Katrina Halili, Angel Guardian celebrate first Best Actress wins at Japan Awards

Katrina Halili and Angel Guardian celebrated their very first Best Actress wins at the 10th World Class Excellence Japan Awards (WCEJA) for their respective television performances last June 18.

WCEJA, a Japan-based award-giving body, honors individuals for achievements that reflect excellence, leadership, service, creativity, dedication, and meaningful impact. 

Halili received the Best Actress in a TV Series award for her portrayal of Emma Joseco in the drama series “Mommy Dearest.”

Sharing the milestone on Instagram, the 40-year-old wrote, “First Best Actress Award mula sa World Class Excellence Japan Awards. Isang malaking karangalan po ito para sa akin bilang artista at bilang isang taong patuloy na nagsisikap na pagbutihin ang aking craft.”

The StarStruck alum also expressed her gratitude to everyone who have supported her journey.

“Maraming salamat sa aking pamilya, mga kaibigan, management ,mga nakatrabaho ko sa industriya, at sa lahat ng sumusuporta sa akin KKKFam, KKKTeam, Kris Lawrence & Katie sa bawat hakbang ng aking journey. Higit sa lahat, salamat sa Diyos sa gabay at mga biyayang natatanggap ko.”

“Ang parangal na ito ay hindi lamang para sa akin, kundi para sa lahat ng naniwala at patuloy na naniniwala sa akin. Maraming maraming salamat po, at mabuhay ang World Class Excellence Japan Awards!” she added.

Before this latest achievement, Halili won Best Supporting Actress at the Emirates Film Festival in 2024 for her role in the psychological drama film “AbeNida.” Her recent projects include the sports-drama series “Kamao.”

Also taking home a Best Actress award was Angel Guardian, who was recognized for her portrayal of Deia in “Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre.”

The 27-year-old shared her excitement on Instagram:  “Got my first-ever Best Actress Award for portraying Deia in Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre.

"Nakakataba ng puso na may nakakakita at nakakaapreciate ng talento at pamamaraan mo bilang aktor—nakakaganang mas pagbutihin pa ang bawat trabahong ipinagkakatiwala at bawat proyekto na darating.

"Maraming salamat, World Class Excellence Japan Awards sa pagkilala na ito. Hopefully, this is the first of many,” she wrote.

Guardian starred in the second season of the fantasy-drama series  alongside Bianca Umali, Kelvin Miranda, and Faith Da Silva. 

The series finale aired on May 8. 

She is also part of the long-running comedy program “Bubble Gang.” Guardian recently appeared in the 2025 MMFF entry “ReKonek.”

Other awardees include Angel Aquino for Supporting Actress and Mon Confiado for Supporting Actor.

The awarding body also paid tribute to the late Nora Aunor and Pilita Corrales with lifetime honors, recognizing Aunor as the World-Class Icon of Philippine Cinema and Performing Arts and Corrales as the World-Class Queen of Songs.