|
By Prof Ed H. Pangilinan
|
 |
|
PICACHE:
It’s her year. |
The awarding ceremony of the
Gawad Tanglaw at the Carlos Palanca Auditorium of the University of
Perpetual Help-Las Piñas last weekend officially signaled the start
of the 2008 awards season for cinema excellence.
Cherry Pie Picache capped the
best lead actress award for her performance in the film Foster
Child, beating the likes of Jaclyn Jose and Irma Adlawan. Picache,
who came in a chocolate brown ensemble, dedicated her award to the
real-life foster parents who inspired the making of the film.
“This is for them, who despite the meager income they get, make
life meaningful for the children under their care, preparing them
for a better life ahead.”
Critics have predicted that
Picache will be the actress to beat in this year’s awards season.
Last year, Picache’s take on the lesbian character in the film
Kaleldo was outstanding, but she lost to Gina Pareño (Kubrador) in
all the award-giving bodies. Picache has already won the Durban
International Film festival best actress trophy for the same film
and is expected to win the Urian, Golden Screen and Star Awards in
the coming months.
Sid Lucero was declared best
actor for his tour-de-force performance in Selda, where he gave life
to the role of a young prisoner who discovered a different kind of
love in the arms of a veteran inmate. When his name was announced,
the audience gave him a thunderous applause, and the female students
were shrieking in unison.
Lucero, who came with his
actress-mother Bing Pimentel, couldn’t contain his joy. “I am
just so happy. This award means a lot to a newcomer like me, and it
will serve as an inspiration for me to improve on this craft that I
was born into, a profession that I love so dearly.” Lucero is a
third-generation actor, the grandson of Eddie Mesa and Rosemarie
Gil. He is the son of multi-awarded actor Mark Gil.
Lucero’s uncle Michael de Mesa
tied with Emilio Garcia for the best supporting actor award, both
for the film Selda. It’s Garcia’s first acting award and he
feels great to be recognized. “I’ve always dreamt of an acting
award. I am glad that it has finally come true,” muses Garcia, who
thought that he would be receiving a trophy instead of a medal.
Perhaps due to economic reasons, the academicians who comprise the
jury for the Gawad Tanglaw decided to give out medals instead of the
usual trophy they’ve been giving out for the last five years.
No doubt that Eugene Domingo was
the brightest star of the proceedings. For the first time in the
history of award-giving bodies, an actress tied with herself.
Domingo was a double winner in the best supporting actress category
for her equally felt performances in Brillante Mendoza’s Foster
Child and Auraeus Solitos’ Pisay.
She dedicated her award to the
members of the academe who continue to prove that there is dignity
in being a teacher. “Ginampanan ko po sa pelikulang ‘Pisay’
ang papel ng isang gurong may dignidad, isang gurong hindi
kailangang magtinda ng tusino sa kanyang mga estudyante.”
Domingo was also brilliant as a
social worker in the independent film Foster Child. “I may be a
commercial actress, since you see me in teleseryes, but sometimes it
is also healthy to be fearlessly independent,” she ended her
acceptance speech.
It was perfect that she was to
receive two medals for this rare feat, because the first glass-medal
accidentally dropped and shattered into pieces. “Buti na lang
mayroon pang isa,” she joked, to which Dr. Jaime Ang, the chairman
of the Gawad Tanglaw, quipped, “Papalitan namin agad iyan.”
Foster Child also won best film
and best director for Brillante Mendoza. Selda won best editing for
Paolo Villaluna and best cinematography for Oddysey Flores. Jesse
Lucas won for his hauntingly beautiful original music score for the
film Batanes.
|
