Watch: Filipino actor’s hilarious speech brings house down at Asia Artist Awards
By Ryan General
Filipino actress Melai Cantiveros-Francisco stole the show at the 2023 Asia Artist Awards (AAA) with a hilarious acceptance speech that had the audience rolling in laughter.
About the event: AAA is a prestigious South Korean award-giving body that gives recognition to artists in Asian television, film and music based on data gathered from global fans. The eighth edition of the awards show was held in the Philippines for the first time on Dec. 14 at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.
Unforgettable award speech: Among the highlights of the evening, Cantiveros-Francisco’s acceptance speech came after winning the best actor award for her role in the Philippine-South Korean action-comedy film “Ma’am Chief: Shakedown in Seoul.”
Known in the Philippines for her self-deprecating humor and quirky expressions, Cantiveros-Francisco had the audience laughing when she questioned the legitimacy of her award during her speech, delivered in broken English.
“Magandang buhay (Good life). If someone questions why I have award, don’t worry — I question too. Because I just received award all of my life [sic] from my mother and father every time they are angry too. Tonight my heart is very ‘kuwan’…the best. I think because God moves in mysterious ways. I cannot believe what food they eat [and] why they chose me. Thank you AAA, I cannot believe this is happening.”
Cantiveros-Francisco’s infectious humor: Among the many members of the audience seen laughing at her remark include P-pop supergroup SB19 and South Korean artists like Stray Kids, Seventeen, NMIXX, NewJeans and Lapillus’ Chanty.
When Cantiveros-Francisco was interviewed by IVE‘s Wonyoung, she similarly poked fun at herself and expressed her disbelief at being part of the prestigious event. She revealed that her idol, Kim Seon-ho, and girl group NewJeans topped her list of stars she wished to meet, evoking laughter from the audience, including from EXO‘s Suho and 2PM‘s Lee JunHo.
About Cantiveros-Francisco: The 35-year-old comedian rose to popularity in the Philippines after winning the reality show “Pinoy Big Brother: Double Up.” Her film “Ma’am Chief: Shakedown in Seoul,” shot in South Korea and the Philippines, was released in Philippine cinemas on Nov. 15.
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