In a remarkable feat, accomplished actor John Lloyd Cruz has once again asserted his prominence in the entertainment realm by securing the esteemed Boccalino d’Oro prize at the 76th Locarno Film Festival held in Switzerland.

Cruz’s exceptional portrayal in Lav Diaz’s “Essential Truth of Lake” earned him the coveted Boccalino d’Oro award, also known as the Golden Jug award, in the Best Actor category. The Film Development Council of the Philippines officially unveiled this prestigious achievement on a Friday announcement.

Expressing shared delight and pride, FDCP Chairman and CEO Tirso Cruz III conveyed his heartfelt congratulatory message, noting, “It is with great joy and pride that I congratulate one of the most talented artists of our country, Mr. John Lloyd Cruz, for having won the Boccalino d’Oro prize for Best Actor at the 76th LFF in Switzerland.”

“This award is much deserved by an artist of his caliber. Lloydie, congratulations and thank you for bringing honor to our country.”

Cruz’s triumph aligns with the success of Hazel Orencio, who previously clinched the Best Actress award during the 2014 installment of the same esteemed film festival. Significantly, Orencio’s victory was also attributed to a Lav Diaz masterpiece, “Mula sa Kung Ano ang Noon.”

Renowned as “Lav Diaz’s Essential Truths of the Lake,” the film marks Diaz’s triumphant return to the Locarno Film Festival, having previously been bestowed the prestigious Golden Leopard Prize for “Mula sa Kung Ano ang Noon.”

Eagerly anticipated, ‘Essential Truths of the Lake’ is featured in the Concorso Internazionale, the festival’s main competition section, which is set to captivate audiences until August 12. Notably, the Film Development Council of the Philippines underscores that this cinematic marvel stands as the solitary Southeast Asian entry in this revered competition.

Collaborating alongside Cruz are accomplished talents including Hazel Orencio, Shaina Magdayao, Bart Guingona, and Agot Isidro. The film’s narrative unfolds as Lieutenant Hermes Papauran embarks on a quest for truth amidst a backdrop of national upheaval and deceit. Unperturbed by adversities, Papauran persists in seeking closure for a fifteen-year-old case, against a vivid backdrop of volcanic ash and an enigmatic lake—a testament to his unwavering resolve and bravery.