13/09/2026
InterFrame | ๐๐ฒ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฐ๐๐ผ๐ฟโ๐ ๐ฅ๐ผ๐น๐ฒ
From the halls of Leyte Normal University to the world of film and culture, alumnus Amado Arjay Babon, a Batch 2015 graduate of Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Social Studies and a former Interact Society President, continues to explore new heights beyond the professional degree as he makes his mark as an artist and cultural worker.
His journey takes another step forward as he earns a nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Enrique de Malacca in the film "Magellan" at the 49th Gawad Urian Awards of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino. Hearing the good news from his loved ones and support system made the moment even more special for him, as he eagerly wanted to share the victory to his community.
โWhen Ate Hazel Orencio informed me about the news, I felt excited because I thought that I had good news to share with my parents, friends, colleagues, and my community in Eastern Visayas,โ Babon shared.
The recognition is still sinking in for Babon, who admitted that being nominated by such a prestigious award-giving body means a great deal to him, especially since the organization is composed of scholars, academicians, writers, and cultural critics. He also shared how being validated as an artist means so much to him as an actor and gives deeper meaning to his craft.
โBeing nominated in this prestigious award-giving body is a great validation of my work, not just as an indie and regional actor, but also as a cultural worker,โ he expressed. But like many artists in the film industry who are familiar with its challenges, Babon admitted that the most challenging part of portraying Enrique de Malacca was learning and speaking the characterโs language while ensuring that the portrayal remained grounded in historical facts.
โThe most challenging part of doing the role is learning and speaking Portuguese while preserving the truth of Enrique de Malaccaโour Malay ancestor. I didnโt want to bastardize his memory. I wanted to build his character as a dignified human being, beyond the context of slavery,โ he mentioned.
Despite reaching new heights in his journey as an artist, Babon has not forgotten the people who helped shape the artist and cultural worker he has become. He looked back with gratitude to his mentors from the LNU Social Science Department, who not only nurtured his skills in literature and theater but also deepened his understanding of the connection between art and society.
"My literary mentor who taught me poetry and to write in Waray was Sir Voltaire Oyzon. Meanwhile, my theater mentor was the late Sir Joey Lianza. They shaped my consciousness as an artist and a cultural worker. I learned from them that art and society are interconnected. Thus, art can influence or change people's minds for better or worse," he shared.
Beyond the glamour, recognition, and validation that may come with pursuing art, Babon believes that artists must recognize the greater responsibility that comes with their craft. For him, art should not merely exist to entertain or bring prestige, but should also serve as a platform to tell stories.
"Don't be blind to the glamour and sophistication that you see in the art world. Art is not out of reach. It is within you. Don't wait for permission and validation. Once you feel it, do it. But please be responsible. There are people who are being bombed in Gaza, children are killed and orphaned. Farmers and our Aeta brothers and sisters are being forced to leave their ancestral land for a massive AI data center," Babon expressed.
As Babon continues his journey as an artist, his words serve as a reminder that art carries a purpose greater than applause, recognition, and awards.
"Right now, our world doesn't need stars, she needs brave truth tellers and educators. Art is not just beautiful, it is honest, altruistic, just, and humane. Don't wait for oppression to knock on your door before you act for justice," he shared.
Layout by Nicole Portugaliza | InterSoc Creatives
