Award-Winning Yul

It's been a year since Yul Servo made a television comeback through “Joaquin Bordado.” Now that his second Kapuso soap, “LaLola” has ended, nakipag-heart-to-heart chat ang iGMA with Yul tungkol sa kanyang mga awards at sa kanyang career. Text by Jason John S. Lim. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. Freelancer si Yul Servo, that much is known. Alam rin ng mga tao na he is a staple of the independent scene, as well as the go-to choice when it comes to international film festival entries. Pero maraming di nakakaalam that he has won seven awards already.
"Nung una nga akong manalo doon, ang sabi ko lang, ‘Thank you,’" kwento ni Yul sa amin. That was back in the year 2000, nang manalo ang first film niya sa Cinemanila. "Nung pangalawang panalo ko, 'Thank you, thank you.’" Now that he has won seven, siguro naman may naka-set na siyang sasabihin sa acceptance speech niya? "Sasabihin ko lang talaga, ‘Thank you' [at] saka 'Mabuhay ang Pilipinas.’" Yul says proudly. So tinanong namin if he said that when he accepted his award for Torotot, late last year. Natatawang sagot niya, "Hindi ko rin nasabi eh." Yul says that whenever he would win an award sa isang international film fest, hindi naman daw niya nakukuha ang trophy sa kung bansa man ginanap ang festival. "Pag umuuwi ako ng Pilipinas, doon na nila ina-award sa akin, sa bahay ng ambassador nila dito." But for his latest award, they asked permission kung pwede sa Bulwagan, sa Manila City Hall. And, sabi ni Yul, pumayag si Mayor Alfredo Lim. That was last January 14. So ano naman ang feeling na laging nanalo ng awards from international award-giving bodies? "Siyempre, masaya," Yul answers with a smile. "Kakaiba kasi -- iba 'yung feeling…Hindi lang naman ako 'yung Filipino talent na na-recognize doon, [na-recognize din] sina Dolphy, si Nora Aunor, si Sharon Cuneta…At nung unang award ko doon, dalawa kami ni Joel Torre for Batang West Side, nung 2001. Tapos 'yung pangalawa ko, Naglalayag, 'yung kay Nora Aunor. 2004. Tapos ngayon." Yul's recent victory was at the Brussels International Independent Film Festival. "Okay 'yung experience doon. Bilib sila sa mga Pilipino." He adds that Brussels really like Filipino movies, even though marami-ramidraw doon ang mas kilala ang Manila kesa sa Philippines mismo. "Pero nakakatuwa din na pag sinabi mong Filipino ka na actor, bilib sila." At mukha ngang bilib talaga sila dahil nakakatatlong award na si Yul. "Akala ko wala na [akong chance]…pero nagulat ako nung ako 'yung tinawag." And the same thing happened for his third time, during last year’s festival. "Pinanood ko lahat ng pelikula, ang gagaling ng mga artista!" Short-listed with him were an Egyptian actor and Hollywood's Nick Nolte. "Maraming nominees, pero kami 'yung [shortlisted]…Umupo ako doon sa dulo. Hindi ako mapakali, ang lamig-lamig, pinagpapawisan ako. Tapos, ganoon pa rin, hindi nagbabago 'yung pakiramdam ko, maski nanalo ako." All his success, he attributes sa magandang pagpapatakbo ng manager niya sa career niya. Who is his manager? No other than Direk Maryo J. delos Reyes! "Siya 'yung manager ko, siya 'yung nag-discover sa akin, inaalagaan niya ang career ko." Yul shares that Direk Maryo makes sure na hindi basta-basta ang kinukuhang project ni Yul. "Hindi naman ako nagkamali ng pagsunod kay Direk. Ayos naman ang naging takbo ng career ko. Si Direk Maryo, he always guides me, na tamang path 'yung dinadaanan." With the awards and accolades na nakukuha niya, mukha namang naging tama ang naging path ni Yul. Would you agree? Sound off sa comment box below!