Joey Paras

Joseph Estrada Paras (February 7, 1978 – October 29, 2023), also known as Joey Paras, was a Filipino actor, filmmaker, singer, screenwriter, playwright, and television host. Paras was a multi-awarded stage and film actor; as well as a television actor and host. Being part of the theater guild Tanghalang Pilipino, he appeared in a Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah musical. In the entertainment industry, he became known in Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival entries, indie films Last Supper No. 3 (2009) and Babagwa (The Spider's Lair; 2013). His supporting roles in the latter, as well as in Dance of the Steelbars, led to recognitions from some award giving bodies. He played the lead role in his launching film, Bekikang: Ang Nanay Kong Beki, in 2013. Paras was also a playwright and theater director; as well as a screenwriter and film director, whose works were mostly featured in local and international film festivals, notably the internationally-awarded Ang Kaibigan ni Imaginary F and short film Igib in 2020, where he won his first best director award at the annual FilMay International Short Film Festival in North Macedonia. He was the playwright behind "Bawal Tumawid, Nakakamatay", one of the plays selected to be produced on stage in the seventh edition of Virgin Labfest (VLF). His rise to fame started in the movie scene when he played the lead role in the film Last Supper Number 3 which received the MTRCB Awards Best Comedy Film for 2010 and Cinemalaya 2009 Best Film.