‘Signal Rock’ is PHL's official entry to 2019 Oscars

Is Intoy the lucky caller from the Philippines?

Film producer Ferdy Lapuz on Wednesday announced that Chito S. Roño's entry to Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, "Signal Rock", has been selected as the country's official entry for the Foreign Language Film category of the 91st Academy Awards.

"After winning the Critic's Choice and Special Jury Awards in the recent Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino and 4 international film festival invitations, Chito S. Rono’s SIGNAL ROCK is the Philippines’ entry for Oscar Awards’ BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM. Congratulations Team Signal Rock!" Lapuz announced on Facebook.

"Signal Rock" is set in 1990 and follows the story of Intoy, played by award-winning actor Christian Bables. Intoy is one of the residents of Biri, Samar, where people must climb a high rock in order to get a phone signal.

Bables took to Facebook to celebrate the film's latest triumph.

"My heart is overjoyed. Signal Rock goes to THE OSCARS! Direk Chito, Tatay Nanding Josef, tatay Rodolfo Vera and nanay Daria Ramirez, si INTOY makaka abot ng Oscars!" Bables wrote.

"Birdshot" (2017), "Ma'Rosa" (2016), "Heneral Luna" (2015), "Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan" (2014). and "Transit" (2013) were previously selected to be sent for Oscars consideration. 

A Philippine entry has yet to make the final cut of nominees in the Foreign Language Film category of the Academy Awards. — Aya Tantiangco/LA, GMA News