26th Gawad Urian: Yes, the tie still binds

Dekada ‘70 and Mga Munting Tinig tied as Best Picture at last Saturday night’s 26th Gawad Urian at the AFP Theater in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. The decision didn’t come as a surprise because the Urian is noted for "tie" choices - 11 so far, including Lav Diaz (Batang West Side) and Armando Lao (Tuhog) for Best Screenplay (2001); for Best Actress, Gina Alajar (Brutal) and Nora Aunor (Bona) in 1980, Gina Alajar (Kapit sa Patalim) and Nida Blanca (Miguelito) in 1985, Jaclyn Jose (Takaw Tukso) and Pilar Pilapil (Napakasakit, Kuya Eddie) in 1986, Nora Aunor (Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit) and Vilma Santos (Pahiram ng Isang Umaga) in 1989, Nora Aunor (Bakit May Kahapon Pa?) and Sharon Cuneta (Madrasta) in 1996, and Assunta de Rossi (Hubog) and Rosanna Roces (La Vida Rosa) in 2001; and for Best Supporting Actress, Maya (Mitch) Valdes (Lunes, Martes, Miyerkoles, Huwebes, Biyernes, Sabado, Linggo) and Yvonne (Ligaw na Bulaklak) in 1976, Nida Blanca (Magdusa Ka) and Anita Linda (Takaw Tukso) in 1986, and Maricel Laxa (Minsan Lamang Magmahal) and Elizabeth Oropesa (Milagros) in 1997;

The Urian, run by the Manunuri, seems to be also stuck with Vilma Santos who bagged her eighth Best Actress trophy (for Dekada ‘70, an average of one win every four years (including in 1982 for Relasyon, 1983 for Broken Marriage, 1984 for Sister Stella L., 1989 for Pahiram ng Isang Umaga, 1991 for Ipagpatawad Mo, 1993 for Dahil Mahal Kita (The Dolzura Cortez Story) and 1998 for Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa? That’s how much the Urian loves Vilma, two trophies more than Nora Aunor who has so far won only six.

It didn’t also come as a surprise when Piolo Pascual won as Best Supporting Actor (also for Dekada ‘70) because everybody had been predicting that he would score a grand slam, having already swept the Star Awards, the Film Academy Awards, the FAMAS and three other award derbies (including the Metro Filmfest in December last year).

And since "ties" are a recurring phenomenon(?) at the Urian, what else can we do but congratulate the winners and give them double cheers?

The Honor Roll

• Best Picture(s) — Mga Munting Tinig and Dekada ’70

• Best Direction — Gil M. Portes (Tinig)

• Best Screenplay — Lualhati Bautista (Dekada ’70)

• Best Actor — Jay Manalo (Prosti)

• Best Actress — Vilma Santos (Dekada ’70)

• Best Supporting Actor — Piolo Pascual (Dekada ’70)

• Best Supporting Actress — Elizabeth Oropesa (Laman)

• Best Production Design — Arthur Nicdao (Tinig)

• Best Cinematography — Shayne Clemente (Kailangan Kita)

• Best Editing — Francis Vinarao (Diskarte)

• Best Musical Scoring — Tony Cortez (Diskarte)

• Best Sound — Audio Media (Alamat ng Agimat)

• Best Short Film — Binyag by Mariami Tanangco

• Natatanging Gawad Urian — Ricky Lee