After a long delay, Luna awards finally given away

CEBU, Philippines - “Better late than never,” so goes the popular saying. And with that, the Film Academy of the Philippines’ Luna Awards finally honored its winners for their distinguished achievements in 2007 in simple rites held Sunday night at the Mandarin Suites of Gateway Mall in the Araneta Center.

The award winners were previously announced last December but it was only last Sunday that the awards night was held.

The top acting honors were garnered by Maricel Soriano, who was named best actress for Regal Entertainment’s “Bahay Kubo” while Paolo Contis was voted best actor for “Banal” from Comguild Productions.

This is the third Luna Award for Maricel who also won in 1997 for “Nasaan ang Puso” and in 2003 for “Filipinas.”

Unfortunately, the Diamond Star was unable to accept her award. She was still in the United States together with her sons Renz and Marron for a vacation. The award was accepted on her behalf by Ms. Gina Alajar.

Paolo, the best actor winner, said in his speech that he didn’t expect he’d win and that he was surprised with his victory. He was, of course, only joking, as he already knew that he won. After all, he was the only best actor nominee who was present that night.

This is Paolo’s first acting award from Luna although he also won the Best Actor award from the PMPC Star Awards also for “Banal.” He dedicated his award to his mother, and to his girlfriend, Lian Paz of EB Babes.

He also thanked his director, GMA 7 news reporter Cesar Apolinario, for choosing him for the role even if he was not the first choice.

The awards for Best Supporting Actor and Actress were won by Dante Rivero (who first won the Luna Awards for “Tuhog” in 2001) and Angelica Panganiban, respectively, for the movie “A Love Story.”

Angelica said she wouldn’t have garnered the award if not for the trust given to her by Star Cinema, which produced the film, and by Maryo J. Delos Reyes, who directed the movie. The award was also Angelica’s first from Luna.

“A Love Story” won a total of five awards, including Best Picture and Best Screenplay honors for Vanessa Valdez.

In an interview with Direk Maryo shortly before the awards night ended, he expressed elation at being chosen as the winner of the Best Director trophy. The first time he won the Luna was in 2003 for the movie “Magnifico.” This was the time that Albert Martinez produced the Luna Awards for the Academy.

“The first time I received the Luna Award, the awards rites was held at the CCP, and it was pompous and grandiose. This time, the awards night is modest but still as powerful. What I mean is, even if the awards presentation is not as lavish, it doesn’t diminish the quality of the award. The prestige is still the same. It is still important. It’s just the awards presentation that differs,” Direk Maryo answered.

He also expressed happiness at being acknowledged by his peers in the industry. Direk Maryo wishes that more producers would be enticed to continue making movies even if times are hard, to give a new lease on life to the film industry that has had seen better days.

“I wish that we could strengthen what is weak. We can see how weak the film industry is now. There are not enough jobs for everybody. I wish that producers won’t be discouraged to produce. How I wish that these awards could inspire them to produce movies,” said Direk Maryo who also expressed happiness that Dante and Angelica won for their work in “A Love Story.”

The rest of the awards were Best Cinematography (Renato de Vera for “Ataul for Rent”); Best Editing (Jess Navarro for Seiko Films’ “Silip”); Best Production Design (Rodell Cruz for Imus Productions’ “Resiklo”); Best Sound (Ditoy Aguila for GMA and Viva Films’ “Ouija”); and Best Musical Score (Carmina Reyes Cuya for Ouija).

The Academy also bestowed honors and recognition on four film industry stalwarts. These were the Golden Reel Award to former President Joseph Estrada, the Manuel de Leon Award to the late producer-director Cirio Santiago, the FPJ Lifetime Achievement Award to Ms. Boots Anson Roa, and the Lamberto Avellana Award (posthumous) to the late sound engineer Juanito Clemente.

The Academy also gave a plaque of appreciation to Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim for his support and assistance to the Academy. Mayor Lim was the first Metro Manila executive to turn over to the Academy its share from the 25-centavo cultural development tax collected by movie houses for admission tickets retroactive to 1992. This amounted to P2.1 million.

The awards night was made possible by a P600,000 financial assistance from the Film Development Council of the Philippines.