# Signal Rock

Signal Rock is a 2018 Filipino independent drama film produced and directed by Chito S. Roño, starring Christian Bables together with an ensemble cast. The film was produced by CSR Productions and distributed by Regal Entertainment on August 15, 2018 which serves as the official entry to the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino. It was selected as the Philippine entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 91st Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.
Based on a true story and set in 1990s, the film follows Intoy (Bables), as he takes care of his family in Biri, Samar while his sister is overseas and is only able to contact her while atop the strange rock formations on the edge of the island.

## Premise

The story follows Intoy (Bables) who lives with his family in Biri, Northern Samar while his sister Vicky works in Finland. Vicky marries a foreigner believing that it will solve their financial problems. In order to contact his sister, Intoy must scramble about the strange rock formations in the island to attain signal, as is it the only location where he can do so. Intoy experiences conflict due to his love for a woman who will soon leave for Manila, his duty in the island, and his ambitions, which include leaving the island for work. Traditionally, women leave the island, while the men stay.

## Cast

* Christian Bables as Intoy Abakan
* Daria Ramirez as Alicia Abakan
* Nanding Josef as Jamin Abakan
* Mon Confiado as Damian
* Elora Españo as Rachel
* Keanna Reeves as Gloria
* Francis Magundayao as Bong
* Archie Adamos as Mario
* Sue Prado as Loida
* Jomari Umpa as Kiko
* Ces Quesada as Chona
* Kokoy De Santos as Gabs
* Judy Ann Santos as Vicky Abakan
* Mara Lopez as Gina
* Ruby Ruiz as Mila
* Dido dela Paz
* Arnold Reyes as Joaquin
* Menggie Cobarrubias as Mayor
* Joel Saracho
* JayR Versales
* Lee O'Brian as Finnish Consul

