AWARDS, AWARDS, AWARDS – In no time, the various award-giving groups will be evaluating the local films shown last year (from January to December 2016) for their annual awards night. “Gabi ng Parangal” it’s also billed.
FAMAS – the oldest of them all, starting in the early ’50s.
STAR – perhaps the most popular, after all, behind the Star Awards, is the Philippine Movie Press Club, which also gives TV and music recognitions.
MMFF – the annual Metro Manila Film Festival, always plagued by controversies.
GOLDEN SCREEN – from Enpress (Entertainment Press of the Philippines. But lately, not much is heard from the group.
But it’ll be active this year).
LUNA – as the FAP (Film Academy of the Philippines) Award is called, after painter Juan Luna. It’s supposed to be the industry award.
EDITOR’S CHOICE – the Society of the Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEED) hopes to start giving awards this year.
Others as they come to mind: PASADO, Catholic Mass Media, Gawad Tanglaw, and all those trophies given away by indie filmfests and civic and educational groups.
And, of course, the prestigious and coveted URIAN, given by the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino, said to be the hardest to please. Well, it’s composed mostly of professors from UP, UST, Ateneo, and La Salle.
Members include the revered Bien Lumbera (National Artist and Magsaysay Awardee).
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URIAN AWARDEES – By happenstance, Gil Portes the director of “Moonlight over Baler,” a pre-Valentine presentation (Feb. 8) is an Urian awardee, best director for “Mga Munting Tinig,” also Urian best picture.
Three of “Moonlight over Baler” actors are also Urian awardees. Elizabeth Oropesa, best actress for Joel Lamangan’s “Bulaklak ng Maynila” and best supporting actress for Marilou Abaya’s “Milagros.”
Daria Ramirez, best actress for “Sinong Kapiling, Sinong Kapiling?” and best supporting actress for “Aguila,” both directed by Eddie Romero.
Menggie Cobarrubias, best supporting actor for Lino Brocka’s “Jaguar.”
“Moonlight over Baler” production designer Arthur Nicdao is also an Urian awardee. Not for PD though but as scriptwriter for “Pagputi ng Uwak, Pag-itim ng Tagak.” Incidentally, Angie Ferro who’s cast in “Pagputi” won a best supporting actress from FAMAS. She has a role in “Moonlight over Baler.”