‘It would be good to note that SPEEd plays crucial roles beyond award-giving. Some key responsibilities include promoting and advocating for Philippine cinema.’
The cinematic landscape of the Philippines is punctuated by a proliferation of award-giving bodies, each with its own distinct voice and perspective. From the venerable Gawad Urian and Young Critics Circle to FAMAS, FAP, Star Awards and the recently resurrected MMPress, all vie for attention in the ongoing recognition of film and entertainment artistry.
In recent years, however, a new trend has emerged: private companies have entered the awards circuit, transforming what was once a celebration of artistic merit into a commercial spectacle.
Moreover, educational institutions have joined this movement as well, establishing their own award bodies as practical applications of film theory and criticism taught in classrooms. While this may seem like a practical exercise, it often devolves into an unbridled display of fandom, where idolatry supplants critical discourse. The resulting awards ceremonies begin to resemble grand fan conventions, rather than nuanced evaluations of artistic excellence. This phenomenon raises questions about the efficacy and integrity of these awards, and whether they truly serve the interests of the artistic community or merely perpetuate a culture of celebrity worship.
In contrast, the Entertainment Editors’ Choice Awards — popularly known as the Eddys and presented by the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd) — is a legitimate and meaningful endeavor for several reasons: 1. Industry expertise. The Entertainment Editors, comprising seasoned journalists and critics, possess in-depth knowledge of the film industry; their expertise enables them to evaluate and recognize outstanding works. 2. Promoting local cinema. The Eddys highlights and celebrates excellence in Filipino cinema, promoting local talent and encouraging growth within the industry. 3. Diverse perspectives. As entertainment editors, they bring a range of insights and opinions, ensuring a well-rounded evaluation of films and performances. 4. Independent recognition. The Eddys provides an independent platform for recognizing film excellence, separate from other award-giving bodies, offering a unique perspective on the industry. 5. Supporting emerging talent. By acknowledging new and rising artists, the Eddys contributes to the development and nurturing of the Philippine film industry.
On Sunday, July 20 in a grand awards night at the Centennial Hall of the Marriott Grand Ballroom at the Newport World Resorts in Pasay City, SPEEd will roll out their choices – and while the winners may come from various production companies, my fearless forecast (and understandably so) are based on the winners of MMFF50: Best Picture: “Green Bones”; Best Actress: Judy Ann Santos (“Espantaho”); Best Actor: Dennis Trillo (“Green Bones”); Best Supporting Actress: Kakki Teodoro (“Isang Himala”); Best Supporting Actor: Ruru Madrid (“Green Bones”), with the exception of Best Director Zig Dulay (because the MMFF50 winners in this category are not nominated). We’ll watch out if our list will match the SPEEd’s choices.
It would be good to note that SPEEd plays crucial roles beyond award-giving. Some key responsibilities include promoting and advocating for Philippine cinema. SPEEd should continue supporting local filmmakers and films, helping to increase their visibility and appreciation. Part of their job is providing constructive criticism. Through reviews and articles, members offer informed critiques that can help improve filmmaking and guide audiences. They also, through their outputs, document film history. SPEEd members contribute to preserving the country’s cinematic heritage by documenting notable films, filmmakers and industry trends.
The group also supports film education and literacy. By sharing knowledge and expertise, SPEEd helps foster film appreciation and education among audiences. They also help in industry engagement and networking. SPEEd can facilitate connections between entertainment editors, filmmakers, and industry stakeholders, promoting collaboration and growth, and obviously, they advocate for industry issues. SPEEd addresses concerns affecting the film industry, such as piracy, funding, distribution challenges and even filmmakers welfare.
By fulfilling these roles, SPEEd contributes to the development and sustainability of the Philippine film industry which is very much challenged these days.
