THE 53rd FAMAS Awards
‘Naglalayag’ top winner in FAMAS
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By MARIO E. BAUTISTA
AFTER several delays, the 53rd FAMAS Awards Night was finally held at the PICC on Sunday night. This was first scheduled in April, with them having ten nominations in each category, but they postponed it when ABS-CBN agreed to air its TV coverage. Since their running time was limited to three hours, they trimmed their number of nominations to only five each, so the many nominations of such films as “Anak Ka ng Tatay Mo” and “Spirit of the Glass” that they have already announced, were rescinded.
Imagine, it’s the middle of 2005 and it’s only now that they finally give honors to movies shown in 2004. It’s good we didn’t have any Manila Film Festival this June, or it could have given its own awards to them.
The movie that won the most number of awards in the Manila filmfest last year is actually the top winner in the FAMAS Awards, "Naglalayag" of Angora Films. Its director, Maryo de los Reyes, won as best director. He was also the FAMAS best director last year for "Magnifico." His winning augurs well for his new movie, "Happily Ever After," a trilogy that opens tomorrow.
"Naglalayag" is the May-December romance of a menopausal lady judge (Nora Aunor) and a much younger taxi driver (Yul Servo). It also won the trophies for best story for Irma Dimaranan, best editing for Jess Navarro, best cinematography for Odyssey Flores, best theme song for Rey Valera, and best supporting actress for Aleck Bovick. All these recipients were absent, including Aleck, who’s an obvious FAMAS favorite as this is her second trophy with them after her controversial best actress win for "Tampisaw."
Star Cinema, the film arm of ABS-CBN, was honored with several acting trophies. They got the very first awards of the evening for their movie, "Feng Shui." It won the best child actor and actress awards for John Manalo and Julianne Gomez, who played the roles of Kris Aquino’s terrified kids in the movie. Piolo Pascual and Claudine Barretto won best actor and best actress for their film, "Milan," where they played overseas workers in Italy.
The other winners are: best sound – Ramon Reyes for "Aicrape Imasu," best visual effects – Rolly Sto. Domingo for "Panaghoy sa Suba," best special effects – Fel Rodolfo for "Lastikman," best musical score – Jesse Lucas for "Mano Po 3," best production design – Joey Luna for "Aicrape Imasu," best screenplay – Cris Vertido for "Panaghoy sa Suba," and best supporting actor – Dennis Trillo for "Aicrape Imasu" (he won best actor in other award-giving bodies).
The FAMAS won’t be FAMAS without its countless special awards. So, for all its worth, here they are, if you’re interested: Flavio Macaso Memorial Award – Joe Lad Santos, Lou Salvador Award – Don Pepot, Dr. Jose Perez Award – Ronald Constantino, Lifetime Achievement Award – Pilita Corrales, Presidential Award – Ramon Revilla Sr., Huwarang Bituin Award – Dolphy, Circle of Excellence Award – Christopher de Leon, Mr. and Miss FAMAS Popularity – Richard Gutierrez and Angel Locsin (both are absent since they are shooting their new film, "I Will Always Love You"), Mr. and Miss FAMAS Screen Idol – Piolo Pascual and Bea Alonzo, Kuya Germs’ theatrical excellence award – Jon Joven (zino ziya?), Youth Achievement Award – Dennis Trillo and Angel Locsin, Pond’s Faces of the Night – Lani Mercado, Anne Curtis and, not to be missed since Pond’s commercial model, Claudine Barretto, and Golden Artist Award – Lea Salonga.
Since the night is meant to be a tribute to showbiz clans, all showbiz families who attended the awards night were also given their own awards. There was also a tribute for the late Fernando Poe, Jr., with Dolphy singing one of his favorite songs, "Kumusta Ka." His widow, Susan Roces, accepted the award with her niece, Sheryl Cruz.
The hosts that evening were Boy Abunda, Claudine and Lorna Tolentino. The opening number was rendered by ABS-CBN talents Vina Morales, Christian Bautista and Erik Santos. The fact that this is aired by ABS is evident even among the presentors that include even SCQ finds like Joross Gamboa, Roxanne Guinoo, Joseph Bitangcol, Rafael Martinez, and Michelle Madrigal.
And so, another awards-giving season has ended. The next awards will be given by the Entertainment Press, Inc. for their Golden Screen Awards for Television this coming September which, we heard, will be aired on GMA-7. The corrupt Philippine Movie Press Club, which never failed to cleanse its tainted name after their embarrassing awards scandal last March, is threatening to also hold their own Star Awards in October, even if their reputation remains badly blemished, to be aired by ABS-CBN.
