SUMMARY
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MANILA, Philippines – The Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (MPP), a society of film critics, recognized some of the finest work in Filipino cinema this year. On June 22, Wednesday, members of the local film industry gathered at the Kia Theater for the awards ceremony. (FULL LIST: Winners, Gawad Urian 2016)
Check out some photos from the evening:
John Lloyd Cruz and LJ Reyes took home the top acting honors for their work in Honor Thy Father and Anino sa Likod ng Buwan, respectively.
John Lloyd, who won for Honor Thy Father and was also nominated for A Second Chance, paid tribute to his castmates and some of the people behind the Erik Matti film in his speech.
“Hindi po ako naniniwala sa awards,” the actor said. “Pero naniniwala po ako na there’s more in hardwork, patience, perseverance and timing. Maraming salamat ho sa lahat ng Manunuri na bumubuo ng Gawad Urian for this exceptional award.
(I don’t believe in awards. But I believe that there’s more in hardwork, patience, perseverance and timing. Thank you to all members of the Manunuri of the Gawad Urian for this exceptional award.)
“This one [Honor Thy Father] gave me the opportunity to be enlightened by my own choices. This film taught me how to better understand and encourage my desires as an actor. This film taught me that it’s okay to be different,” he added.
“I also came here tonight as an actor to honor and celebrate my pure love for cinema.”
John Lloyd is coincidentally celebrating his birthday (June 24) soon, and he was even greeted a “Happy Birthday” by Butch Francisco as he went down the stage.
LJ, who won for Anino sa Likod ng Buwan, said she was still trying to take in the fact she had won an award.
“Kinalabit lang ako ni Pao [Paolo Contis] kanina eh. ‘Ah okay!'” LJ recounted to reporters after the awards ceremony. “Tapos habang naglalakad ako hindi ko alam nangyayari parang naglalakad ako pero parang l ang lahat.”
(Pao just touched me a while ako – ‘Ah okay!’ And then while I was walking towards the stage, I wasn’t aware of what was happening. It’s like I was walking, but everything was blurry.)
Brillante Mendoza’s Taklub took home the Best Film trophy this year. The award was accepted by Honeylyn Joy Alipio, the film’s screenwriter, on behalf of the director.
Bernardo Bernardo and Ana Abad Santos took home the trophies for their respective supporting roles in Imbisibol and Apocalypse Child.
Jerrold Tarog won Best Director for his historical blockbuster film, Heneral Luna.
Romy Vitug, a veteran cinematographer, was honored in this year’s awards ceremony with the Natatanging Gawad. He is known for his lens work in films like Mga Bilanggong Birhen, Kapag Langit ang Humatol, and Paradise Inn.
Maricel Soriano, the Diamond Star, presented Vitug’s award alongside Bienvenido Lumbera, National Artist for Literature.
Here are photos of the evening’s other winners:
Hosts and presenters
Iza Calzado, Zoren Legaspi, and MPP member Butch Francisco were the evening’s hosts.
The different awards were presented by actors such as Gladys Reyes, Martin del Rosario, Anthony Falcon, Luis Alandy, Bernardo Bernardo, Liza Diño, Angeli Bayni, RK Bagatsing, Tessie Tomas, Ana Abad Santos, Lou Veloso, Tirso Cruz III, and Allen Dizon – all alongside members of the MPP.
Performances
Morissette Amon and Jona Viray opened the festivities with a powerful rendition of Evanescence’s “Bring Me to Life.”
Midway through the ceremony, Daryl Ong and Sheryn Regis entertained the crowd with a ballad, “Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan.”
Red carpet
Stars were dressed up to the nines as they walked the red carpet at the Kia Theater foyer. Here are the ones we spotted:
– with reports from Alexa Villano and Paolo Abad/Rappler.com
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