gawad Urian for Rotonda (2006). She has set to prove that she is a true Filipino actress in her own special way.

No.20 Jodi Sta.Maria Lacson

Jodi Chrissie Santamaria-Lacson, sometimes credited as Jodi Sta. Maria, Jodie Santamaria or Jodi Santa Maria, is a Filipina actress. She is a member of ABS-CBN's circle of homegrown talents named Star Magic. She is a Star Magic Batch 7 alumni. Met future husband Pampi Lacson while at the set of "Tabing ilog" (2000). Pampi was tagged by a friend in visiting 'Desiree del Valle'. It was Jodi who asked to be introduced to Pampi. She is married to Panfilo "Pampi" Lacson Jr., who is the son of Philippine politician Panfilo Lacson Together, they have a son named Thirdy.

Recently she bagged the Best Actress award from 2008 Cinemanila Film Festival for her outstanding portrayal as Sisa.

The Complete lists of 2009 Top 20 Independent artists in alphabetical order (1) Abalos, Jason (2)Aguilos, Kalila (3) Aquino, Angel (4) Bayani, Angeli (5) Calzado, Iza (6) Camañag, Roeder (Actor) (7) De Castro, Glaiza (8) Dizon, Mylene (9) Domingo, Eugene (10) Escaño, Perry (11) Galura, Alchris (12) Geisler, Baron (13) Lucero, Sid (14) Malahay, Diana (15) Martin, Coco (16) Reyes, Arnold (17) Sese, Neil Ryan (18)Servo, Yul(19) Soriano, Meryll (20) Sta. Maria, Jodi.

2009 Top Twenty Independent Artists

by Donna Villanueva / Young Filmmakers of the Philippines (YFMP)