STAR …STARRY NIGHT
By Butch Macaro
Screenwriters’ Guild of the Philippines


For the first time in 23 years, I got the chance to attend the awards night of the Philippine Movie Press Club, the Star Awards for Movies, scheduled to start at 7:00 in the evening as announced in my favorite tabloid last March 23, 2007. As usual, it did not start on time.

I found to my dismay that an invitation is necessary to gain entrance at the University Theatre of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. Luck had it that my good friend Rey Gotingco suddenly appeared at the gate carrying a big bouquet of red roses neatly wrapped in cellophane complete with a big, red ribbon intended for Gina Pareño who was a nominee for Best Supporting Actress for her role as the of Judy Ann Santos (also nominated for Best Actress) for Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo. Rey had an extra invitation for me, only to find out late in the evening that invitations were distributed outside the venue to people who were not in anyway connected with show business. Some kibitzers outside the theatre were given invitations and were ushered into the theater apparently because there were few people in the audience to fill the whole place. I found this out when the nice male usher allowed me to take a peep at the stage. The last touches of decorating the stage was still going on, to think that it was past seven in the evening.

Rey Gotingco and I were the first to enter the theatre and occupied a row of seats several feet away from the stage. After half an hour and few sticks of cigarette I consumed outside the building, people begin to arrive. A while later, stars of different magnitude began to occupy the lower orchestra level as some people were scattered in the wide area.

I first noticed Nathan Lopez of the digital movie Ang Pagdadalaga Ni Maximo Oliveros as I was seated near the aisle and could easily see who the arriving stars. I failed to recognize. Sid Lucero, a nominee for New Movie Actor of the Year for Donsol, who was mobbed by fanatics. Among the early arrivals, I saw Pauleen Luna, Jiro Manio who has grown taller, Nash Aguas, Andrea del Rosario, Elaiza Pineda, Baron Geisler, John Arcilla with a lady escort, Assunta de Rossi, Allen Dizon and TJ Trinidad. Sam Milby came in followed by giggling fans, followed by German Moreno, Manay Ichu Maceda and Boots Anson Roa. I also failed to recognize Tracy Torres as she looked resplendent in her beige- colored gown together with Ed Alcantara. The came Ines Veneracion and Aubrey Miles with Troy Montero, Jenny Miller, Jeffrey Santos with a woman companion. Rey G. help ed me a lot in identifying most of the stars. Director Joey Reyes came in a few minutes before the show finally began few minutes past nine in the evening which ws a full two hours behind schedule.

Before the program began, I asked Sid Lucero who his mother is. Sid pointed to a beautiful woman seated next to him who turned out to be Bing Pimentel, a kababayan in Daet and daughter of our former congressman Marcial Pimentel. Mark Gil, Sid’s father, was one of the stars in my first movie screenplay Bedspacers for Regal Films. I chanced to meet Sid again outside the building as we both smoke and found out that his first movie was Donsol followed by Siquijor. Perhaps, given another chance, I wish to include Sid in the next movie I will write. I believe in his capacity as an actor and it would be a pleasure if I can work with him someday.

The opening salvo was a group of singers led by Jed Maddela, Aciele Santos, Gerard Santos and Frenchie Dee hosted by Jericho Rosales and Heart Evangelista in her blue gown together with Dingdong Dantes and Izza Calsado.

The first minor award was for the Movie Musical Scorer of the Year which was won by Vincent de Jesus for Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah of Regal Films; Albert Idioma had three nominations for Movie Sound Engineer of the Year and won the award for Ligalig of CM Productions. The Movie Cinematographer of the Year award was won by Charlie Peralta for Don’t Give Up On Us; the Movie Production Designer of the Year went to Egay Littaua for Zsa Zsa Zaturna; Manet Dayrit won the Movie Editor of the Year Award for Sukob of Star Cinema; The Child Performer of the Year was Tala Santos for Inang Yaya of Unitel Pictures; New Movie Actress of the Year was Kim Chui for First Day High of Star Cinema and Sam Milby won as New Movie Actor of the Year for You Are The One, also of Star Cinema.; Ogie Alcasid, the Darling of the Press awardee, also garnereed the trophy for Movie Theme Song of the Year for Sana Malaman Mo which was composed by Louie Ocampo and Ogie Alcasid and interpreted by Piolo Pascual.; The Male and Female Stars of the Night Award were Sam Milby and Kim Chui. The Ulirang Artista Award was given to German Moreno by Manay Ichu Maceda and Boots Anson Roa. Kuya Germs delivered a long message of thanksgiving as he cited all the people who helped him in his movie career, including the late Dr. Jose ‘Pingot’ Perez of Sampaguita Pictures. The Best Digital Movie Director Award went to Veronica Velasco and Pablo Biglang-Awa for Inang Yaya of Unitel Pictures which also won the Best Digital Movie Award of the Year. Ai Ai de las Alas did a production number ala- Madonna with a group of male dancers.

The Latest trophy received for Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo

Few minutes before the announcement of the major Awards, Gina Pareno texted Rey G that she was on her way to the venue. Ogie Alcasid and Jaya sang together for an intermission number before the major awards were announced. Aleen Dizon was Best Supporting Actor of the Year for Twilight Dancers as the aging macho dancer. Gina Pareno came just on time to receive her Movie Supporting Actress of the Year Award for her role as the loud mouthed mother of Judy Ann Santos for Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo.

And I think she willwin a grand slam this year, especially bcause she won three international acting awards in for her role in Kubrador. Piolo Pascual and Jericho Rosales tied for Movie Actor of the Year and Judy Ann Santos won the Movie Actress of the year for Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo, her third trophy for the same role. Juday failed to attend the awards night as she was at that time shooting for Isabel and her borther Jeffrey Santos received the trophy for her. Jose Javier Reyes won another trophy as Director, also for Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo.

Juday bested Nora Aunor who was nominated for Home Care, Andrea del Rosario for Rome and Juliet, Cherry Pie Picache for Kaleldo and Maricel Soriano for Inang Yaya.

The other nominees for Movie Actor of the Year were Ryan Agoncillo for Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo, John Arcilla for Compound; and Cesar Montano for Ligalig.

For Movie Supporting Actress of the Year, the other nominees were Pops Fernandez for Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah, Liza Lorena for Inang Yaya, Cherry Pie Picache for Twilight Dancers and Jodi Sta. Maria for You Are the One.

As part of his message as PMPC president, Fernan de Guzman said: “We thank the Filipino public for their endless support of Filipino movies. Their continued patronage in spite of the deluge of big-budgeted movies from countries all over the world is an indication that Philippine movies is once more picking up strength that foreshadows Renewed efforts to uplift is spirits and regain all lost glories. With this in mind and with our hope to reconstruct the industry, I am positive that the industry will once again be active and will come up with a highly competitive output vis-avis film production in the world. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.”