Signal Rock

Signal Rock is a 2018 Filipino independent drama film produced and directed by Chito S. Roño, starring Christian Bables together with an ensemble cast. The film was produced by CSR Productions and distributed by Regal Entertainment on August 15, 2018 which serves as the official entry to the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino.^[2] It was selected as the Philippine entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 91st Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.^[3]

Signal Rock
Official movie poster
Directed by	Chito S. Roño
Written by	Rody Vera
Produced by	Chito S. Roño
Starring	Christian Bables Daria Ramirez Nanding Josef Mon Confiado Elora Españo Keanna Reeves Francis Magundayao Archie Adamos Sue Prado Jomari Umpa Ces Quesada Kokoy de Santos
Cinematography	Neil Daza
Edited by	Carlo Francisco Manatad
Music by	Erwin Fajardo
Production company	CSR Productions
Distributed by	Regal Films
Release date	August 15, 2018 (2018-08-15)
Running time	130 minutes[1]
Country	Philippines
Language	Filipino

Based on a true story and set in 1990s, the film follows Intoy (Bables), as he takes care of his family in Biri, Samar while his sister is overseas and is only able to contact her while atop the strange rock formations on the edge of the island.

Premise

The story follows Intoy (Bables) who lives with his family in Biri, Northern Samar while his sister Vicky works in Finland. Vicky marries a foreigner believing that it will solve their financial problems. In order to contact his sister, Intoy must scramble about the strange rock formations in the island to attain signal, as is it the only location where he can do so. Intoy experiences conflict due to his love for a woman who will soon leave for Manila, his duty in the island, and his ambitions, which include leaving the island for work. Traditionally, women leave the island, while the men stay.^[4]

Cast

• Christian Bables^[5] as Intoy Abakan
• Daria Ramirez^[5] as Alicia Abakan
• Nanding Josef^[5] as Jamin Abakan
• Mon Confiado^[5] as Damian
• Elora Españo^[5] as Rachel
• Keanna Reeves^[5] as Gloria
• Francis Magundayao^[5] as Bong
• Archie Adamos^[5] as Mario
• Sue Prado^[5] as Loida
• Jomari Umpa^[5] as Kiko
• Ces Quesada^[5] as Chona
• Kokoy De Santos^[5] as Gabs
• Judy Ann Santos^{[6][non-primary source needed]} as Vicky Abakan
• Mara Lopez as Gina
• Ruby Ruiz^[5] as Mila
• Dido dela Paz^[5]
• Arnold Reyes^[5] as Joaquin
• Menggie Cobarrubias^[5] as Mayor
• Joel Saracho^[5]
• JayR Versales^[5]
• Lee O'Brian^[5] as Finnish Consul

Awards and nominations

Year	Award-giving body	Recipient(s)	Award	Result
2018	2nd Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino[7]	Signal Rock	Critics' Choice	Won
		Signal Rock	Special Jury Prize	Won
		Christian Bables	Best Performance by an Actor	Won
	5th Hanoi International Film Festival[8][9]	Signal Rock	Best Main Actor	Won
2019	17th Dhaka International Film Festival[10]	Rody Vera	Best Script	Won
	ASEAN International Film Festival & Awards[11][12]	Signal Rock	Best Film	Won
		Chito S. Roño	Best Director	Nominated
		Elora Españo	Best Actress	Nominated
		Rody Vera	Best Screenplay	Nominated
	3rd GEMS Hiyas ng Sining Awards[13][non-primary source needed]	Signal Rock	Best Independent Film	Nominated
		Chito S. Roño	Best Director (Independent Film)	Nominated
		Christian Bables	Best Actor	Nominated
		Daria Ramirez	Best Supporting Actress	Nominated
		Arnold Reyes	Best Supporting Actor	Nominated
	67th FAMAS Awards[14]	Signal Rock	Best Picture	Nominated
		Christian Bables	Best Actor	Nominated
		Daria Ramirez	Best Supporting Actress	Nominated
		Nanding Josef	Best Supporting Actor	Nominated
		Rody Vera	Best Original Screenplay	Nominated
	41st Gawad Urian Awards[15]	Signal Rock	Best Picture	Nominated
		Chito S. Roño	Best Director	Nominated
		Christian Bables	Best Actor	Nominated
		Daria Ramirez	Best Supporting Actress	Nominated
		Rody Vera	Best Screenplay	Won
		Neil Daza	Best Cinematography	Nominated
		Mark Sabas	Best Production Design	Nominated
		Carlo Francisco Manatad	Best Editing	Nominated
		Albert Michael Idioma	Best Sound	Nominated
	35th PMPC Star Award for Movies[16]	Signal Rock	Movie of the Year	Nominated
		Chito S. Roño	Movie Director of the Year	Nominated
		Daria Ramirez	Movie Supporting Actress of the Year	Nominated
		Rody Vera	Movie Screenwriter of the Year	Nominated
		Neil Daza	Movie Cinematographer of the Year	Nominated
		Mark Sabas	Movie Production Designer of the Year	Nominated
		Carlo Francisco Manatad	Movie Editor of the Year	Nominated
		Albert Michael Idioma	Movie Sound Engineer of the Year	Nominated
		Signal Rock	Movie Ensemble Acting of the Year	Nominated
	3rd EDDYS (Entertainment Editors’ Choice)[17]	Signal Rock	Best Picture	Nominated
		Chito S. Roño	Best Director	Nominated
		Christian Bables	Best Actor	Nominated
		Daria Ramirez	Best Supporting Actress	Nominated
		Rody Vera	Best Screenplay	Nominated
		Neil Daza	Best Cinematography	Nominated
		Jaypee Estigoy	Best Visual Effects	Nominated
		Mark Sabas	Best Production Design	Nominated
		Carlo Francisco Manatad	Best Editing	Nominated
		Albert Michael Idioma	Best Sound	Nominated
	6th UFF Urduja Film Heritage Awards[18]	Signal Rock	Jury Award (Movie of the Year: Drama)	Won
		Christian Bables	Best Actor	Won
		Neil Daza	Best Cinematography	Won
	37th FAP Luna Awards[19]	Signal Rock	Best Picture	Nominated
		Chito S. Roño	Best Director	Won
		Christian Bables	Best Actor	Nominated
		Mon Confiado	Best Supporting Actor	Nominated
		Daria Ramirez	Best Supporting Actress	Won
		Rody Vera	Best Screenplay	Nominated
		Neil Daza	Best Cinematography	Nominated
		Mark Sabas	Best Production Design	Nominated
		Albert Michael Idioma	Best Sound	Nominated

Ratings

According to the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), due to several foul language, mature theme, and some sex scenes, only audiences eighteen (18) years old and above can view this well crafted film (Director's Cut). The MTRCB classified the film as rated R-18.^[20]

See also

• List of submissions to the 91st Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film
• List of Philippine submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film