NORA Aunor admits that Jackie Chan is her idol. Courtesy of Catherine Cornell/ABS-CBN News
Before the closing rites of the second Asean International Film Festival and Awards (Aiffa) on Saturday night at Borneo Convention Center in Kuching, Sarawak, Filipino superstar Nora Aunor had one request: “I asked the liaison officer if I could get an autograph from Jackie Chan,” Aunor told the Inquirer.
The Hong Kong action hero was there to receive the Asean Inspiration Award; Aunor was given the Asean Lifetime Achievement Award. Renowned Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh, previous honoree, handed Aunor the trophy.
It was a glitzy gathering of the region’s movie luminaries.
Alas, the superstar/fan’s plan ran into a slight hitch. “When I was called onstage, Jackie was among the first to stand up,” she recalled. Chan remained standing, as did the rest of the well-heeled crowd, throughout Aunor’s two-minute speech in English and Filipino.
“As I was returning to my seat, Jackie approached and congratulated me,” she recounted. “I was so surprised and happy, I jumped and hugged him.” She didn’t get his autograph, but settled for the tight embrace.
Reunion with Yeoh
It was her second time to share the stage with Yeoh, Aunor related. “We met in Hong Kong in 2013 [at the Asian Film Awards], where I won best actress and she was the Lifetime Achievement honoree.” She giddily clinched snapshots with Yeoh as well.
At the Kuala Lumpur airport, on her way back to Manila on Sunday, Aunor met a Malaysian movie producer, who got her contact details, “for a possible project.”
FILIPINO stars spotted at Aiffa (from left): Mercedes Cabral, Allen Dizon, Cherie Gil and Piolo Pascual. Photo by Mammu Chua
Aunor is ecstatic about this latest honor. “When you love your work and share your gifts with others, God blesses you with more than you prayed for,” she said.
She’s just as thrilled about the four other Aiffa awards that the country won. The Philippines scored big, with Cherie Gil winning best actress for “Sonata”; Joseph Israel Laban, best director for “Nuwebe”; Benjamin Tolentino, best editing for “Bendor”; and Carlo Obispo, Asean Spirit Award for “Purok 7.”
Aunor, Laban and Obispo were honorees in past editions of the Inquirer Indie Bravo! Awards. Gil and Tolentino will join them in the annual tribute for artists who have won in foreign tilts.
This is Gil’s first international award and first best actress ever, after 45 years in the industry. “My previous trophies were for best supporting actress,” she told the Inquirer. “This is definitely very special. ‘Sonata’ is my baby.”
Lore Reyes, “Sonata” director, told the Inquirer: “She invested so much of herself in the role.” It was not just because she was also the producer. Reyes explained, “It was a labor of love, a passion project. It was often painful to watch her on the set. I think what made her performance heart-rending was … she knew at the time that she was losing her brother Ralph.”
For Mark
Actor Mark Gil, Ralph Eigenmann in real life, died of cancer last year. “This is for, and because of, him,” Cherie Gil said.
KRYSTLE Valentino traveled abroad for the first time with director Carlo Obispo. Courtesy of Carlo Obispo
“She had to go out of her depth and range to be recognized,” said Peque Gallaga, codirector. “We’ve put her in a box, stamped her as diva and contravida, ignoring that [as an artist] she is dealing honestly with her insecurities and vulnerabilities. Cherie doesn’t stand for something; she is something!”
The “Sonata” screenplay, the first by Peque’s son Wanggo Gallaga, was also nominated for an award.
Tolentino, 25, is also a first-time international winner. He could not attend the awards rites due to previous commitments. He told the Inquirer, “This is a sign that I am doing something right. Instead of aiming for fame, young filmmakers like myself should ask: What more can I contribute to Philippine cinema?”
Laban’s best director win was a stunner, he said, “But I’m grateful. That category was tough—and receiving the award in front of Nora Aunor, Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh was special.”
Obispo was similarly caught off guard by his award, a special honor given by organizers. “I thought all the awards had been announced.”
The Asean Spirit Award, he noted, is given to a film that exemplifies the region’s positive values. “I’m pleased because it pays tribute to our countrymen’s resilience and determination to remain upbeat in the face of tragedies.”
“Purok 7” is about the children of an overseas Filipino worker sentenced to die in a foreign land. Obispo attended the Aiffa rites with his lead actress, Krystle Valentino, who got to travel abroad for the first time. “Krystle was nominated for best actress, too, and she just turned 18. It was memorable for her … to be surrounded by talented artists.”
(bayanisandiegojr@gmail.com)