Golden gab fest

MARC Justine Alvarez wins breakthrough performance by an actor.

True to form, the 11th year of the Entertainment Press Society’s Golden Screen Awards for Movies took place on Saturday at Teatrino in Greenhills, San Juan City, without much fanfare.

But still, guests had a cracking good time at the event, which turned out to be an awards show, a comedy bar act and a gab fest all rolled into one.

As in the previous year, John “Sweet” Lapus had the crowd in stitches with every punch line he dished out and gaudy costume he slipped into. Instead of the customary thank-you speeches, winners were interviewed by Sweet—on topics that could be classified for General Patronage and R-18.

Albert Michael Idioma, winner for best sound design for “Ano ang Kulay ng mga Nakalimutang Pangarap,” received nominations in the same category for three other indie films: “Sonata,” “Badil” and “Dance of the Steel Bars.”

Fittingly, Sweet’s first question to Idioma was, “So, how does it feel to go up against yourself? Did your other ‘selves’ feel bad they lost?”

With indie film “Transit” winning nine awards, filmmaker Hannah Espia found herself shuttling back and forth from her seat to the stage. “You should be the trophy girl,” the comedian

RUSTICA Carpio, best actress, Drama

told Hannah, who won awards for best director and best editor, along with Benjamin Tolentino.

“Transit” producer Paul Soriano, who accepted the award for best motion picture, drama, was quizzed about his love life—specifically, why he had not proposed to girlfriend of seven years Toni Gonzaga.

The producer later told reporters that he was glad that “Transit” was still being recognized here and abroad. “It’s traveling around the world and is bound for Turkey, Vancouver (Canada) and New York (United States) soon,” he said.

At one point, Sweet changed into a dress so short it threatened to expose what should remain hidden.

Surprises

PAUL Soriano is the producer of the best film winner, “Transit

Joel Torre, who won best actor, drama for “On the Job,” could only laugh, telling Sweet, “Sexy mo, ah.”

“I still get surprised whenever I get nominated or win an acting award,” the actor said. “The indie scene is picking up and I hope we attract a bigger audience.”

Rustica Carpio (“Ano Ang Kulay”) tied with Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos (“Ekstra”), who did not attend the ceremonies, for best actress, drama.

“I didn’t expect to win; I’m very excited. I owe this award to the moviegoers and I hope they don’t tire of watching our films,” said the veteran actress who turned 84 in August.

She added that she could accept more projects because she was only teaching (theater) part-time at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. “I’m doing a guest role in GMA 7’s ‘Hiram na Alaala,’” she said.

Other winners:

• Best visual/special effects: David Yu, Miguel Javier (“On the Job”)
  

  HOST John Lapus, in one of his several costume changes

• Best original song: “Di Ako Titigil” (“Burgos”)

• Best musical score: Mon Espia (“Transit”)

• Best production design: Tessa Tang (“Transit”)

• Best cinematography: Lyle Sacris, Ber Cruz (“Transit”)

• Best original story: Erik Matti (“On the Job”)

• Best original screenplay: Giancarlo Abrahan, Hannah Espia (“Transit”)

• Breakthrough performance by an actor: Marc Justine Alvarez (“Transit”)

• Breakthrough performance by an actress: Jasmine Curtis-Smith (“Transit”)
  

  HOST John Lapus, in one of his several costume changes

• Best supporting actor: Joey Paras (“Dance of the Steel Bars”)

• Best supporting actress: Angel Aquino (“Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita”)

• Best actor, musical/comedy: John Lloyd Cruz (“It Takes a Man and a Woman”)

• Best actress, musical/comedy: Sarah Geronimo (“It Takes a Man and a Woman”)

• Best motion picture, musical/comedy: “It Takes a Man and a Woman”

• Gawad Lino Brocka Lifetime Achievement Award: Susan Roces

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Photos by Kimberly de la Cruz