THE country's entry to the Oscars? Best Foreign Language Film category, ?Ded na si Lolo,? has found a second wind, thanks to the dogged determination of its cast and crew.

From Los Angeles, director Soxie Topacio sent an e-mail to lead actor Roderick Paulate about the film?s screenings at the Royal and Kodak Theaters in Hollywood.

?Soxie was very happy,? Roderick told Inquirer. ?The audience laughed at all the jokes, and both Filipino and American viewers congratulated him.?

No one dreamed this ?labor of love? could get this far. ?I love everyone involved in this movie
?the stars, the director and the producer (Tony Tuviera of APT),? said Roderick.

Veteran actress Perla Bautista is proud to have been part of the project. ?We didn?t mind the small budget,? she said. ?We were always happy?and eating?on the set.?

?Every day was like a fiesta,? said co-star Richard Quan, ?or a family reunion.?

?Though it is considered a low-budget film,? Roderick said, ?the time, talent and effort that we all poured into it ? were for a big-budget film.?

?Ded na si Lolo? is getting as much support from cast and crew in its campaign for an Oscar nod.

?The government can?t give us money,? said lead actress Gina Alajar, ?so we have to work doubly hard.?

After a recent screening at the Philippine Educational Theater Association, Gina recounted, ?We asked the audience to spread the word via their blogs and Facebook accounts.?

On its original run last May, Roderick and company likewise promoted the film online. ?To our surprise,? he said, ?it made over P10 million. The managers of SM Cinemas congratulated us. A lot of people identified with the story. Foreigners will get a glimpse of Filipino culture and family values as well, through the film.?

The film was re-released in local theaters on Wednesday, and will soon hold additional screenings in the United States.