Although “Astig” did not win the Best Film award in the 2009 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, its director only has good words for the movie that beat them.

“Napanood ko ang ‘Last Supper No. 3’ (Cinemalaya 2009 Best Film) at kahit ako, nagandahan sa kwento nun. Pinatawa ako ng pelikula kaya deserving silang manalo,” said Direk GB Sampedro.

Many were surprised that despite being the most watched film among the finalists, and after winning the most number of awards (Best Supporting Actor, Best Editing, Best Sound Recording, and Best Director) in the festival, “Astig” was still unable to nab top prize.

Sampedro is first to downplay such talks and readily points out the merit of the other films.

“Lahat ng nakasali sa competition deserve to win. Kasi lahat kami, pinaghirapan namin yung kanya-kanyang produkto namin. May mga umaangat lang talaga sa bawat kategorya pero depende na din kasi 'yon sa panlasa ng hurado,” said Sampedro who was personally rooting for the Cinemalaya finalists  “Colorum” and “Dinig Sana Kita.”

The director did not deny that he hoped and aimed to win. He said that he came prepared to every shooting day of “Astig” as if he were directing a music video or a TV commercial.

“Lahat naka-storyboard: bawat kilos, salita at eksena ay inaral ko. May mga notes ako sa script para matandaan ko yung gusto kong mangyari. I didn’t want to leave anything to chance,” he said.

“Competition ang Cinemalaya and when you compete, you aim to win. I won’t be a hypocrite to say we did not set out to do that (to win Best Film), but it doesn’t mean that because we didn’t ay hindi na deserving 'yong nanalo.” 

When asked if he thinks the high-profile positioning of “Astig” may have actually been disadvantageous to its chances of winning Best Film, Sampedro can only shrug his shoulders.

“Like I said, maganda din ang ‘Last Supper No. 3’ at yung ibang mga finalists,” he said.

“Astig” had the most number of stars in the cast (led by Sid Lucero and Dennis Trillo) compared to the other finalists and it was the most promoted Cinemalaya finalist in media by virtue also of the clout of its co-producer, Boy Abunda.

There were also malicious talks surrounding Sampedro’s win as Best Director. Some said that Sampedro had unfair advantage over the others since he had been a director of videos and concerts for stars like Jaya and Sarah Geronimo for six years now.

Sampedro disagrees with the premise.

“Anim na taon na nga ako sa pagdi-direct pero panay concerts at music videos ang ginawa ko. ‘Astig' was my first time to direct a film. Kung tutuusin, yung ibang mga directors sa Cinemalaya ang mas may advantage sa akin kasi madami sa kanila, matagal ng director ng pelikula.

“Ang advantage ko lang ay ang tagal ko na sa pagiging director. Sila, ang advantage nila ay kabisado na nila ang pag gawa ng pelikula.”

As if it is vindication, “Astig” is the only Cinemalaya 2009 finalist that has been invited to compete in the 14th Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF).

“Astig” will be competing in Korea from October 8 to 16 in the festival’s New Currents section.

“Astig” supervising producer Noel Ferrer said that “Team Astig-Philippines!” (as Sampedro puts it) were invited to PIFF by its programmer Kim Ji-Seok who attended the Cinemalaya award ceremonies last July 27 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

How does Sampedro feel about this feat?

“I am honored that we will be representing the Philippines in Pusan. But if you’re asking me if I’m smug about it, I am not. I am just happy that I’m able to do what I love doing.”