“Happy is the person who learns to wait as he prays and never loses his patience, for God’s time is the perfect time.” — Alden Richards
by Leony R. Garcia
Alden Richards mobbed, outshined fellow stars and won first acting award during the 2015 Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) Star Awards for Television on December 3 at the Kia Theater, Cubao, Quezon City.
The country’s hottest male star clinched a major award for his performance in GMA Newtork’s Ilustrado, which was hailed Best Drama Mini Series.
Richards’s presence was overpowering. To halt the ensuing pandemonium (the moment he arrived and got seated along with other stars) — caused by viewers who want to get near, take a glimpse of the actor and have their photos taken with him—he has to be taken out to a private, guarded room at the backstage. In fairness, the Aldub Nation and the Aldenatics, seated on the balcony, are well-behaved. Except for chanting “Alden, Alden…” most of them remained seated ‘til the end of the program.
At the back stage, instant fans and curious spectators and even members of the media themselves, including this writer, still managed to slipped in and take their turns for a chit-chat and picture-taking with Richards.
Up close, Alden looks tired which is understandable since he came from the day’s work including the live presentation of Kalyeserye. Earlier, he was reported to be sick due to over-fatigue and it showed in his face but everything lightens up as soon as he smiles. Still he was accommodating and he happily obliged for requests for picture-taking and video-tape greetings.
When asked how he handles this kind of popularity, the bedimpled actor said: “I am taking all these one day at a time.”
In an impromptu speech, Richards thanked everyone he could think of and shared his favorite quote: “Happy is the person who learns to wait as he prays and never loses his patience, for God’s time is the perfect time.” He tweeted this quote earlier in August.
Indeed, Alden’s time has come with the many projects coming his way –TV, movie, recording and out-of-town shows. With the PMPC award, we expect more recognitions coming his way. He is after all, a talented artist who is serious with his craft and who knows how to look back, to give thanks to everyone he works with and to cherish his humble beginnings as an artist.
As film and TV director Jose Javier Reyes said, the Kapuso heartthrob is a cut above the rest. “He is not only a good actor but a perfect gentleman. I wish all the young performers will have the manners of Alden R.”
Apparently, Alden sent a thank you text for the article Reyes wrote about him and his equally phenomenal partner Maine “Yaya Dub” Mendoza on his blogsite (chokingonmyadobo.blogspot.com) in August 2015.
Opening sequence of ‘Ilustrado’ wins silver in PromaxBDA Asia 2015
Immediately after the big win at the PMPC Awards ceremony, here comes the news that the opening sequence of Ilustrado won the silver award for the Best Program Opening Sequence in the recently concluded PromaxBDA Asia Awards 2015 held in the Arts House, Singapore.
To watch Ilustrado opener, please click: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XL0uS4hmoA
The first BayaniSerye of Philippine primetime starring Alden made use of projection mapping according to creative director Eduardo ‘Dino’ Garcia.
“We were very proud of it because, unang una, it’s a series about our national hero. May ginawa kasi kami doon sa effects sa design, it’s what you call projection mapping. ‘Yun ‘yung parang may image sa loob ng isa pang image. It’s an image over an image. Actually marami na ang gumagawa niyan, like sa True Detective, nauuso na rin ‘yun. However, kami dito, parang projection mapping with a twist ang ginawa namin. Maraming layers, maraming visuals na magaganda na about sa history ng Pilipinas,” shares Garcia.
Gacia continues: “Kasi sa industriya ng broadcast promotion, ‘yung Promax ‘yung pinaka-recognized nating grupo. Kapag doon ka nanalo, you’re being voted by your peers just like in the Emmys and the Oscars. ‘Yun ‘yung katumbas namin. So proud talaga kami.”
