Bidaman Ron Macapagal's directorial movie debut wins Best Short Film in Russia

Bidaman Ron Macapagal is not only an actor but a director as well. After winning five (5) Best Actor awards from the movies "Ama Ka Ng Anak Mo", "Beki't Ako" and "Cuckoo"  his manager, Direk Romm Burlat offered him an assistant directorial job for the heritage drama film, "Mammangi (Abot Kamay Ang Pangarap)". Hesitant to do the job for fear that he may not be ready for it, Macapagal humbly turned the offer down. But Direk Romm's constant prodding led to Bidaman Ron's approval despite the feeling of first-time jitters. But his manager promised to guide him from pre-production until the post-production of the film shot entirely in the progressive City of Ilagan in Isabela. With the concerted efforts of the cast and the production team headed by the award-winning Cinematographer Jasper Ello and  cameraman extraordinaire, EJ Gallego, "Mammangi" turned out to be one of the best movies directed by the multi-awarded Burlat.

The movie was first fielded as an entry to the Urduja Film Festival and it earned two awards: Best Heritage Film and a Best Actor (Lead Actor Excellence Award) for Macapagal. To-date, he has a total of six(6) Best Actor awards. It was followed by its official selection at the Sinelamdag Film Festival in Mindanao. "Mammangi" was also one of the featured movies at the Cinema Rehiyon held in Naga City, Camarines Sur and an official selection in the Roshani International Film Festival in India. Last month, "Mammangi" was finalist as Best Film in the Prague International Film Festival in Czech Republic.

Just today, the movie which has an international title of "Homecoming" won Best Short Film in the Eurasia International Film Festival in Moscow, Russia beating several entries in the world. It is the only winning entry from Southeast Asia. Kudos to the producer of the film, Dr. Jay Diaz of the City of Ilagan, Isabela, its director, Romm Burlat, assistant director, Ron Macapagal, the lead stars of the film, Macapagal, first councilor of Ilagan Jayve Diaz and former Mocha girls, Jhane Santaguel and Seika Samonte.

Because of the success of Macapagal as assistant director of "Homecoming (Mammangi)", Direk Romm is giving him another project, "Bata Pa Si Abel" where he will be the man at the helm, the main director this time.

Good Luck and more blessings, Bidaman Ron Macapgal!