Wikipedia

Joey Paras

Joseph Estrada Paras (February 7, 1978 – October 29, 2023), also known as Joey Paras, was a Filipino actor,[1][2] filmmaker,[2] singer,[2][3] screenwriter,[1] playwright,[1] and television host.[3]

Joey Paras
Born
Joseph Estrada Paras[1]

(1978-02-07)February 7, 1978
Manila, Philippines
DiedOctober 29, 2023(2023-10-29) (aged 45)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • Theater Director
  • Filmmaker
  • Singer
  • Writer
  • Playwright
  • Film Producer
  • TV Host
Years active2006–2023
Known forSunday PINASaya

Bekikang: Ang Nanay Kong Beki, IGIB, Ang Kaibigan Ni Imaginary F.

Paras was a multi-awarded stage and film actor;[1][4][5][6] as well as a television actor[1][4][6] and host.[4] Being part of the theater guild Tanghalang Pilipino, he appeared in a Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah musical.[4]

In the entertainment industry,[4] he became known in Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival entries, indie films Last Supper No. 3 (2009) and Babagwa (The Spider's Lair; 2013).[5] His supporting roles in the latter, as well as in Dance of the Steelbars, led to recognitions from some award giving bodies.[7] He played the lead role in his launching film, Bekikang: Ang Nanay Kong Beki, in 2013.[1][6]

Paras was also a playwright[1] and theater director;[7] as well as a screenwriter[1] and film director,[4][6] whose works were mostly featured in local and international film festivals, notably the internationally-awarded Ang Kaibigan ni Imaginary F[6] and short film Igib in 2020, where he won his first best director award at the annual FilMay International Short Film Festival in North Macedonia.[8]

He was the playwright behind "Bawal Tumawid, Nakakamatay", one of the plays selected to be produced on stage in the seventh edition of Virgin Labfest (VLF). His rise to fame started in the movie scene when he played the lead role in the film Last Supper Number 3 which received the MTRCB Awards Best Comedy Film for 2010 and Cinemalaya 2009 Best Film.[9]

Early and personal life

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Paras finished Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts at the University of Santo Tomas in 1998.[1][10][11]

Paras was involved in arts since age 12, when he began writing stage plays and scripts, particularly for school plays.[12] As he later revealed in an interview, at that age, he once auditioned to be part of the group Smokey Mountain.[13]

Paras later admitted he knew being gay as early as age 4.[10]

Before becoming an actor, he used to be an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) as a HOTEL LOUNGE SINGER in a lounge group named CICADA where they used to perform in Grand Hyatt Seoul, South Korea and Grand Hyatt Beijing, China. He worked abroad for several years until they disbanded.[14]

Career

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Music career

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Paras was the vocalist of the band, The Groove. Later, he had his own, Dash, which performed even abroad.[10]

Theatrical career

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Paras had his theater career since his college years; at age 17, he was accepted for a theater course in Tanghalang Pilipino (TP),[10] the theater guild of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.[2] At that time as well, Paras worked as an acting coach and a workshop facilitator for children in TP and the El Niño de Salambao Academy.[12]

Prior to entering the film industry, Paras began his acting career as a stage actor from TP.[2][5] He later joined numerous productions,[10] eventually being noted with his performance in the 2006 rerun of the musical version of a comic character entitled Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzikal.[2][4][10][11]

In the Aliw Awards of 2008, he was named Best Stage Actor in a Straight Play[5] for Ang Bayot, Ang Meranao at ang Habal-Habal sa isang Nakakabagot na Paghihintay sa Kanto ng Lanao del Norte, a Virgin Labfest play. He wrote another play, Bawal Tumawid, Nakakamatay.[2]

He was also a playwright;[1][12] and directed more than thirty theater plays.[7]

Film career

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Paras also played roles in several films.[1][2][5] He rose to fame in the indie films after being discovered in Zsazsa Zaturnnah by independent filmmaker Veronica Velasco, who then cast him in the 2009 drama comedy Last Supper No. 3,[10][11][4][5] which won best film at that year's Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival[2][4] and best comedy film at the 1st MTRCB Awards the following year,[15] with the role earning him a number of Best Actor nominations in 2010.[1][5] He also played the supporting role in the 2013 film Babagwa (Spider's Web or The Spider's Lair),[11][16][5] where he won the Best Supporting Actor awards from the Cinemalaya[10][11][16][5][7] and Gawad Tanglaw.[7] For prison movie Dance of the Steel Bars, he won Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role from (Enpress) Golden Screen Awards.[7]

Entering mainstream films, in 2013, he played the lead role in his launching film, Bekikang: Ang Nanay Kong Beki, directed by his mentor, Wenn Deramas.[16][5][6]

After doing so in theater plays,[7] he also wrote and directed films and had joined local film festivals;[12][1] he reportedly created about three full length films and almost thirty short films.[6] His works include:

