Top bets for Best Actor/Actress - STAR BYTES By Butch Francisco

In my past columns, I’ve been writing about the possible contenders for best picture and in the various acting categories in this year’s awards race. Below is the conclusion: My bests for best actor and actress.

For Best Actor:

Dante Rivero – A former matinee idol built up by Lea Productions. Rivero – through the years and under the guidance of top directors – managed to transform himself into a highly-competent actor. In my book, his best performances were in the films Natutulog Pa Ang Diyos, Kailan Mahuhugasan ang Kasalanan, Milagros and in last year’s Azucena where he brilliantly interprets this complex role as a cantankerous dog butcher who develops a deep friendship with the film’s young heroine, played by Alessandra da Rosi.

Ricky Davao – Voted Best Actor last year by the members of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino and the Philippine Movie Press Club for his performance in Gil Portes’ Saranggola. Davao is in the running again this year for playing an appressive family man who rapes his own daughter (Da Rosi) in Azucena.

Piolo Pascual – My best bet as the next Drama King (after Christopher de Leon and Richard Gomez), Piolo delivers inspired performances in his two films last year: Lagarista and Kahit Isang Saglit. It is in Lagarista, however, where he has better chances of getting a nomination for best actor.

Diether Ocampo – Initially, I thought this actor was hopeless – especially after I saw his wooden performances in Soltera. But in Jose Javier Reyes’ Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin, he was quite impressive as he breezed through his past as Angelu de Leon’s carefree and happy-go-lucky boyfriend.

Cogie Domingo – At 15, I doubt very much if this kid has gone through pain in his young life – yet, he shows so much intensity on the screen – in Deathrow and in Yakapin Mo ang Umaga which should enable him to join this year’s list of best actor finalists.

Patrick Garcia – Like Cogie Domingo, Patrick also showed so much brilliance even at a young age. He was only 15 when he won Best Actor in 1997 for Batang PX. In Sugatang Puso, he gives another heart-rending performance as a confused young man blamed for the death of this stepbrother (Carlo Aquino).

Carlos Morales – In Laro sa Baga, he gets to display not only his body but his immense acting talent as well as the hero Ding in this critically-acclaimed film.

Johnny Delgado – His performance as a man lacking in ambition in Tanging Yaman is well-controlled – so different from the excesses he displayed even in his award-winning moments in his 1980s films.

Dolphy – Still enthroned as the only King of Comedy, not many people are aware that he also has a flair for drama. In Markova Comfort Gay, he excellently combines his talent for both comedy and drama as the old Walter Dempster, Jr.

Eddie Garcia – The versatile actor that he is, Garcia can camp it and ham it up so deliciously in his films. In Deathrow, he gives one of the most subdued performances of his career – another proof of his wide range as an actor.

Christopher de Leon – He gives a very restrained performance as a man caught between his wife (Lorna Tolentino) and his son (Patrick Garcia) by another woman in Sugatang Puso.

For Best Actress:

Vilma Santos – The blockbuster hit Anak manages to pull itself through only on the strength of the wonderful performance of Vilma Santos.

Alessandra da Rossi – It’s a difficult role that she plays in Azucena. But despite the fact that she’s young and so raw at the acting game, she still acquits herself beautifully in this film.

Lorna Tolentino – This Drama Queen delivers two sterling performances for the year 2000: in Yakapin Mo ang Umaga and in Sugatang Puso. Had it not been for the equally great performance of Gloria Romero in Tanging Yaman, Sugatang Puso could have brought Lorna another Best Actress trophy in last December’s Metro Filmfest.

Pops Fernandez – The Concert Queen shines in Gusto Ko Nang Lumigaya not necessarily because she’s practically the only female character here, but mainly because she gives a very mature performance in the film.

Maricel Soriano – In spite of its convoluted and painfully contrived plot, Maricel Soriano still sparkles in Abandonada. This only proves that she is really a good actress – good enough to rise even above an inferior material.

Ina Raymundo – Given the fact that she handles her character so well in Tuhog, don’t be surprised if she just steals the Best Actress trophy from under the nose of any of the veteran performers in this coming awards race.

Klaudia Koronel – One of the few bold actresses with depth (and I’m not referring to her cleavage or, gosh, never mind), Klaudia gives a lush performance as Ina Raymundo’s screen counterpart in Tuhog.

Irma Adlawan – A recruit from theater, she also gives a sterling performance in Tuhog where she plays Ina Raymundo’s equally – doomed mother.
Anna Capri – She gives so much life and energy to an otherwise tired streetwalker role in Don Escudero’s Aray.

Gloria Romero – She’s a shoo-in for Best Actress (in Tanging Yaman). The only question is: Will she score a grand slam?