It was a historic night for the team behind the epic biographical drama Quezon, which emerged as the biggest winner of the 9th Entertainment Editors’ Choice Awards (The Eddys). The film captured five of the most prestigious awards, including the highly coveted Best Picture award, cementing its status as a cinematic triumph!
Photo: TBA Studios
Organized by the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd), the annual awards ceremony celebrated the “best of the best” in Filipino filmmaking. Quezon led the pack with major victories across both artistic and technical categories: Best Picture, Best Actor (Jericho Rosales), Best Director (Jerrold Tarog), Best Screenplay (Jerrold Tarog & Rody Vera), and Best Production Design (Monica Sebial).
Accepting the award for Best Director, filmmaker Jerrold Tarog reflected on the monumental task of completing the acclaimed historical trilogy that began with Heneral Luna and Goyo: The Boy General.
“Basically, my only job on set is to say yes or no to the decisions of other incredibly talented people. So my main job is really just to pick the best collaborators.” Tarog stated in his acceptance speech. “Because of that, I share this award with everyone on my team, because you are all so amazing. It’s a Best Director award, but I wouldn’t be here without all of your hard work.
As Quezon was announced as Best Picture, TBA Studios President, COO, and the film’s producer, Daphne O. Chiu-Soon, took the stage alongside the cast and crew to express her profound gratitude. She highlighted the immense challenges of bringing a world-class production of this scale to life.
“Receiving this recognition for ‘Best Film’ is truly a milestone, and I am deeply grateful to be standing here among such talented peers.” Chiu-Soon shared emotionally. “This film was a massive labor of love, and it would not have been possible without the tireless dedication of the entire production team, the cast, our office staff, our marketing and distribution teams, and our partners. You brought this vision to life with so much heart and made Quezon truly worth experiencing on the big screen!”
Quezon entered the 9th Eddys as the most acclaimed film of the season, earning a staggering 11 nominations from the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd). The film earned recognition across nearly every creative and technical category:
Nominated and Won:
- Best Picture
- Best Director
- Best Actor
- Best Production Design
- Best Screenplay
Nominated:
- Best Cinematography
- Best Editing
- Best Sound
- Best Musical Score
- Best Visual Effects
- Best Theme Song
Quezon delves deep into the political maneuverings, personal sacrifices, and complex legacy of one of the Philippines’ most charismatic founding fathers. By stripping away standard hagiography, the film presents a deeply humanized portrait of leadership that has resonated heavily with modern audiences and critics alike.
With five major Eddys trophies now under its belt, Quezon stands tall as a definitive cinematic achievement and a must-watch cultural milestone.
