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In absentia, internationally renowned Filipino filmmaker Brillante Mendoza recently won the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (Netpac) for his film “Foster Child” at the Brisbane International Film Festival in Brisbane, Australia August 10.

“Hindi na ako nakapunta sa Brisbane dahil ang daming trabaho sa Pilipinas. Pero nagpapasalamat pa rin ako dahil kahit wala ako ro’n, they recognized my work,” said Mendoza in a phone interview Thursday night.

“I really wanted to attend the event but I decided not to dahil pang-world view rin naman ang mga inihahanda ko sa Pilipinas,” added Brillante, also known as Dante Mendoza.

“Foster Child”’s victory in Brisbane came after it won the Best Film and Best Actress award for Cherry Pie Picache at the Durban International Film Festival in South Africa last July.

Surprisingly, Picache’s victory wasn’t celebrated in the country. “Sanay na si Cherry Pie sa panalo. Kahit wala nang publicity, okey lang para sa kanya. What is more important is she is still active and she delivers the wares very effectively,” stressed Mendoza who kept mum when he got the coveted award in Durban.

“Actually, it was a birthday gift for me. I celebrated my birthday one day after the awards night in South Africa. I celebrated silently. Mas maganda ‘yon para mas nararamdaman ang victory,” the controversial filmmaker opined.

“I didn’t bother to spread the news even to you, right? You were here during my birthday. I had no party but you spent time to be with me. You were with our friend Dennis Adobas, right?” recalled Mendoza referring to this writer as guest on his natal day.

Meanwhile, “Serbis,” another much talked about film opus of Mendoza was officially invited to the 46th New York International Film Festival in New York.

According to Brillante, it is the very first time ever that a Filipino film got invited to this prestigious fete.

“Sana naman ay i-pratronize ng mga kababayan natin sa Amerika ang ‘Serbis’ para malaman nila na hindi ito basta lang gay film. May socio-political ingredients ang pelikula,” said Mendoza.

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Filipino filmmaker Brillante Mendoza brought his films “Foster Child” and “Tirador” to the 58 th Berlin International Film Festival (also known as the “Berlinale”, ongoing until February 17) fully aware that his films were scheduled for exhibition–but not part of the competition.

However, the positive responses from audiences and critics alike were enough to thrill the Filipino director.

“Hindi lang isa o dalawa ang screening sa isang araw. Nagdodoble-doble pa. Hanggang ngayon, ipinalalabas pa sa Berlin ang ‘Foster Child’ at ‘Tirador.’ I am very happy about the turnout,” he said.

(‘Foster Child’ and ‘Tirador’ are being screened twice, sometimes even thrice, a day. Until now, they are still being shown.)

“Foster Child” tells the story between a foster child and a foster mother who must face their imminent separation after the boy is formally adopted by an American couple.

“Tirador” is an urban saga about small-time crooks living in the tough, gritty underbelly of the City of Manila.

Mendoza returned to the Philippines before the end of the Berlinale to honor commitments to several projects.

“Pero may mga representatives ako ro’n. Sila ang nakikipag-negotiate sa commercial run ng mga pelikula. Marami ang nanghihinayang sa Germany na hindi nakasama sa competition ang mga pelikula. Pero okey lang. The mere fact that we were invited was meritorious enough,” said Mendoza.

(I have my representatives there. They are the ones tasked to negotiate regarding the commercial run of the films. There are many people in Germany who regret that my films in the competition section but it’s okay)

According to Mendoza, he did a lot of interviews for the press and his films received positive reviews in international newspapers that covered the Berlinale

“A lot of critics and buyers were saying so many good words about the films. Nakakataba talaga ng puso. (It’s heartwarming),” he said.

“Tirador” won in the Marrakech International Film Festival in Morocco late last year.

Mendoza said that after a break, he’ll continue going around the festival circuit.

“Sa March, aalis ulit ako for international film festivals. (I am scheduled to attend other international film festivals in March).”

Mendoza is in the country for the pre-production of “Servando,” a film about a male prostitute. The movie stars Kristofer King, Coco Martin, Cherry Pie Picache, Gina Pareño, Mercedes Cabral and other respected actors.

The production of “Servando” is being funded by the Pusan International Film Festival and the Film Development Council of the Philippines.