  • Hantu, an indie horror film, in 2012.[1][4]
  • Wala na Bang Ibang Title?, a full length[6] indie socio-political film which he first wrote and directed,[7] and was a 2014 Quezon City International Pink (Film) Festival entry.[7][6] For the film, his mentors, fellow directors Deramas and Soxie Topacio, played the lead roles.[7]
  • Ang Kaibigan ni Imaginary F., in 2020,[12] was the first to join five international film festivals, claiming awards, prior to being an entry for Sinag Maynila film festival.[6]
  • Igib, in 2020, was also eventually featured in various film festivals. It was featured in India and in North Macedonia, where Paras won his first best director award in the FilMay International Short Film Festival.[12]

Television career

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Paras had been in the entertainment industry; at age 12, Paras first appeared on television through GMA-7 Bulilit Show and an episode of Dear Teacher on IBC-13.[7]

He was later featured in several television series in major networks,[1][2] first in Maging Sino Ka Man (ABS-CBN) and then, Ikaw Sana (GMA Network),[4] as well as in TV5.[5] He was the co-host of GMA weekly show Sunday PinaSaya.[4]

As an advocate

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An advocate for local theater and film actors, Paras founded the Teatro Expedicion de Filipinas,[17] an organization supporting new young actors from underprivileged areas,[17] providing free acting workshops,[10] and staging original theater works;[2] as well as the Powerhouse Ensemble which offers free production training.[17]

Later life and death

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In 2016, Paras revealed in an interview having a heart condition,[18] which he said in another interview in 2020 his main reason to temporarily leave the entertainment industry.[1] He underwent his first angioplasty operation by then.[1]

He then underwent heart surgery in 2018. In 2020, he was confined in St. Luke's Medical Center in Quezon City after being diagnosed with COVID-19; he had another angioplasty operation later.[2][3][19]

Paras died on October 29, 2023, at the age of 45.[17][3][20]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Film Production
2009 Last Supper No. 3 Wilson Nañawa Cinemalaya Foundation, Beinte Singko Mil Productions
2010 Working Girls Connie's Production Staff Viva Films, GMA Films, Unitel Pictures
I Do Clerk Star Cinema
White House Jerry Regal Films
2011 Bahay Bata Don Cinemalaya Foundation, Found Films
2012 Bwakaw Tracy Cinemalaya, Octobertrain Films, APT Entertainment
Sisterakas Bonbon Viva Films, Star Cinema
2013 Bromance: My Brother's Romance Beergin Skylight Films, Star Cinema
Dance of the Steel Bars Allona GMA Films, Portfolio Productions
The Spider's Lair Marney Cinemalaya Foundation, Quantum Films, Kalalangan Kamaru
Momzillas Tito Star Cinema, Viva Films
Bekikang: Ang Nanay Kong Beki Bekikang Viva Films
2014 Maria Leonora Teresa Augusto Star Cinema, Maxam
Moron 5.2: The Transformation Cong. King Viva Films
Wala Na Bang Ibang Title? Teatro Republica de Filipinas, Threehouse Productions
2015 Wang Fam Cocoy Viva Films
2016 Lumayo Ka Nga sa Akin Aling Minda Viva Films
Working Beks Mandy Viva Films
2019 Born Beautiful Pastor Donald Cignal Entertainment, Octobertrain Films, The IdeaFirst Company, Axinite Digicinema
And Ai, Thank You Jefferson Reality Entertainment, Horseshoe Studios
2021 Ayuda Babes Mama Rita Viva Films
2024 My Sassy Girl Viva Films

Television

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Theater

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  • Zsazsa Zaturnah Ze Muzikal
  • Ang Ulo ni Pancho Villa
  • ILUSTRADO: Ang Buhay ni Rizal
  • Noli Me Tangere
  • El Filibusterismo
  • Ulilang Tahanan
  • Prinsipe ng Buwan
  • Ang Bayot, Ang Meranao at ang Habal-Habal sa isang Nakakabagot na Paghihintay sa Kanto ng Lanao del Norte
  • Electle Dysfunction
  • Ang Saranggola ni Pepe
  • The Little Prince
  • Virgin Labfest
    • Bawal Tumawid, Nakamamatay

