Balangiga tops 41st Gawad Urian

MANILA, Philippines — Balangiga: Howling Wilderness, directed by Khavn dela Cruz, was named Best Film at the 41st Gawad Urian held last June 14 at the ABS-CBN Vertis Tent in Quezon City.

Joanna Ampil won Best Actress for her role in Ang Larawan, while rapper Abra bagged his first lead acting award for his work in the movie Respeto.

Joanna Ampil is named Best Actress for Ang Larawan

“Hip-hop culture is now being recognized in the silver screen. This would not be complete if not for my family from the hip-hop community. For sure, gagawa pa tayo ng malulupit na mga movie after I finish my upcoming album,” said Abra.

Odette Khan of Bar Boys and Dido dela Paz of Respeto received the Best Supporting Actress and Best Supporting Actor awards, respectively. Arnel Barbarona of Tu Pug Imatuy, who was hailed as Best Director, dedicated the award to the Lumads of Mindanao.

Respeto star Abra accepts his first acting award

This year’s Natatanging Gawad Urian award went to musical director, composer, pianist and arranger Winston Raval of Vanishing Tribe. Raval handled the film scoring of Ikaw Ay Akin starring Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon in 1978, Jaguar starring Phillip Salvador in 1979 and Nora’s Himala in 1982, among others.

The winners were chosen by the Manunuri led by its president Rolando Tolentino together with Butch Francisco, Grace Javier Alfonso, Bienvenido Lumbera, Miguel Rapatan, Benilda Santos, Dr. Nicanor Tiongson, Tito Genova Valiente, Patrick Campos, Shirley Lua and Gary Devilles.

Odette Khan, Best Supporting Actress

Butch, Empoy Marquez and Alessandra de Rossi hosted the show.

Here’s the complete list of winners:

• Best Film — Balangiga: Howling Wilderness  

• Best Actor — Abra (Respeto)

Dido dela Paz, Best Supporting Actor

• Best Actress — Joanna Ampil (Ang Larawan)

• Best Supporting Actor — Dido Dela Paz (Respeto)

• Best Supporting Actress — Odette Khan (Bar Boys)

• Best Director — Arnel Barbarona (Tu Pug Imatuy)

Natatanging Gawad Urian awardee Winston Raval

• Best in Production Design — Gino Gonzalez (Ang Larawan)

• Best Sound — Corrine de San Jose (Respeto)

• Best Music — Khavn (Balangiga: Howling Wilderness)

• Best Short Film — Kiri Dalena (Gikan Sa Ngitngit Nga Kinaladman) (From the Dark Depths)

Arnel Barbarona receives his Best Director trophy

• Best Documentary — Victor Delotavo Tagaro and Toshihiko Uriu (Yield)

• Best Editing — Lawrence Ang (Respeto)

• Best Cinematography — Mycko David (Neomanila)

• Best Screenplay — Christopher Gozum (Dapol Tan Payawan Na Tayug 1931)