By NEIL RAMOS
This year’s Gawad Urian circumvented norms naming a rapper as Best Actor.
Abra, who gained huge notice in 2012 following the release of his single “Gayuma,” bested the likes of Empoy Marquez (“Kita Kita”), Nonie Buencamino (“Smaller and Smaller Circles”), Timothy Castillo (“Neomanila”), Noel Comia Jr.
(“Kiko Boksingero”), Allen Dizon (“Bomba”), RS Francisco (“Bhoy Intsik”), Jojit Lorenzo (“Changing Partners”), Sandino Martin (“Changing Partners”), and Justine Samson (“Balangiga: Howling Wilderness”), for the much coveted plum.
Abra earned the honor for his excellent performance in “Respeto,” a film about Pinoy hip-hop.
The film by Treb Monteras II also won best editing for Lawrence Ang and best sound for Corrine de San Jose while, Abra’s co-star, Dido de la Paz, was named best supporting actor.
Meanwhile, winning the best actress trophy was Joanna Ampil for her performance in “Ang Larawan.”
She bested Alessandra de Rossi (“Kita Kita”), Angeli Bayani (“Bagahe”), Gloria Diaz (“Si Chedeng at Si Apple”), Dexter Doria (“Paki”), Jally Nae Gilbaliga (“The Chanters”), Agot Isidro (“Changing Partners”), Elizabeth Oropesa (“Si Chedeng at Si Apple”), Bela Padilla (“100 Tula Para Kay Stella”), Angellie Nicholle Sanoy (“Bomba”), and Malona Sulatan (“Tu Pug Imatuy”).
“Ang Larawan” also won Best Production Design for Gino Gonzalez.
The winners chosen by the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino were revealed Thursday, during an awarding ceremony held at the ABS-CBN Vertis Tent in Quezon City.