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2008 21st Aliw Awards Best Stage Actor (Non-Musical) Ang Bayot, Ang Meranao at ang Habal-Habal sa isang Nakakabagot na Paghihintay sa Kanto ng Lanao del Norte (play) Won [2][21]
2009 2008 Philstage Gawad Buhay! Awards for the Performing Arts Outstanding Male Lead Performance in a Play Nominated [22]
2010 33rd Gawad Urian Awards Pinakamahusay na Aktor (Best Actor) Last Supper No. 3 (film) Nominated [1][23][24]
7th Golden Screen Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Musical or Comedy) Nominated [11][23][25]
26th PMPC Star Awards for Movies New Movie Actor of the Year Nominated [1][23][26]
2013 10th Golden Screen Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Drama, Musical or Comedy) Bwakaw (film) Nominated [27]
9th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival Best Supporting Actor (New Breed Category)
Balanghai Trophy		 Babagwa (film) Won [11][28]
24th Young Critics Circle Award Best Performance Nominated [29]
2014 12th Gawad Tanglaw Awards Best Supporting Actor Won [30]
30th PMPC Star Awards for Movies Movie Supporting Actor of the Year Nominated [31]
11th Golden Screen Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Drama, Musical or Comedy) Dance of the Steelbars (film) Won [32]
2020 2020 FilMay International Short Film Festival
(Kumanovo, North Macedonia)		 Best Director Igib (film) Won [33]
2023 37th PMPC Star Awards for Movies Short Movie Director of the Year Nominated [34]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Bueno, Leah (October 29, 2023). "Actor Joey Paras dies at 45". PUSH. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Songco, Pauline (October 31, 2023). "Joey Paras, 45". Daily Tribune. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d Cordero, KC (October 29, 2023). "Comedian Joey Paras, pumanaw na; pamilya nananawagan ng tulong". Philippine Entertainment Portal (in Tagalog). Retrieved October 29, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Garcia, Nick (October 30, 2023). "Actor and director Joey Paras passes away at 45". Philstar Life. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Mendoza, Ruel (August 17, 2013). "Comedian Joey Paras on bagging Cinemalaya Best Supporting Actor award: "Ang lakas maka-Anne Hathaway ng award na 'to ha!"". Philippine Entertainment Portal (in Tagalog). Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Bukas, Leo (May 1, 2020). "Exclusive: Joey Paras kinumbinse noon ni Direk Wenn Deramas na magdirek sa ABS-CBN bago ito pumanaw". PUSH (in Tagalog). Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Calderon, Ricky (December 15, 2014). "Joey Paras describes experience directing Wenn Deramas and Soxie Topacio in indie film". Philippine Entertainment Portal (in Tagalog). Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  8. ^ Cruz, Marinel (December 6, 2020). "2020 Inquirer Indie Bravo! Awards: 35 prestigious international wins". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  9. ^ "Joey Paras fulfills childhood dream". October 20, 2013.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i Tariman, Pablo (October 26, 2013). "Joey Paras: 'I am happy in theater; to become a star in mainstream films at 36 would be a bonus'". Lifestyle Inquirer. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g "Joey Paras' journey from theater to screen". Rappler. September 16, 2013.
  12. ^ a b c d e f Cruz, Marinel (October 2, 2020). "PH short 'Igib' triumphs in Macedonia, India". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  13. ^ "Throwback: Joey Paras happy to be compared to Vice Ganda". ABS-CBN News. October 31, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  14. ^ "Komedyanteng si Joey Paras gusto uling maging OFW". The Philippine STAR.
  15. ^ Francisco, Butch (June 29, 2010). "Star Bytes: Glitter & glam at the 1st MTRCB Awards". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  16. ^ a b c "'Bekikang': A new Wenn Deramas star is born". Rappler. October 14, 2013. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  17. ^ a b c d "Actor Joey Paras dies at 45". Rappler. October 29, 2023. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
  18. ^ Severo, Jan Milo (October 30, 2023). "Comedian Joey Paras passes away at 45". Philstar.com. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  19. ^ Acar, Aedrianne (June 9, 2020). "Joey Paras appeals for donation for his angioplasty". GMA Entertainment. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
  20. ^ "Joey Paras' family appeals for help". ABS-CBN News.
  21. ^ 2008 Aliw Awards:
  22. ^ 2008 Philstage Gawad Buhay! Awards for the Performing Arts:
  23. ^ a b c Rodriguez, Bea (February 16, 2017). "Watch: Bakit makabuluhan para kay Joey Paras ang The Last Supper painting?". GMA Entertainment (in Tagalog). Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  24. ^ 2010 Gawad Urian:
  25. ^ 2010 Golden Screen Awards:
  26. ^ PMPC Star Awards for Movies, 2010:
  27. ^ Golden Screen Film Awards, 2013:
  28. ^ "List of winners of 2013 Cinemalaya indie film fest". Philippine Daily Inquirer. August 5, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  29. ^ YCC Film Desk (2019). The 30th Annual Circle Citations for Distinguished Achievement in Film for 2019 (PDF). Philippines: Young Critics Circle. p. 106. Retrieved November 10, 2023 – via YCC Film Desk.
  30. ^ "Mga nagwagi sa ika-12 Gawad Tanglaw". Pilipino Star Ngayon (in Tagalog). January 11, 2014. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  31. ^ PMPC Star Awards for Movies, 2014:
  32. ^ "Full List: Winners, 11th Golden Screen Awards". Rappler. October 5, 2014. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  33. ^ "Angel, Arjo, Alden among honorees at 5th Film Ambassadors' Night". ABS-CBN News. February 17, 2021. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  34. ^ PMPC Star Awards for Movies, 2023:
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