The ones overlooked

We are already in the middle of the awards season and in spite of that scandal that rocked the Philippine Movie Press Club’s Star Awards, other awards organizations will continue to merrily give out their respective sets of trophies to honor last year’s achievements in films.

The Entertainment Press Society’s Golden Screen and Star Awards are done with their awards, while the others already have their list of nominees. Having seen all the local films (there weren’t too many of them) shown last year, I also have my own list of the significant performances (some of which were overlooked by most award-giving bodies) and I’m sharing this with you–starting with the supporting actors.

• James Blanco (Kuya and Sigaw)–his best scene in Kuya is at the dinner table, where he stands up to his dad, who had always belittled his efforts at becoming his own person. In Sigaw, he is at his best when he ignores the pleas for help of his neighbor, Izza Calzado, because he doesn’t want to get involved in other people’s marital squabbles. There is so much confusion in his head if he is going to intervene or not with his neighbors’ affairs and James essays this very well in this suspense-thriller by Yam Laranas.

• Jojit Lorenzo (Now That I Have You)–this is the guy with dandruff in the Nizoral ad and he is very effective playing different roles (security guard, Cupid, etc.) that flit in and out in this romantic comedy by Laurenti Dyogi.

• Johnny Delgado (Santa Santita) –this award-winning actor rarely comes out in the movies these days, but his every excursion in the film business (just like Tanging Yaman) is always worth the wait–just like his very solid performance in Santa Santita as a troubled priest assigned in the province and weighing out things in the Quiapo parish.

• Tirso Cruz III (Minsan Pa)–as the estranged father of Jomari Yllana, he is best in the scene where he sings a Cebuano song to his family during a rare family reunion.

• Jay Manalo (Aishite Imasu 1941)–his every performance now always gets noticed by the critics, but his best in 2004 is in this war drama by Joel Lamangan where he plays a Japanese official who falls for a cross-dresser (Dennis Trillo). Jay also gives a noteworthy performance in Mano Po: My Love, except that he looks too young here to be playing a man supposedly in his late 40s.

• Jacky Woo (Panaghoy sa Suba) –I actually had little respect for everything that this Japanese actor did on screen in the past–until I saw him in this masterpiece by Cesar Montano.

For supporting actress, below are my top choices:

• Izza Calzado (Milan and Sigaw)–this new TV-film personality with the best bone structure has also become one of the finest actresses in local cinema today.

• Ilonah Jean (Milan and Feng Shui)–her return to the movies has been rewarded with positive notices from film reviewers–a good sign that she should stay in the business.

• Serena Dalrymple (I Will Survive)–the youngest Urian Best Supporting Actress winner (at age eight in Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa?), she is very believable as the awkward teener who could never measure up to the standard of beauty set by her beauteous mother, played by Dina Bonnevie.

• Chanda Romero (Naglalayag)–as the best friend of Nora Aunor in this Maryo J. de los Reyes drama, she really gives terrific support to the lead star–without her own talent being eclipsed.

• Rio Locsin (Sabel and Minsan Pa)–an underrated actress, I hope she finally gets acknowledged for her brilliance by winning (or at least getting nominated!) in either film.

• Tuesday Vargas (Liberated 2)–she is truly one of the funniest lady performers ever to invade local comedy. She is hilarious in this film as a family breadwinner whose ambition is to be able to work abroad–in Iraq, Bosnia, wherever…for as long as it is in foreign shores.

• Lotlot de Leon (Feng Shui) – the moments–with her fighting and struggling–leading to her death is one of the most gripping in local movies.

• Hilda Koronel (Santa-Santita)–a performer who could do no wrong as far as acting is concerned.

• Cherry Pie Picache (Santa-Santita)–the other performer in this industry who could do no wrong either in the business of acting.

• Ara Mina (Minsan Pa)–hers is a character that is in the borderline of lead and support. Given the fact that she has already developed into a fine performer and the length of her role (to which she gives justice), she becomes a shoo-in for the Best Supporting Actress award.

• Angie Ferro (Ebolusyon ng Isang Pamilyang Pilipino)–watching her deliver a wonderful performance (as the mother of Pen Medina) is a very welcome break in this 10-and-a-half-hour Lav Diaz film.

• Caridad Sanchez (Panaghoy sa Suba)–her being a native Cebuana makes her all the more credible as the aunt of Juliana Palermo who tries to match the young girl with any rich foreigner who comes to town.

Rebecca Lusterio (Panaghoy sa Suba)–the winner of several Best Child Actress awards (for Muro-ami), she is the most "natural" actress I have ever seen in local cinema.