Alfred Vargas is on cloud nine following his win as best actor at the recently concluded FAMAS Awards for his performance in “Pieta.”
During a recent meeting, he told us how he actually spent that night hugging his trophy.
“Ginawa kong unan itong trophy. Actually, hindi ako nakatulog sa sobrang saya ko. I feel super grateful talaga sa recognition,” he related.
To be clear, it isn’t Alfred’s first award.
He has received a number of accolades prior both as actor and public servant.
But the FAMAS trophy is significant for him mainly because it was something unexpected.
He shared, “Nagpunta ako doon ng wala akong inaasahan whatsoever so, it was really surprising. Kaya nga din overwhelming ang moment na yun para sa akin. Actually, nung tinawag ‘yung pangalan ko, nagulat ako. At na-recognize pa tayo para sa ‘Pieta’ na passion project ko talaga.”
“I’m just so happy na ‘yung simple at maliit naming pelikula ay napansin,” he added. “Pinaghirapan natin ito at very proud tayo.”
At this point, Alfred is focused on making sure many Filipinos would be able to watch “Pieta,” which also co-stars the one and only Superstar, Nora Aunor.
“I-to-tour namin ito all over the country,” he divulged. “I think dapat ito mapanood ng marami, lalo na ng mga fans ni Ate Guy so definitely, we will bring it to Bicol.”
As to those simply waiting for it to hit popular streaming platforms, Alfred maintained, “Hindi muna namin dadalhin doon.”
“Unfortunately, we have to face the reality na kapag pinalabas na yan sa streaming sites, hindi na yan panonoorin sa cinemas. Priority natin siyempre is cinema.”
Apart from Nora, the film also stars Gina Alajar, and the late Jaclyn Jose, among other acting greats.
Alfred made sure to thank them for their contributions to the film in his acceptance speech.
“Ang laki ng ginawa ni Ate Guy para magampanan ko talaga ‘yung karakter ko ng maayos,” Alfred acknowledged. “She’s the Superstar but she never made me feel uncomfortable. Inalalayan niya ako all throughout. Feeling ko, hindi ako mananalo ng award kung hindi dahil kay Ate Guy, kay Direk Gina na acting coach ko, at kay Ms. Jane, Jaclyn Jose.”
So, what’s next for him, we asked.
“I have an upcoming series on GMA titled ‘Forever Young’ so, yun lang muna and of course, the country-wide tour for ‘Pieta.’”
Given his numerous achievements, we asked Alfred as to what keeps him going.
He answered, “It’s love, pagmamahal. I love what I’m doing as actor and film producer and I love sharing it with people. Same goes with being a public servant. Mahal ko ang taumbayan at gusto ko talaga e yung parati tayong may naipapamahaging tulong at kasiyahan sa kanila.”
