Cebuana nominated for Best Actress at 4th Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino

CEBU, Philippines —  Nats Sitoy bagged a Best Actress nomination from  the 4th Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) for her performance in “Come On, Irene”, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) announced Monday.

The Cebuana actress’ co-stars in the Japanese production also earned nominations: Hana Kino, also for the Best Actress category, and Ken Yasuda for Best Actor.

Aside from Kino, Nats is also up against Best Actress nominees Sarah Chang (“Blood Hunters: Rise of the Hybrids”) and Hiro Nishiuchi (“Kintsugi”).

PPP will stream its awards ceremony at 8 pm this Saturday, Dec. 12, at FDCP’s YouTube channel.

Based on a best-selling 1995 manga series, “Come On, Irene” is about a middle aged man who pays three million yen for a bridal tour to the Philippines after a squabble with his parents. He picks Irene, a girl born in a poor fishing village. Upon arrival in Japan, Irene is confronted by her husband’s mourning family and infuriated mother.

Also starring Cebuana actress Dionne Monsanto, “Come On, Irene” premiered at the 2018 Busan International Film Festival.

Natileigh “Nats” Marie Therese Sitoy, a Digital Filmmaking graduate of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, is the daughter of the late Board Member Arleigh Sitoy of Cordova, Cebu.

She previously won Best Supporting Actress at the 2016 Cinema One Originals for her role in “Lily,” a film by Cebuano director Keith Deligero.

Her other acting credits include film roles in “Bagahe,” “Pinay Beauty,” “Soap Opera,” “Swap,” “Asuang,” “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2” and “Belle Douleur.” On television, she appeared on GMA Network’s “I Heart Davao” and ABS-CBN’s “Sandugo.” She is also featured in Brillante Mendoza’s 2018 series “Amo,” which can be streamed on Netflix.

Nats was just seen in the recent MMK episode that starred 2020 Asian Academy Creative Awards Best Actor winner Arjo Atayde.