Original Source: http://www.masterdi wa.com/diwa- de-leon-winner- best-musical- score-cinema- one-awards/
It was always my life long dream to be a recognized composer in my own country. Today, my dream has finally begun to become reality.
From left: Monet Gaston (Yanggaw), Diwa de Leon, actress and Cinema One Jury member Eugene Domingo during the Cinema One Awards at ABS CBN (Nov. 28, 2008). Photo by Dwight Gaston.
I never expected today to be extraordinary for me. I was only supposed to deliver my band’s new album to the major newspapers to be reviewed. While on my way to Philippine Star’s office, I received an unusual phone call. It was from Mr. Ronald Arguelles himself, also known as the head of ABS CBN’s Cinema One Originals Productions. He asked me if I could drop by today at ABS CBN’s office, and I said yes. I had no clue what for, I thought it was only for a press release interview about the recently concluded Cinema One Originals (COO) screening.
Me with the cast and crew of Kolorete.
I made the original music score for the film “Kolorete”, (produced by COO) which gained two major awards, and several nominations including “Best Musical Score“. During the grand awards ceremonies held at Dolphy Theater of ABS CBN, (Nov. 28, 2008) the “Best Musical Score” award went to the movie “Alon”, another COO production.
However, there was a recent development. It was discovered (read: may nagsumbong), that the movie “Alon” didn’t use original music. The music they used in the film was actually existing copyrighted music by international composer/producer Brian Eno, used without permission. Upon discovering this, COO revoked the award and granted it to the second highest jury choice for “Best Musical Score”, and that is Diwa de Leon (ME!) for the movie “Kolorete”.
Being interviewed by ABS CBN about Kolorete.
When I arrived at ABS CBN, I was very clueless on what was about to happen. There was Ronald, holding a trophy and a piece of paper. The paper was actually an official statement from Cinema One itself. Long story short, all it said was that the previously announced winner was disqualified from the award, and is instead given to me. And it all happened on camera.
Now, if you have the Cinema One Cable TV Channel, you’d that they have playing the Cinema One awards ceremonies over and over for the past week, and they’ve been showing the award giving and speech of the previous awardee for Best Music Score. Now, they will replace it with the video we took at ABS CBN, they will now be showing me accepting the award!
Now don’t get me wrong, I have no bitter feelings towards anyone and I’m not bad mouthing the award giving body. I just want to state the facts that happened today. Mistakes happen to everyone. I’m only endlessly thankful for this recognition, albeit late.
With that said, I would like to thank all the people who ensured my path to music was indeed the right choice I made. Thanks to my father, Felipe de Leon Jr., who has always been my guide, critic, consultant, and adviser all-in one, thanks of course to “Kolorete’s” director Ruel Lozendo who gave me the chance and opportunity, and of course sa bandmates ko sa Makiling, and all the cast and crew of “Kolorete”.
Salamat sa inyo! Ngayon I can now call myself an “award-winning composer” *cough cough* and probably charge more from future clients*cough cough*! Hahaha!
Post a Comment