NO ONE was more surprised than Rome himself.

Romalito ?Rome? Mallari, the Deaf actor in the Cinemalaya entry ?Dinig Sana Kita,? scored an ?unexpected victory? at the Star Awards, handed out by the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC).

Mallari won Best New Movie Actor, beating ABS-CBN?s current fair-haired boy Enchong Dee (who was nominated for ?Paano Ko Sasabihin??).

?Dinig? director Mike Sandejas commended the PMPC for choosing ?a Deaf boy with no real future prospects in the industry over an upcoming popular actor ? They simply believed that he deserved it. It was a leap of faith.?

?Shocking? triumph

In an e-mail interview, Mallari told Inquirer Entertainment that he found his triumph ?shocking.?

He admitted that he felt ?nervous? accepting the trophy onstage.

?My first reaction was: ?Whoa! I can?t believe it. It?s awesome. Thank God!? My mind was flying.?

He considers the award ?a dream come true ? ever since I was young, I?ve always wanted to be an actor.?

He hopes the award would lead to new projects, but he also regards it as an inspiration to do better.

?My wish is to be a good example for the Deaf community,? he said. ?It makes me want to work harder. It proves that there is hope in spite of life?s hardships.?

He related that he plans to keep the trophy in ?my room in the dormitory.?

He had to put his thesis on hold to attend the Star Awards, he said, but he?s now finishing it.

Mallari is taking up Bachelor of Arts in Applied Deaf Studies, specializing in Multi-Media Arts in De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies.

He is now busy reediting his thesis ? a music video that helps Deaf people appreciate popular music.

He plans to volunteer in Deaf community programs like workshops and work full-time after his graduation in October, he said.

Honored, too

He shares the honor with his director Sandejas and the rest of the ?Dinig? team ? which also won the Sound Engineering (Ronald de Asis and Mark Locsin), Musical Score (Francis ?Brew? Reyes) and Original Theme Song (?Sana Ako ay Marinig? by Reyes and Niña Sandejas) trophies in the Digital section of the Star Awards.

Said Sandejas of Mallari?s victory: ?Not only can Deaf people dream to be actors, they can dream about becoming award-winning actors, too. I told Rome that he has to grow up a bit more because he?s now carrying the flag for the Deaf everywhere.?

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