MANILA, Philippines?Cannes-winning Filipino filmmaker Brillante Mendoza has made the journey from the Palais in Cannes, France to Malacañang Palace.

On Wednesday afternoon, Mendoza, who won Best Director at the prestigious Cannes film fest for ?Kinatay? last month, had an audience with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Malacañang. Mendoza was earlier accorded a string of honors by the University of Santo Tomas and the municipal governments of San Fernando, Pampanga; Mandaluyong City; and Quezon City.

Mendoza told Inquirer Entertainment that the meeting with the President, a province-mate (Pampanga), was cordial.

Fourth visit

It was Mendoza?s fourth invitation to Malacañang. First time was after he won the top digital prize at the Locarno film fest in Italy for ?Masahista? four years ago. Then, after Cinemanila 2006, where his film ?Manoro? won. Last year, he also met with President Arroyo after competing in Cannes with ?Serbis.?

He recalled, ?On our previous encounters, I was always with other people. [ON Wednesday] for the first time, we had time to talk one on one. Our meeting, held in the Music Room, lasted 15 minutes.?

Mendoza said the President talked to him in Kapampangan. ?She asked what part of the province I was from.?

He said the President was fully aware of the developments in Cannes.

?She told me to keep up the good work, that I did the country proud. She also asked about my plans... after Cannes, would the Oscars be next? She asked if I wanted to work in Hollywood. I said it would depend on the material I was working on.?

He reminded the President that he brought the Aetas of ?Manoro? with him to the Palace three years ago. ?She remembered.?

At the end of their meeting, the President presented Mendoza with a P1 million ?prize.?

Surprised

The filmmaker was surprised. He joked that the cash would be useful in paying loans he incurred while making ?Kinatay.?

He also said he hopes to screen ?Kinatay? locally, then start work on his next film.

He reported that at least three mall-based cinemas have expressed interest in holding invitational screenings.

GMA 7 has also requested a special screening in the network?s headquarters. Its sister channel QTV will mount a victory party for him on Tuesday. The City of Manila plans to honor Mendoza, too.

After the accolades, he said, ?I just wish students would get to watch the movie.?

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