John Lloyd Cruz, LJ Reyes win big at 39th Gawad Urian

It was a night of first time winners at the 39th Gawad Urian held at the Kia Theater on Wednesday and aired over Cinema One. It was also a night of surprises as the Manunuri has been known for.

John Lloyd Cruz and LJ Reyes won the top acting honors. Both of them are first time winners at the Gawad Urian.

John Lloyd won for his performance as a father trying to save his family in the action-drama “Honor Thy Father.” The Erik Matti film, which was an entry at the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival stirred controversy that lead to changes in the film festival rules.

While John Lloyd failed to win the nod of the festival jurors last December, the Manunuris voted for the Kapamilya star as Best Actor. John Lloyd, who had twin nominations, was also cited by the critics’ group for his work in the rom-com movie “A Second Chance.”

John Lloyd won over fellow nominees John Arcilla (“Heneral Luna”), Ricky Davao (“Dayang Asu”), Jericho Rosales (“Walang Forever”), Dennis Trillo (“Felix Manalo”), Sid Lucero (“Apocalypse Child”) Jun Jun Quintana (“Water Lemon”), Luis Alandy (“Anino sa Likod ng Buwan”), Anthony Falcon (“Anino sa Likod ng Buwan”), Francisco Guinto (“Ari: My Life with a King”) and Lou Veloso (“Da Dog Show”).

John Lloyd said he didn’t expect to win and thought it was John Arcilla of “Heneral Luna” who was favored in his category.

LJ, who was escorted at the awards night by rumored boyfriend Paolo Contis, won her first Best Actress award for the political drama “Anino sa Likod ng Buwan” directed by Jun Lana.

The Kapuso talent said she didn’t know how to react when her name was called as the winner. “Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala,” said the newly-minted Urian best actress in an interview right after the awards rites. LJ said that she was pleased with her victory and even thanked her director who was absent at the awards night even if “Anino Sa Likod ng Buwan” picked up quite a number of nominations including Best Picture.

LJ had a falling out with her director after she failed to attend two local festivals where the said movie participated last year. It was also after doing the film that LJ decided to become a Christian. While she did agree to do the sexy scenes, LJ said that was the last time that she will do daring scenes in a movie.

LJ topped the category which included nominees Nora Aunor (“Taklub’), Annika Dolonius (“Apocalypse Child”), Angeli Bayani (“Iisa”), Alessandra De Rossi (“Bambanti”), Ces Quesada (“Imbisibol”), Jennylyn Mercado (“Walang Forever”) and Mercedes Cabral (“Da Dog Show”).

“Taklub,” which chronicles the plight of Filipinos whose lives were affected by typhoon Yolanda was named Best Film, sending shockwaves during the awards night. The Brillante Mendoza film starring Nora Aunor was nominated in all categories but didn’t win in the technical categories. So it was a shocker that it bagged the biggest prize of them all—the Best Picture trophy. It was, for us, the biggest surprise of the night.

“Taklub” was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival.

We thought it was the highly touted period epic “Heneral Luna” that would win the Best Picture award. It won Best Director and Best Editor awards for Jerrold Tarog, as well as the award for Best Sound for Mikko Quizon. But the Manunuris believed otherwise.

The best screenplay trophy was won by Robby Tantingco for “Ari: My Life with a King.” For the same film, Jake Abella bagged the best sound honor.

Bernardo Bernardo bagged the best supporting actor award for his performance in the Law Fajardo film “Imbisibol.” Bernardo was previously an Urian best actor winner for “City After Dark” directed by the late National Artist for film Ishmael Bernal.

Bernardo said he waited 36 years to finally bring home his own Urian trophy. “It’s never too late. Senior citizens are still the priority,” he said, referring to the practice of letting senior citizens get ahead of long queues. He dedicated the award to overseas Filipino workers “who are considered our modern-day heroes.”

Anna Abad Santos was named best supporting actress for her role in “Apocalypse Child” directed by Mario Cornejo.

Ben Payumo, who was nominated thrice for best production designer, finally bagged a trophy for “Water Lemon” directed by Lem Lorca.

“Wawa” by Angelie Mae Macalanda is this year’s winner for the best short film award.

Sheron Dayoc’s “The Crescent Rising” bagged the best documentary trophy.

Cinematographer Romy Vitug is the recipient of this year’s Natatanging Gawad Urian. The award was presented to him by Diamond Star Ms. Maricel Soriano and Manunuri member and National Artist for Literature Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera.

Performers at the ceremony were Jonah, Morissette, Sheryn Regis and Daryl Ong.

The 39th Gawad Urian was hosted by Iza Calzado, Zoren Legaspi and Manunuri member Butch Francisco.