Behind the Scenes: A Closer Look at Erap, Charo, Laurice, and Lav from the Perspective of Their Colleagues and Peers

• The 2025 Parangal ng Sining recognized former President Joseph Estrada, Charo Santos-Concio, Laurice Guillen, and Lav Diaz for their contributions to Philippine cinema
• Erap’s Lifetime Achievement Award was accepted by his son and grandson, with tributes from colleagues and collaborators
• Laurice Guillen was honored for her work as a filmmaker and actress, as well as her leadership in the independent film community
• Charo Santos-Concio was praised for her leadership and continued achievements in the industry
• John Lloyd Cruz gave a heartfelt tribute to Lav Diaz, calling him his personal hero and thanking him for his influence in his career

Entertainment Erap, Charo, Laurice & Lav through the eyes of colleagues, peers

Fresh from its European premiere at the Berlinale, ‘Sunshine’ by Antoinette Jadaone is given the Annual Achievement Award as presented by Butch Francisco and direk Joey.STAR / File The Lifetime Achievement Awardees at the third Film Development Council of the Philippines’ Parangal ng Sining received something far more enduring — heartfelt tributes from fellow artists whose lives and careers they’ve touched.

During this year’s ceremony recognizing “film giants and industry stakeholders” held on April 11 at Seda Vertis North in Quezon City, industry colleagues, collaborators, and mentees shared personal stories about this year’s honorees: former President and action star Joseph Ejercito Estrada, actress and former ABS-CBN Corp. president and CEO Charo Santos-Concio, director, and actress Laurice Guillen, and internationally-acclaimed filmmaker Lav Diaz. The 2025 Parangal ng Sining carried the theme, “Ang Mga Higante ng Kasaysayan ng Ating Pelikula: Tradisyon at Ebolusyon.”

Former President Joseph ‘Erap’ Estrada’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the FDCP’s Parangal ng Sining is accepted on his behalf by his son, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, and grandson, Jolo Estrada.

FDCP chair Jose Javier “Joey” Reyes acknowledged that Philippine cinema finds itself in an age of challenge. “But because of the inspiration provided by these people, we know that we can go on,” he said during the event.

The Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (MOWELFUND) chair Boots Anson-Roa-Rodrigo was the one who presented the award to Erap, who founded MOWELFUND five decades ago. Sharing personal memories, she said: “Joseph Estrada and I worked together on several films. Two of my favorites are ‘Ander Di Saya Si Erap’ (1973) and ‘Tatay Na Si Erap’ (1972). Maybe it’s because of these that he became so well-known as ‘Erap’ — which, for those who don’t know, is ‘pare’ spelled backward. It’s true he wasn’t just my leading man, he was also my erap, my kumpare, and dear friend.”

The veteran actress continued, “When I got married for the second time in 2014, he was one of our godfathers, so whenever we saw each other, nagmamano ako sa kanya (I would kiss his hand to show respect), and he would do the same to me. Our bond grew even stronger through our work with MOWELFUND. That’s where I truly saw that Erap’s heart was full of love for the film industry and for service.

“He brought action not just in his movies, he was also an action man behind the camera. He not only fought kontrabidas (villains), he also fought the rights of the film workers.”

Meanwhile, direk Laurice was recognized not only for her body of work as a filmmaker and actress but also for her role as a guiding force in the independent film community.

Veteran actor and former FDCP chair Tirso Cruz III described her impact this way: “She’s a standard of movie excellence. But her work doesn’t stop at that, it goes beyond filmmaking into giving back, heralding new writers, cinematographers, producers, and more. One new generation after another.

“Her vision and leadership as the president of the Cinemalaya Film Festival proves that a film legend is not limited to making movies but also in making movie makers.”

ABS-CBN head of TV production and Star Magic, direk Laurenti Dyogi, on the other hand, paid tribute to his former boss Charo, describing her as a leader who expects the best but also gives the best.

“Some people have the impression that Ma’am Charo is a demanding boss. Well, she is. She demands a strong sense of professionalism and a high standard of excellence in everything that we do. But alongside this pressure, we experience a boss who’s scary, supportive, and a very nurturing mentor,” he said.

He also pointed out that the recognition comes at a time when Charo continues to break ground in her career.

“It would seem quite premature to celebrate her lifetime achievement award because she continues to achieve and evolve, effortlessly transitioning roles in front of the camera and then behind it and then on cam again.

“At this stage of her life and career, she’s back hosting the much-loved anthology ‘MMK’ and becoming a leading lady to one of the most popular actors of this generation (‘Only We Know’ with Dingdong Dantes). That’s what you call — range.”

But it was John Lloyd Cruz who gave perhaps the most unconventional and stirring tribute of the evening. Wearing a black cap, eyeglasses, and a face mask, he emerged on the stage, placing his phone on the microphone stand to play a pre-recorded, emotional message for direk Lav.

“Kaunti na lang kayong natitira, kaya sa maliit na paraan kung paano ko kayo mapagbibigyan ng pagpapahalaga sana makarating sa inyo. Sana maramdaman ninyo, sana walang salitang tumapat. Maraming-maraming salamat. Maraming salamat dumating ka sa buhay ko. Salamat tinulungan mo ako.”

(There are only a few of you around, so I hope that in this small way of showing my appreciation, it somehow reaches you. I hope you feel it, I hope no words can match it. Thank you very, very much. Thank you for coming into my life. Thank you for helping me.)

After the audio message, he turned to the crowd and said: “For the record, I asked permission for that. I was told I had two to three minutes. Hindi po ako nang-aabuso (I’m not taking advantage). I just don’t want to take it for granted.”

Then, he addressed the Golden Leopard (Locarno Film Festival) and Golden Lion (Venice Film Festival) award-winning director in the audience once again: “Today is your day, Lav and it’s also a day for cinema. Maraming salamat sa lahat ng kabutihang idinulot mo, hindi lang sa akin kundi sa lahat ng nakasalamuha mo,” reiterating, “Direk, maraming-maraming salamat — mula sa amin ni Elias (his son).”

(Thank you for all the goodness you’ve shared, not just with me but with everyone you’ve worked with. Direk, thank you so much — from me and Elias.)

After his abrupt hiatus from mainstream showbiz in 2017, John Lloyd made a comeback via successive auteur-driven and independent films, most of which were collaborations with direk Lav, such as “Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis,” “Ang Babaeng Humayo,” “Historya ni Ha,” with “Essential Truths of the Lake,” being the latest. This creative shift has been largely credited to direk Lav’s influence.

“Alam ko ayaw ni Direk yung mga ganitong awarding-awarding. Pero Direk, malaki po yung naidudulot na kabutihan at saka pagtulong ang pag-reach out ninyo dun sa mga unlikely na makaunawa ng sining na ginagawa ninyo.

(I know Direk doesn’t like these award-giving events. But Direk, your efforts to reach out — especially to those who are unlikely to understand your kind of art — bring so much good and help…)

“Hindi matutumbasan yung ginhawa na naidulot ninyo dahil puwede pala yung ganoong klase ng trabaho. Puwede pala yung ganoong paghahayag na walang panghuhusga, walang grading system.”

(The kind of comfort you’ve given can’t be measured — because it turns out, work like that is possible. That kind of expression, one without judgment or a grading system, is possible.)

John Lloyd ended his message by calling Lav his personal hero.

/Digital Sauce