For nine years now, The Eddys, formally known as the Entertainment Editors’ Choice, has stood among Philippine cinema’s most meaningful honors, recognizing the artists, craftsmen and creative forces whose work continues to enrich local filmmaking. Organized by the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors or SPEEd, the annual awards ceremony pays tribute to the passion, perseverance and artistry that have long defined the industry.
Tonight, July 5, as The Eddys stages its 2026 edition at the Ceremonial Hall of Newport World Resorts in Pasay City, four distinguished names take center stage as recipients of the 2026 Movie Icon Award: John Arcilla, Edgar “Bobot” Mortiz, Rio Locsin and Janice de Belen.
While their journeys may be different, they all embody the kind of excellence, longevity and reinvention that The Eddys seeks to honor. One brought Filipino acting to the world stage through a history-making international triumph. Another moved from teen idol to one of the country’s most influential television directors and mentors. One transformed herself from a daring leading lady into one of television’s most beloved dramatic actresses, while another grew from child star to one of Philippine entertainment’s most respected performers.
Together, they represent decades of work in front of and behind the camera, with careers that have moved across generations, genres and changing audiences.
“The Eddys has always been about honoring the people whose passion and dedication have helped shape Philippine cinema. This year’s Movie Icon Award recipients have spent decades bringing memorable stories and characters to life,” said The Manila Times Entertainment, Lifestyle and The Sunday Times Magazine editor and SPEEd president Tessa Mauricio-Arriola.
The actor’s actor
Few actors possess the rare ability to command attention the moment they appear on screen. John Arcilla is one of them.
Long before his name became synonymous with some of the most memorable roles in contemporary Philippine cinema, Arcilla had already earned the admiration of theater audiences. A longtime member of Tanghalang Pilipino, he honed his craft on stage, mastering classical productions and developing the discipline that would later distinguish his performances in film and television. Whether playing hero or villain, he has always brought meticulous preparation and emotional honesty to the role.
His breakthrough into popular consciousness came in 2015 with “Heneral Luna,” in which he portrayed the national hero, Gen. Antonio Luna, with extraordinary intensity. Rather than present a distant historical figure, Arcilla transformed Luna into a deeply human patriot whose brilliance was matched only by his uncompromising principles.
The performance resonated far beyond the cinema. Heneral Luna’s now-famous challenge, “Bayan o sarili? Pumili ka!” became one of the defining lines in contemporary Filipino film, quoted in classrooms, public forums and everyday conversations. The movie reignited public interest in Philippine history and firmly established Arcilla as one of the country’s finest actors.
Television audiences, meanwhile, came to know him through unforgettable antagonists. Whether portraying the corrupt Renato Hipolito in “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” or the chilling Carlos Fiero in “Dirty Linen,” Arcilla showed that the best villains are not simply evil but fully human, with believable motivations.
His greatest international milestone arrived in 2021, when he won the prestigious Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice International Film Festival for Erik Matti’s “On the Job: The Missing 8.”
Arcilla became the first Filipino and the first Southeast Asian actor to receive the coveted honor, placing Philippine acting on one of world cinema’s most prestigious stages. Indeed, John Arcilla’s career serves as proof that genuine excellence has no expiration date.
The man behind generations
If Arcilla represents artistic transformation through performance, Edgar “Bobot” Mortiz exemplifies reinvention itself. For younger audiences, he is “Direk Bobot” — the respected television and film director who helped launch the careers of many of today’s biggest stars.
But decades before he became a fixture behind the camera, Mortiz was already one of Philippine entertainment’s brightest young celebrities.As a teenager, he won consecutive championships on the legendary singing contest
“Tawag ng Tanghalan,” showcasing a smooth singing voice that quickly endeared him to audiences nationwide. His debut album, “My Pledge of Love,” became a commercial success and earned him an Awit Award, establishing him as one of the country’s most promising young recording artists.
Cinema soon followed. Throughout the 1970s, Mortiz became one-half of the immensely popular “Vi and Bot” tandem with Vilma Santos. Together, they starred in numerous box-office hits that captured the optimism and romance of an era when Filipino moviegoers eagerly embraced homegrown love teams.
Their chemistry made them one of the most popular screen pairs of their generation and turned Mortiz into one of the country’s most recognizable matinee idols.
Yet unlike many stars whose careers fade after their youthful popularity wanes, Mortiz found a second calling that would ultimately become even more influential.
Stepping behind the camera as a director, he helped shape the evolution of Filipino television comedy through programs such as “Tropang Trumpo.”
