Shamaine, Eugene make our country proud

Two incredible actresses have made our country proud.

Shamaine Buencamino, who dazzled everyone with her gripping performance in the independent film "Niño," bagged the best supporting actress plum in this year's Asian Film Awards, considered the most prestigious in the region. It was held in Hong Kong on Monday, March 19.

This is the biggest highlight in Shamaine's acting career, which spans a wide array of film and TV appearances since appearing in a host of commercials as the quintessential mom. But Shamaine, wife of actor Nonie Buencamino, is far better known as a multi-awarded theater actress, who began impressing audiences in stage plays at UP Diliman, where she majored in Theater Arts.

Now with this stellar recognition, Shamaine will again blaze the trail in the acting craft and would have the best opportunity ever to annex her claim to be one of the country's best.

The night also belonged to a comedienne whose meteoric rise is not attributed to mere popularity or with the backing of a major network or studio. This woman exudes sheer talent—a rarity in an industry where only the loudest babble could get you a primetime show.

Eugene Domingo is definitely on a roll. With the film "Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank," Eugene transformed from her zany portrayals in both film and TV into that actress everyone had been raving about since her Theater Arts school days in UP Diliman. And, her recognition as the Asian Film Awards People's Choice for Best Actress (determined by online voting) shows how Eugene really connects to the audience, apart from her versatility.

Eugene also holds the distinction of starring in the most movies for the most film studios in a single year. She is also one of the few talents who have landed the biggest projects in all major TV networks in the Philippines.

Has Eugene reached the apex of her career with this award? Definitely not. In fact, she only just began with this milestone and her other best actress victories in Cinemalaya and the Star Awards the past years and surely, we can expect an exciting future of more acting accomplishments, box office success and top rating TV shows ahead.

Editor's note: The blogger's views do not represent Yahoo! Southeast Asia's position on the topic or issue being discussed in this blog.