Indie Films make a big splash at Urian

The 29th Gawad Urian held Thursday night at the Henry Lee Irwin Theater at the Ateneo de Manila University was a big night for independent or "indie" films. It was also a memorable affair for first-time winners who were honored by the prestigious Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino.

Hosted by Pia Guanio, Janno Gibbs and Ogie Alcasid, the star-studded night honored the best of the best in terms of cinematic excellence as the renowned critics' group gave out awards to the outstanding achievers in local cinema last year.

"Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros" from UFO Films, a story about a pre-pubescent boy (Nathan Lopez) who is torn between his infatuation for a good-looking and kind-hearted rookie cop (JR Valentin) and his loyalty to his family, went home with the Best Picture trophy, alongside the Best Screenplay plum for Michiko Yamamoto, an Urian winner in 2003 for the "Magnifico."

The top acting honors went to Jaclyn Jose and Robin Padilla who were named best actress and best actor, respectively. Jaclyn won for her dramatic role as a prostitute in the indie film "Sarung Banggi" produced by UFO Films while Robin won his first acting award for his role of Jess Huson in the satirical comedy "La Visa Loca," produced no less by the Megastar herself, Sharon Cuneta, for Unitel Films.

The award of Jaclyn was her third best actress trophy from the Manunuri, who honored her with best actress awards for "Takaw Tukso" in 1986 and "Itanong Mo Sa Buwan" in 1988. It became her fifth Urian trophy, counting the best supporting actress awards she won for "Macho Dancer" in 1987 and "The Flor Contemplacion Story" in 1995.

Robin finally won his first-ever acting award in the Mark Meily film that satirizes the Pinoy's desire to bag that elusive US tourist visa. Robin as Jess Huson, would do anything and everything, even allowing himself to be crucified, just to obtain a US visa. It was Robin's first comic outing as he's more noted for action films, which made him famous. It was also his first Urian nomination.

"I wasn't expecting anything," says Robin who attended the awards night together with Ms. Regine Velasquez, his co-star in the GMA Films and Viva Films co-production venture titled "Till I Met You," which marks the return of their tandem after their box-office turn in "Kailangan Ko'y Ikaw" a few years ago.

"I've been waiting for this for a long time. It finally happened," adds the ecstatic Robin of his award. He felt so nervous that he rambled and mumbled in his acceptance speech: "I really can't say much. I'm so overwhelmed."

First-time director Mes de Guzman was named Best Director for "Ang Daan Patungong Kalimugtong," a moving and poignant story about two Benguet orphans who brave rough terrain, deep forests, roaring rivers and a precarious hanging bridge to be able to make it to school and learn the day's lessons. The indie film was nominated in all Urian categories, except in the best supporting actor race.

De Guzman went up to Baguio with his crew to shoot this low-budget film that was high in natural beauty and spiked by superb performances from his unknown cast, led by Rhenuel Ordonio and Analyn Bangsi-il, the two Igorot kids who played the lead roles in "Kalimugtong." The two kids attended the awards night in their Igorot attire.

"Nasa atin makinarya at teknolohiya, malaya na tayong lumikha," he says, while accepting his trophy. De Guzman also won the award for Best Production Design for "Ang Daan Patungong Kalimugtong."

Young actor Ketchup Eusebio scored an upset over his more illustrious rivals by winning the Best Supporting Actor trophy for the indie movie, "Sa Aking Pagkakagising Mula sa Kamulatan." It was also the first-ever Urian Nomination for the first time winner.

"I still can't believe it. I came here not expecting anything. I came because I really felt honored by the nomination. I didn't imagine I'd come home as the winner," says Ketchup who bested topnotch and veteran actors Johnny Delgado, Michael de Mesa, and theater stalwarts Soliman Cruz and Ping Medina.

Beauteous actress Hilda Koronel was also a first-time winner in Urian, picking up the Best Supporting Actress trophy for "Nasaan Ka Man" from Star Cinema.

"I didn't prepare any speech but I'd like to thank everybody who worked on the film. I don't want to mention any names as I don't want to miss out on anyone," says Hilda, who attended the awards night escorted by her son, Diego.

