2023 was definitely a year of boldness and brilliance for local entertainment, as a number of stars left both critics and regular audiences in awe of their spectacular performances, that defied conventions and expectations.
With the pandemic already over, the local entertainment scene joined the rest of the world in fully recovering from the debilitating impact that made the industry come to a standstill. It’s tempting to say that’s the same case for everybody, but what the past year suggests, is that we are definitely headed to the right direction, that is to a point when everything is normal, or possibly, a lot better. Alongside such a hopeful projection we tracked last year, is the rise of powerful performances. Have we emptied the arsenal of mind-blowing talents? It appears we haven’t yet, as we relentlessly got bombarded with convention-defying takes and portrayals in both television and film. Thanks to the continuing evolution of our creative minds, the ingenious new ideas they injected to their scripts, became instrumental to discovering new talents, as well, as well as to bringing back icons to the spotlight.
Cedrick Juan in GomBurZa.
Juan was a familiar face with an unfamiliar name when he got to the stage of the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival, to accept his first MMFF trophy. Have I seen him in one of shows I followed religiously, last year? Or was it five years ago? With Jesuit Communications’ GomBurZa, the theater actor introduced himself in a way everybody would remember his name; he made sure his take on Padre Burgos, would not just stir nationalistic consciousness among the Filipino audience, but also leave his spectators amazed and appreciative of the enormous gift of a talent he just presented.
John Arcilla in Dirty Linen.
Dirty Linen was called by many as a landscape-defying drama teeming with spicy and bold social commentaries. Thanks to its ensemble of ultra-talented actors, we finally got to see a local production whose every character had a solid story to tell. That’s the case for Carlos Fierro, who despite his nefarious background, has one of the most interesting motivations for a villain in a local soap opera. Arcilla was fully committed to bringing the wickedness of the character to life, with vivid colors as well as haunting intensity, and he took and succeeded its artistic challenges with flying colors.
KaladKaren in Here Comes the Groom.
Jervy Li a.k.a. KaladKaren benefited massively from the intelligent script (albeit without loopholes) in which her character was made to play. That is not to say she did not render any good work, because if anything, she did marvels for the role. Li succeeded the physical and emotional challenges of the character, and made it soar with her incredibly chuckle-worthy antics and overflowing comic brilliance.
Romnick Sarmenta in About Us But Not About Us.
Sarmenta is a clear victor of restraint and subtlety, in a film where volume is mostly delivered in the form of long conversations and visuals that carry thousands of meanings. In About Us But Not About Us, he is a master of what he does, his portrayal a screaming testament to his mettle as a refined and top caliber actor. No wonder he won Best Actor at the 2023 Summer Metro Manila Film Festival for his riveting portrayal in the film.
Dingdong Dantes in Royal Blood.
It was a tough feat to stand out among characters excellently played by equally remarkable actors. But Napoy, portrayed with incredible grit and commitment by Dingdong Dantes, is undoubtedly front and center, in GMA Network’s breathtaking thriller, Royal Blood. The Kapuso actor dazzled with his unsurprising artistry, and while much of the flair he delivered was made possible of his wonderfully-written character, his take on Napoy and its rich layers, was certainly one of the series’ most important assets.
Baron Geisler in The Iron Heart.
Geisler’s stint in undeniably one of 2023’s best-directed series, The Iron Heart, may be brief, but he certainly pulled off fantastic moments. In one of the most heartbreaking death scenes of the series, where his character, Janus, murdered Anna Marin’s Delia, he went completely deranged and delivered what could only be described as a showcase of sheer talent.
Janine Gutierrez in Dirty Linen.
Gutierrez wasn’t the chef de resistance in the group of revenge-seeking individuals featured by the crime-thriller, Dirty Linen. And yet, she was at the forefront of the war being waged against the Fierros, her fierceness and feisty advances front and center in its pursuit. As Alexa and Mila, she was moving the pieces in the game of vengeance of deceit against the autocratic family with careful maneuver, but what truly made her soar, are the moments when her character committed its deadliest mistakes: falling in love with an enemy, show compassion for her oppresors, that is. In such moments, Gutierrez delivered a breathtaking spectacle, owning her spotlight completely with her unquestionable talent and grace.
Nadine Lustre in Deleter.
Deleter defied expectations when it ended up dominating both the awards night and the box office game of the 48th Metro Manila Film Festival, but so its lead and title star, Lustre, who bagged the Best Actress trophy for her exemplary performance, as Lyra. She did so amid the loopholes in the overall execution of the film and its flawed storytelling. What made her character truly soar is how she managed to vividly showcase the layers of her role, despite its generally monotonous structure, a feat only actors of enormous dexterity like her, can deliver.
Kathryn Bernardo in A Very Good Girl.
Bernardo may have entered a new era in her career via A Very Good Girl, but the brilliance she exhibited in the blockbuster film, was nothing unheard-of. That said, it was still worthy of mention, given the scarcity of the mindblowing talents to come from ultra-popular personalities, in 2023. As the vengeance-driven Mercy, she met Dolly de Leon’s imposing skillfulness head-to-head, rendering a singular performance that overflows of soulfulness, as well as gutsiness.
Rhian Ramos in Royal Blood.
Ramos was a delightful revelation in primetime murder-mystery series, Royal Blood. As Margaret Royales, she was among those vital assets of the show that set the tonal atmosphere of the plot, as well as drive the secret-filled proceedings forward. She was a major player, and yet it wasn’t entirely the size of her role that made Margaret a stand out through-and-through. Ramos’ outstanding portrayal, alone, made her a scene stealer.
Did we miss your bets last year? Head now to the comment section to share your favorite performers of 2023. Make sure to share what made them stand-outs too!
