Jaclyn Jose's sweet triumph

It was the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino that gave Jaclyn Jose her first best actress award in 1986 for the movie "Takaw Tukso." She duplicated the feat two years later when she bagged her second best actress plum from the Urian for the movie "Itanong Mo Sa Buwan."

In the last Urian Awards rites held two weeks ago, Jaclyn won her third Urian best actress trophy for the indie movie "Sarong Banggi," directed by Emman dela Cruz and produced by UFO Films, the same group behind the Urian best picture winner, "Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros."

It was a sweet triumph for Jaclyn who never expected that she'd come home for the Urian awards night a victor. "I came here to attend because being nominated is already an honor for me. Winning an award is like a bonus," says the mestiza actress who attended the Urian rites with her children.

Aside from her latest Urian award, Jaclyn also won two best supporting actress recognitions from the Manunuri - first in 1985 for the Lino Brocka film "Macho Dancer" and the second in 1995 for the Joel Lamangan movie, "The Flor Contemplacion Story."

"My very first Urian win gave me the encouragement to seriously pursue an acting award," says Jaclyn, noting that she was a virtual newcomer when she garnered her very first acting trophy. "Winning an award is a big boost not only to me but to other young and new filmmakers as well. It's a big encouragement."

Her latest Urian trophy brings the count to 25 acting citations that Jaclyn has won through the years. But each time she attends an awards night, her heart skips a beat whenever that moment comes that the winner's name is announced.

"I never got used to it. Hindi pa ako nasasanay. Naroon pa rin ang excitement, ang kaba. Parang hindi ka makahinga. The feeling is always like that. Nothing changes," says the award-winning actress.

"There is always that exciting feeling whenever you do something good or a heavy scene that makes you tell yourself you did a good job. Pag matindi ang eksenang ginagawa ko, inaatake ako ng nerbyos. When I am nervous, the more inspired I am to give my best."

"Sarong Banggi" will be released on September 6 at SM Digital Cinemas nationwide namely Cebu, Clark, Davao, Fairview, Mall of Asia, Megamall, North EDSA, Pampanga, South Mall and SM Sta. Mesa.

Tyrone Perez, Twilight Dancer

Starstruck 1 final 14 member Tyrone Perez makes his bid for the big time by appearing in the movie "Twilight Dancers," the third in a series of gay-themed movies being directed by Mel Chionglo and is intended as entry to the Toronto International Film Festival this September.

From being the wholesome newcomer in Starstruck, Tyrone makes the daring leap to the "bold" genre by playing the role of a macho dancer in this Ricky Lee script that he believes could spell success or doom for him in the business.

"I didn't have second thoughts in accepting the offer," says Tyrone who's now being managed by starbuilder Douglas Quijano. "I auditioned for the role and I was flattered when I was chosen to play the lead as the star dancer in the sleazy gay bar. I felt lucky when I was chosen to play the part since a number of stars did audition for the role."

One thing that made it easy for Tyrone to decide was the fact that "Twilight Dancers" was penned by Ricky Lee and is directed by Mel Chionglo, a potent combination of expertise and excellence no less. "I know this is going to be a quality film, plus it's going to be screened at the Toronto International Film Festival. This is a prestigious project, not an exploitative one. There's more to it than just baring and dancing in the gay bar."

Not only will Tyrone be required to dance before an audience wearing only his undies, he will also do a love scene with William Martinez who plays a gay OFW and pit his acting wares against Cherry Pie Picache.

"I know what I am getting into when I accepted this project so I will have to give it my one hundred percent. I can't do this role without being ready for the daring scenes I'd have to do," says Tyrone.

In fact, if another sexy role comes along, Tyrone is inclined to accept it, depending on the script and the director.

"I know a lot of people were shocked when after a wholesome take in Starstruck, here I am doing a very sexy role in 'Twilight Dancers.' Even I was surprised and at a lost for words whenever asked why I did this. I was really nervous on my first day on the set. I had to do my dance number in front of a big audience since it was a party scene. Nahihiya ako but I just conditioned myself that I am playing a role and just imagined that I'm wearing pants, not in my underwear, while dancing," he recalled.

Tyrone did best and that he gave a good account of himself, acting-wise, in "Twilight Dancers" and hopefully, people would finally take notice that he's not just a pretty face but a competent performer as well.

Agot releases bossa nova album

Patience is a virtue and Agot Isidro knows this by heart. It has been years since Agot last came out with a CD and there's no better time for her to release one than now.

While she is, first and foremost a singer, Agot has, through the years branched out and spread her wings. She has taken hosting chores in corporate and social events, dabbled in acting on stage, television, and the movies, and has been enjoying her role as wife to advertising executive Manu Sandejas.

But she is most excited about her new CD from Holiday Records entitled "The Island." This special bossa nova CD is now out in the market and Agot likes what she has heard after all the brainstorming nights, strategic planning meeting and thorough recording sessions.

"It's not easy to record a bossa nova song even if my voice suits this type of music," says Agot in an interview. "You've got to capture that certain feel of a bossa nova song. There's that certain beat that you can't do without. Vocal acrobatics is a no-no. You've got to capture the real essence of the song."

"I Wish I Was Making Love To You Tonight" is the first single of the album, and never mind if it has the longest title, because in the end, it had all the ingredients needed of a potential hit.