He later became widely recognized for his work on “Goin’ Bulilit,” the long-running children’s sketch comedy program that introduced and nurtured a new generation of performers. Many of today’s biggest stars, including Kathryn Bernardo, Julia Montes, Andrea Brillantes and Belle Mariano, passed through the program under Mortiz’s guidance.
After decades in the industry, Mortiz also returned to music, releasing the album “Goin’ Standard,” which featured classic ballads inspired by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. He also staged a major nostalgic solo concert in June, backed by the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra.
The queen of reinvention
Few actresses have embraced change as gracefully as Rio Locsin.
When she first emerged in showbiz in the late 1970s, Locsin possessed all the qualities of a screen siren: striking beauty, undeniable charisma and an unmistakable presence that immediately commanded attention. But while many actresses of the era became known primarily for glamorous roles, Locsin consistently gravitated toward characters with emotional depth and social relevance.
Her breakthrough came with “Disgrasyada” in 1978, a box-office success that catapulted her to stardom. Rather than remain confined to commercial fare, she soon found herself working with some of the country’s most celebrated filmmakers, including National Artists Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal, during what many regard as the golden age of Philippine cinema.
In Brocka’s “Ina, Kapatid, Anak” and “Init,” and Bernal’s acclaimed “Manila by Night,” Locsin demonstrated that beauty and serious acting could coexist. Her performances revealed an artist unafraid to portray women caught in difficult circumstances, lending authenticity to stories that examined the realities of Filipino society. Her role in “Manila by Night” earned her a Gawad Urian Best Actress nomination.
As the decades passed, Locsin evolved.
To younger audiences, she became the compassionate mother, the resilient grandmother or the formidable matriarch whose strength anchored countless family dramas.
Whether portraying the intimidating Katrina in “Marinella,” the beloved Edad in the 2006 remake of “Gulong ng Palad,” or more recent roles in action dramas such as “Black Rider,” she has consistently brought warmth, dignity and emotional honesty to every performance.
Throughout her career, Locsin has earned nominations from the country’s leading award-giving bodies and won Best Supporting Actress at the Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival in 2009 for “Si Baning, si Maymay at Ang Asong si Bobo.”
In 2012, she was inducted into the Eastwood City Walk of Fame, earning her place among the industry’s most respected artists.
More importantly, Rio Locsin has remained relevant without ever abandoning the discipline that first earned her respect.
The actress who grew up with her audience For millions of Filipinos, Janice de Belen has always seemed like family.
They watched her grow up before their eyes — first as a child performer, then as one of the country’s brightest young stars, before eventually becoming one of Philippine entertainment’s most accomplished actresses and television personalities.
De Belen became a household name in 1979 when she starred in the hit television drama “Flordeluna.” As the tearful but resilient Flor, she captivated audiences night after night, establishing herself as one of the defining child stars of her generation.
Alongside the late Julie Vega, whose “Anna Liza” similarly captivated viewers, De Belen helped shape the golden era of Filipino television melodrama.
Her remarkable ability to portray emotional vulnerability earned her a place among Regal Entertainment’s famed “Regal Cry Babies,” a group of young actresses celebrated for their powerful dramatic performances.
As she matured, so did her choice of roles. She expanded beyond traditional family dramas and established herself as one of Philippine cinema’s most dependable dramatic actresses, equally comfortable portraying grief-stricken mothers, morally conflicted women and psychologically complex characters.
At the same time, through memorable performances in the “Shake, Rattle & Roll” franchise, “The Healing,” “Pridyider,” and “Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles,” she became closely associated with horror dramas that demanded not only fear but emotional credibility.
In 2021, she won the Famas Best Supporting Actress award for “Big Night!” That same year, she received international recognition by winning Best Actress at the International Film Festival Manhattan.
De Belen also became a familiar morning companion to Filipino households as co-host of the popular talk show “SiS,” later bringing the same warmth and candor to programs such as “Spoon” and “Showbiz Inside Report.”
Through it all, Janice de Belen has remained relevant by continually embracing new challenges, new formats and new generations of viewers.
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The 9th Entertainment Editors’ Choice unfolds tonight at the Ceremonial Hall of the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City.
Hosted by Pops Fernandez and Kim Atienza, it will be aired on the Entertainment Editors’ Choice official Facebook page and YouTube channel, with simultaneous broadcast on The ManilaTimes website.
The Eddys is presented by Newport World Resorts, PlayTime Entertainment and Echo Jham Productions, with Gold Sponsors Globe Telecom and Unilab Inc.; Silver Sponsors SoundCheck Inc. and Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival; and Major Sponsors Luxent Hotel, Lino Cayetano, RS Francisco, Beautéderm Corporation, Isha Ponti, and PlayaLolita Beach Resort Hotel and Restaurant.