MMFF 2016: ‘Die Beautiful’ star Paolo Ballesteros wins Best Actor

MANILA, Philippines  (UPDATED)– Die Beautiful star Paolo Ballesteros won Best Actor in a Leading Role at the Metro Manila Film Festival 2016 awards night on Thursday, December 29 at the Kia Theatre.

Paolo also won Best Actor at the Tokyo International Film Festival for his role in Die Beautiful last November 3.

Directed by Jun Lana, Die Beautiful is about a trans woman’s final wish to be laid to rest as a beautiful woman, and has been hailed for trans representation and for Ballesteros’ powerful performance. 

Paolo, who was not able to attend the awards night posted a short message on Instagram.

“Direeeeekkkk!!!! [Maraming] salamat mga dabarkads! MMFF [salamat]!” (Thank you dabakards! MMFF thank you.)

Direeeeekkkk!!!!  mariming salamat mga dabarkads! MMFF salmat! #mmff2016 #gabiNgParangal #dieBeautiful

A photo posted by Paolo Ballesteros (@pochoy_29) on Dec 29, 2016 at 7:20am PST

This year, the MMFF films are set to run in theaters until January 3. – Rappler.com

More MMFF 2016 on Rappler here: 

• FULL LIST: Winners, MMFF 2016 Gabi ng Parangal
• MMFF 2016: ‘Oro’ star Irma Adlawan wins Best Actress
• MMFF 2016: ‘Die Beautiful’ star Paolo Ballesteros wins Best Actor
• MMFF 2016: ‘Sunday Beauty Queen’ wins Best Picture
• MMFF 2016: ‘Oro’ wins Best Ensemble Cast
• MMFF 2016: Erik Matti wins Best Director for ‘Seklusyon’
• FULL LIST: 8 MMFF 2016 entries, trailers revealed
• MMFF 2016: ‘Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 2’ tackles the making of a romcom
• MMFF 2016: The connection between ‘Die Beautiful’ and Jennifer Laude
• MMFF 2016: ‘Kabisera,’ a layered and complex family drama
• MMFF 2016: Based on true events, ‘Oro’ brings tough issues to light
• [MMFF 2016] Saving ‘Saving Sally,’ 12 years in the making
• MMFF 2016: In Erik Matti’s ‘Seklusyon,’ terror comes for you – slowly
• MMFF 2016: 5 things to know about ‘Sunday Beauty Queen’
• MMFF 2016: 5 things to know about ‘Vince and Kath and James’
• MMFF 2016 revamped: 10 important changes to know
• Box office update: MMFF 2016 reveals day 1 top grossing films
• MMFF 2016 films face looming challenge to remain in theaters
• MMFF 2016: 4 films grant 30% discount to students, senior citizens, PWDs
• An MMFF 2016 rundown: Why you should watch all 8 entries
• WATCH: See the floats and the stars at the MMFF 2016 Parade!
• LOOK: Vibrant MMFF 2016 floats from the Parade of Stars
• MMFF 2016: No CEB grade for ‘Kabisera,’ director speaks up