Filipino Film Community in L.A. celebrates Dolly de Leon with an ‘Evening of Gladness’
(Photo Credit: Sthanlee B. Mirador)
The Filipino film community in the Philippines and in Los Angeles joined forces to celebrate actress Dolly de Leon’s historic nomination at the 80th Golden Globe Awards.
Held last January 11, the event dubbed as “Evening of Gladness” saw the attendance of Filipino-American artists, filmmakers, and media to show their support for de Leon during the critical awards season campaign.
The event kicked-off with a Welcome Remarks from TBA Studios Head of International Sales & Acquisitions Cindy Sison and four-time Emmy-winner TV executive producer Lisa Lew, who graciously opened her home as the venue of the event. It was soon followed by a performance from young Fil-Am singer CJ Uy, who sang a rendition of Louis Armstrong’s “Hello, Dolly” with new lyrics written by former TBA Studios President Vincent Nebrida. Hollywood Foreign Press members and Filipino entertainment journalists Ruben and Janet Nepales introduced de Leon.
Cindy Sison, TBA Studios Head of International Sales & Acquisitions with Dolly de Leon and singer CJ Uy (Photo Credit: Sthanlee B. Mirador)
De Leon with multi-awarded TV producer Lisa Lew (Photo Credit: Sthanlee B. Mirador)
HFPA members and entertainment journalists Janet and Ruben Nepales (Photo Credit: Sthanlee B. Mirador)
De Leon took the stage and shared words of thanks to everyone back in the Philippines as well as in the U.S. who have tirelessly supported her throughout her journey.
Notable guests in attendance include Filipino American actors Dante Basco, Darion Basco, and Dion Basco, producer Peter Brennan, Korean-American actor Phillip Rhee, actors Andy Cheng and Peter Kwong, and filmmakers Marie Jamora and Quark Henares.
De Leon with Basco brothers (L-R) Darion, Dante, and Dion (Photo Credit: Sthanlee B. Mirador)
Guests were served with delectable dishes created by Chef Victor Cardet of Crustacean, Tiato with desserts care of Dessert by Dolci, featuring creations from Filipino-American pastry chefs Jillian Bartolome and Margarita Manzke.
De Leon, whose scene-stealing role in Ruben Östlund’s Palme d’Or-winning social satire “Triangle of Sadness”, have caught the attention of critics and prestigious award-giving bodies, earning her a win in the L.A. Film Critics Awards and a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Satellite Awards and Golden Globe Awards—a first for a Filipina to be nominated in the category.
(L-R) Amazon Prime Senior Development Executive Raphael Phang, Cindy Sison, Amazon Prime Head of Originals Erika North, Amazon Prime Head of Originals Philippines Quark Henares, and filmmaker Marie Jamora (Photo Credit: Sthanlee B. Mirador)
De Leon with Peter Brennan, Lisa Lew (Photo Credit: Sthanlee B. Mirador)
De Leon with Phillip Rhee (Photo Credit: Sthanlee B. Mirador)
The “Evening of Gladness” wouldn’t have been possible without the generous contribution and support of Lisa Lew as well as members of the Philippine congress Cong. Toff de Venecia, Cong. Edward Maceda, Cong. Rufus Rodriguez, Cong. Kiko Benitez, Cong. Ana Veloso-Tuazon, Cong. Linabelle Villarica, Former Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, Deputy Speaker Kristine Singson-Meehan, Cong. Lianda Bolilia, Cong. Rida Robes, Cong. Ria Vergara, Cong. Arjo Atayde, Cong. Bryan Revilla, Cong. Nikka Co, Cong. Stella Quimbo, Cong. Angelo Marcos Barba, Cong. Mark Go, and Deputy Speaker Camille Villar.
The event was spearheaded and organized by Lew’s PandL Productions and TBA Studios, the exclusive Philippine distributor of the film.
Special thanks to “Triangle of Sadness” U.S. distributor, Neon.