Actress Ai-Ai delas Alas is overflowing with joy after winning Best Actress in a prestigious film festival in Portugal for her convincing portrayal of a child trafficker in the movie School Service.
The film, which saw the seasoned comedienne in another light as the antagonist 'Nanay Rita', was an official entry to last year's Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, which was first to recognize her as Best Actress.
On Sunday, Ai-Ai took to Instagram to thank the Fantasporto-Oporto International Film Festival for the special recognition.
"MAGANDANG UMAGA AT NAPAKAGANDANG GISING ... una sa lahat maraming salamat sa atung mahal na ina MAMA MARY AND SA ATING BUTIHING AMA LORD MARAMING SALAMAT PO SA NAPAKA GANDANG BLESSINGS NA ITO SA 2019 ... and thank YOU very much FANTASPORTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AWARD ( PORTUGAL).. for the best actress award maraming maraming salamat [sic]," she said.
Ai-Ai dedicated her award to her co-actors, award-winning filmmaker Louie Ignacio, and the rest of the team that made up School Service.
"Nais kong i share ang award na ito sa aking mga co actors sa pelikulang SCHOOL SERVICE ... sa aking peborit director at ang maswerteng ka tandem ko pag gumagawa kami ng movie DIREK LOUI IGNACIO 💚... salamat ferdie lapuz at dennis evangelista tita baby go forproducing this film BG PRODUCTIONS) [sic]," she said.
"At sa aking pamilya at mga anak SANCHO SHAUN SOPHIA ANDREI AND SAILOR--- sa aking pogi ar mabait na asawa GERALD ( mahal ko kayo kaya ko binubuhos ang powers ko para sa inyo hehe).. at sa lahat ng nanood nito at manonood pa [sic]," she added.
To have tied with Ai-Ai as Best Actress was Ina Raymundo, who starred in another Cinemalaya entry Kuya Wes, alongside Ogie Alcasid.
Another Cinemalaya film, Kung Paano Hinihintay Ang Dapithapon was also given recognition in the international film fest as a nominee for two categories - Director's Week and Orient Express.