MANILA – Director Paul Soriano, who is the producer of the movie “Transit,” is now in talks for the distribution of the acclaimed Filipino film in the United States, according to his girlfriend, actress-host Toni Gonzaga.
This after the Film Academy of the Philippines chose “Transit” to be the country’s official entry to the 86th Academy Awards.
Speaking on “The Buzz” where she is a host on Sunday, Gonzaga said Soriano wants to do everything to boost the movie's chances of earning an official nomination.
“They will be competing against 70 countries and we are aiming for the Oscars. Actually next week -- tinanong ko na kay Paul kung puwede ko i-announce -- he is already meeting with Hollywood producers who are interested in distributing ‘Transit’ and promoting it in the States,” she said.
Ever the supportive girlfriend, Gonzaga said she is proud and happy for Soriano, who, she said, gave his all when they were doing this film.
“It was a tough decision daw for the Film Academy of the Philippines but actually it came as a shock to them. I got the text from Paul, I was sleeping. I woke up 2 p.m kasi galing kami sa shoot, tapos ang text lang niya sa akin ‘Please wake up, good news.’ So I called him right away and he said na ‘Tin, God is good. 'Transit' is chosen as the representative of the Philippines na makapasok sa Oscars.’ I think the Oscars is going to be in March and the whole campaign will be in December and January,” she shared.
Drawing laughter from the audience, Gonzaga said she will be the one to propose marriage to Soriano if he gets to bring home the Oscar.
“Pag naiuwi mo iyan, ako ang magpo-propose sa iyo. Nag-cameo kasi ako doon. So puwede akong rumampa doon talaga,” she said.
Shot in Herzliya, Israel, "Transit" tells the story of Moises (Ping Medina) and Janet (Irma Adlawan), two overseas Filipinos who are forced to hide their respective children (Marc Justine Alvarez and Jasmine Curtis-Smith) after learning of the government's plan to deport children of foreign workers.
The October 1 deadline for film submissions will be followed by the Academy's release of a list of eligible entries later that month. This will be trimmed down to nine finalists in January, with the final five nominees announced in the same month.
The 86th Academy Awards ceremony will be held on March 2 at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, California.