Aside from the Best Picture and Best Screenplay, "Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros" also got the awards for Best Cinematography (Nap Jamir) and Editing (Clarence Sison and Kanakan Balintagos). The film had already won a number of awards at the various international film festivals it had joined. The re-mastered version of the film will be released this month and it would also be released internationally.

Auraeus Solito, director of "Maximo," noted the Filipinos' ingenuity and spirit to survive amidst the hard times. "Though our country may be poor, yet our souls are overflowing and rich," says the director.

Other winners were Raffy Magsaysay (Best Sound - "Big Time"), Vincent de Jesus (Best Music - "La Visa Loca"), and Lawrence Fajardo for his short film "Kultado."

One of the highlights of the evening was the conferring of the 2006 Natatanging Gawad Urian to veteran actor-director Eddie Garcia, who was given a tribute by Sharon Cuneta who rendered a medley of movie theme songs from Eddie's selected directorial projects, some of which featured Sharon.

Christian Bautista goes pop-rock

Asia's Pop Idol, Christian Bautista, packed into his hectic schedule a whole day music video shoot for his third single "She Could Be," which is, surprisingly, a non-ballad cut from his internationally-released album "Completely."

"This is Christian's first music video shot in a studio. His previous music videos done in the Philippines were all shot outdoors. And since 'She Could Be' is of the pop rock genre, we've invited Francis Reyes and Buddy Zabala of the premiere rock band The Dawn, and Franklin Benitez of Barbie to play for Christian," says music video director Dreb Monteras. The young director is the man behind some of the music videos of recording artists South Border, Nina, and Sitti. He also directed the music video of Christian's recent hit "Invincible," which was entirely shot at the Subic International Airport.

"She Could Be" is an upbeat musical collaboration of A. Roman, Andrew Fromm, and Christopher Rojas. Andrew is the musical brains behind Christian's mammoth international hits "The Way You Look At Me" and "Everything You Do."

In the music video, Christian animatedly sings about this woman with conflicting yet striking personalities. Christian gets transported inside a giant television set, and assumes various characters as he jumps from one channel to another. There were a total of six set changes for the entire duration of the shoot. "For the first time, masaya ang music video natin!" says Christian.

Twenty-three year-old Belgian model and nursing student Belina Reos plays the love interest of our pop idol in the music video. Odie Flores is lighting director. Gian Espiritu of Essensuals Toni & Guy is stylist. Location is at an old warehouse in Taguig, Rizal.

"She Could Be" the music video will soon premiere on MYX Music Channel. It will also be featured on the reformatted Studio 23 "Breakfast" which began this week. Christian is guest host of "Breakfast" barkada JC Cuadrado, Patty Laurel, and Atom Araullo.

Showbiz newbie is 'pasaway'

This showbiz newbie, a female personality who is a product of an artista search on TV, is really pasaway. Even in the school where she used to study (our source is not sure if she's still enrolled there), she doesn't have a good reputation, particularly noted for being pasaway.

The female newbie is known to flirt with boys. Actually, we only used the word "flirt" to describe her "special" way with boys since the guys in the school even used a stronger word to describe the female newcomer. We don't know if she's aware that the boys in her school don't speak nicely about her. She's kind of notorious, to say the least or to be kind about it. The pasaway image has stuck to her and it seems very unlikely that she will be able to redeem herself from this image, as the boys in her school have pictured her to be.

The female personality displayed her pasaway image on the set of a digital film she's doing for a comebacking film company. She's openly flirting with a male co-star in the flick, whose girlfriend happens to work as one of the film's production staff. But the showbiz newbie doesn't seem to mind the girl at all, trying her very best to get the attention of her male co-star. The latter, who used to be a mainstay of a popular teen program, is playing one of the major roles in the film.

But her pasaway days are numbered. After being suspended by her network because of her attitude, the network executives reportedly put its foot down and decided on not just suspending her as a disciplinary measure, but taking her out of one of her regular shows. If she continues misbehaving, we won't be surprised if the female newcomer finds herself jobless in the days to come.