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award-giving body | Recipient(s) | Award | Result |
| 2018 | 2nd Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino | Signal Rock | Critics' Choice | Won |
| 2018 | 2nd Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino | Signal Rock | Special Jury Prize | Won |
| 2018 | 2nd Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino | Christian Bables | Best Performance by an Actor | Won |
| 2018 | 5th Hanoi International Film Festival | Signal Rock | Best Main Actor | Won |
| 2019 | 17th Dhaka International Film Festival | Rody Vera | Best Script | Won |
| 2019 | ASEAN International Film Festival & Awards | Signal Rock | Best Film | Won |
| 2019 | ASEAN International Film Festival & Awards | Chito S. Roño | Best Director | Nominated |
| 2019 | ASEAN International Film Festival & Awards | Elora Españo | Best Actress | Nominated |
| 2019 | ASEAN International Film Festival & Awards | Rody Vera | Best Screenplay | Nominated |
| 2019 | 3rd GEMS Hiyas ng Sining Awards | Signal Rock | Best Independent Film | Nominated |
| 2019 | 3rd GEMS Hiyas ng Sining Awards | Chito S. Roño | Best Director (Independent Film) | Nominated |
| 2019 | 3rd GEMS Hiyas ng Sining Awards | Christian Bables | Best Actor | Nominated |
| 2019 | 3rd GEMS Hiyas ng Sining Awards | Daria Ramirez | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated |
| 2019 | 3rd GEMS Hiyas ng Sining Awards | Arnold Reyes | Best Supporting Actor | Nominated |
| 2019 | 67th FAMAS Awards | Signal Rock | Best Picture | Nominated |
| 2019 | 67th FAMAS Awards | Christian Bables | Best Actor | Nominated |
| 2019 | 67th FAMAS Awards | Daria Ramirez | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated |
| 2019 | 67th FAMAS Awards | Nanding Josef | Best Supporting Actor | Nominated |
| 2019 | 67th FAMAS Awards | Rody Vera | Best Original Screenplay | Nominated |
| 2019 | 41st Gawad Urian Awards | Signal Rock | Best Picture | Nominated |
| 2019 | 41st Gawad Urian Awards | Chito S. Roño | Best Director | Nominated |
| 2019 | 41st Gawad Urian Awards | Christian Bables | Best Actor | Nominated |
| 2019 | 41st Gawad Urian Awards | Daria Ramirez | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated |
| 2019 | 41st Gawad Urian Awards | Rody Vera | Best Screenplay | Won |
| 2019 | 41st Gawad Urian Awards | Neil Daza | Best Cinematography | Nominated |
| 2019 | 41st Gawad Urian Awards | Mark Sabas | Best Production Design | Nominated |
| 2019 | 41st Gawad Urian Awards | Carlo Francisco Manatad | Best Editing | Nominated |
| 2019 | 41st Gawad Urian Awards | Albert Michael Idioma | Best Sound | Nominated |
| 2019 | 35th PMPC Star Award for Movies | Signal Rock | Movie of the Year | Nominated |
| 2019 | 35th PMPC Star Award for Movies | Chito S. Roño | Movie Director of the Year | Nominated |
| 2019 | 35th PMPC Star Award for Movies | Daria Ramirez | Movie Supporting Actress of the Year | Nominated |
| 2019 | 35th PMPC Star Award for Movies | Rody Vera | Movie Screenwriter of the Year | Nominated |
| 2019 | 35th PMPC Star Award for Movies | Neil Daza | Movie Cinematographer of the Year | Nominated |
| 2019 | 35th PMPC Star Award for Movies | Mark Sabas | Movie Production Designer of the Year | Nominated |
| 2019 | 35th PMPC Star Award for Movies | Carlo Francisco Manatad | Movie Editor of the Year | Nominated |
| 2019 | 35th PMPC Star Award for Movies | Albert Michael Idioma | Movie Sound Engineer of the Year | Nominated |
| 2019 | 35th PMPC Star Award for Movies | Signal Rock | Movie Ensemble Acting of the Year | Nominated |
| 2019 | 3rd EDDYS (Entertainment Editors’ Choice) | Signal Rock | Best Picture | Nominated |
| 2019 | 3rd EDDYS (Entertainment Editors’ Choice) | Chito S. Roño | Best Director | Nominated |
| 2019 | 3rd EDDYS (Entertainment Editors’ Choice) | Christian Bables | Best Actor | Nominated |
| 2019 | 3rd EDDYS (Entertainment Editors’ Choice) | Daria Ramirez | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated |
| 2019 | 3rd EDDYS (Entertainment Editors’ Choice) | Rody Vera | Best Screenplay | Nominated |
| 2019 | 3rd EDDYS (Entertainment Editors’ Choice) | Neil Daza | Best Cinematography | Nominated |
| 2019 | 3rd EDDYS (Entertainment Editors’ Choice) | Jaypee Estigoy | Best Visual Effects | Nominated |
| 2019 | 3rd EDDYS (Entertainment Editors’ Choice) | Mark Sabas | Best Production Design | Nominated |
| 2019 | 3rd EDDYS (Entertainment Editors’ Choice) | Carlo Francisco Manatad | Best Editing | Nominated |
| 2019 | 3rd EDDYS (Entertainment Editors’ Choice) | Albert Michael Idioma | Best Sound | Nominated |
| 2019 | 6th UFF Urduja Film Heritage Awards | Signal Rock | Jury Award (Movie of the Year: Drama) | Won |
| 2019 | 6th UFF Urduja Film Heritage Awards | Christian Bables | Best Actor | Won |
| 2019 | 6th UFF Urduja Film Heritage Awards | Neil Daza | Best Cinematography | Won |
| 2019 | 37th FAP Luna Awards | Signal Rock | Best Picture | Nominated |
| 2019 | 37th FAP Luna Awards | Chito S. Roño | Best Director | Won |
| 2019 | 37th FAP Luna Awards | Christian Bables | Best Actor | Nominated |
| 2019 | 37th FAP Luna Awards | Mon Confiado | Best Supporting Actor | Nominated |
| 2019 | 37th FAP Luna Awards | Daria Ramirez | Best Supporting Actress | Won |
| 2019 | 37th FAP Luna Awards | Rody Vera | Best Screenplay | Nominated |
| 2019 | 37th FAP Luna Awards | Neil Daza | Best Cinematography | Nominated |
| 2019 | 37th FAP Luna Awards | Mark Sabas | Best Production Design | Nominated |
| 2019 | 37th FAP Luna Awards | Albert Michael Idioma | Best Sound | Nominated |

## Ratings

According to the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), due to several foul language, mature theme, and some sex scenes, only audiences eighteen (18) years old and above can view this well crafted film (Director's Cut). The MTRCB classified the film as rated R-18.