No drag: Levity and selfies at indie awards

CCP’S Chris Millado presents trophy to best actress Nora Aunor.

In spite of one huge dark cloud—widespread protests against the YouTube uploading of past films—a buoyant indie weather prevailed on Sunday evening throughout the Cinemalaya awards rites at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

The show must go on. A group of short-film directors couldn’t resist taking selfies onstage. Neither did the winners. Eula Valdes, best actress in the New Breed section, snapped a souvenir shot with her counterpart in the Directors’ Showcase, Nora Aunor.

Valdes was happy that she attended the ceremony. Whether she won or lost, she meant to congratulate the victors. As a bonus, “I got lots of selfies with La Aunor.”

Moments of levity diffused the tension. Miscues and missteps offered presenters  numerous opportunities to joke around.

KIDLAT Tahimik (right) gives his own Bamboo Camera award to Cinemalaya’s Nes Jardin.

Nathan Lopez addressed copresenter Angel Aquino by a different name. “I get that a lot,” Aquino said in stride. “Good thing, Angel Locsin is sexy and beautiful.”

Waiting for the TelePrompTer to scroll up, Bembol Roco poked fun at the machine’s slowness: “Te … le  … Promp …  Ter.”

Joey Paras thought the envelope with the name of the winner was still backstage; in fact, he was holding it. Copresenter Julia Clarete had a blast ribbing Paras for that.

ARNOLD Reyes says he wanted to rehearse his lines, but didn’t get the script early enough.

Another presenter, Racquel Villavicencio, went backstage mid-spiel, to fetch the result.

Arnold Reyes fumbled his lines, prompting him to quip: “I asked for the script in advance so I could study it.”

Barbie Forteza, best supporting actress in the New Breed section for “Mariquina,” jested, “I was aiming only for best hair and makeup.”

Another surprised winner was Cris Villonco, best supporting actress in the Directors’ Showcase section for “Hari ng Tondo.” “I am still in shock,” Villonco told the Inquirer after the ceremony.

A special citation for best ensemble was given to the youthful cast of “#Y.” Only the names of Elmo Magalona, Sophie Albert, Coleen Garcia and Kit Thompson were called out. Left out were Chynna Ortaleza and Slater Young, who were also cited, according to jury member Jose Javier Reyes.

SHORTS FILMMAKERS’ SELFIE (From left, back row) Toph Nazareno, Sari Estrada, Paolo O’Hara and David R. Corpuz; (from left, front row) Chloe Anne Veloso, Joris Fernandez, Kevin Ang, JE Tiglao and Lendz Barinque (representing Eden Villarba) Photo courtesy of Joris Fernandez

Director Gino M. Santos said Garcia couldn’t get into the CCP Main Theater, which was packed with fans. Aunor sat on the steps with scriptwriter Ricky Lee and friend Glenda Kennedy.

Last year’s best actor Mimi Juareza read a spiel welcoming an unseen copresenter. Apparently, the script was not revised after the guest failed to show up.

EULA Valdes is happy she took lots of selfies. Photos by Richard Reyes

Juareza remained unperturbed, and got to fulfill a cherished dream: In a delicate white dress, he had a photograph taken with Aunor, who was in a black tux by Nono Palmos.

That’s right, the show was hardly a drag.

After the show, Aunor loosened up her necktie and collar and quipped, “I wish I had brought a T-shirt.”

Definitely a showstopper was Gawad Balanghai recipient and pioneering indie filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik who shucked off his graduation toga, to reveal his trademark G-string.