Glitz, gaiety, Guy at the AFA

NORA Aunor shows off heavy trophy and now-famous sneakers. facebook photos

Even if they were having problems with their roaming cell phone service, Filipino filmmakers Senedy Que, Jun Robles Lana, Chris Martinez and

JURY head Andy Lau (right) makes sure he has a snapshot with Eddie Garcia.

Alemberg Ang flooded Facebook and Twitter with updates on the 7th Asian Film Awards held in Hong Kong on Monday night.

Thanks to these intrepid indie directors, the Inquirer and the rest of cyberspace found out—in real time—the country’s “historic” triple triumphs in the much-coveted awards tilt, often touted as the region’s Oscars: a best actress win for Nora Aunor and a double whammy (best actor and people’s choice favorite actor) for Eddie Garcia.

With every tweet and FB comment, the Filipino filmmakers in HK out-ed themselves as certified fans of these two “national treasures.”

Martinez asserted that Aunor and Garcia clearly deserved a ticker-tape parade upon their return. (A grand welcome would’ve to wait because Aunor arrived on Tuesday, while Garcia decided to extend his stay.)

REUNITED Best actress gets a buss from best actor, who directed her in the 1978 film “Atsay.” AP

Aunor and Garcia charmed the stellar audience, including A-listers Andy Lau and Michelle Yeoh, said Que.

Lau was the first to rise to his feet and clap after Garcia won favorite actor, related Que. Lau made it a point to have a photo taken with “Ate Guy” (as Aunor is called by fans), recounted TV 5 exec

Perci Intalan.

WINNERS with jurors, Tokyo fest rep Kenji Ishizaka (second from left) and Cinema One’s Ronald Arguelles FACEBOOK PHOTO

Last year’s best actor Donny Damara (of Indonesia), who won for “Lovely Man,” also posed for snapshots with Aunor, Garcia and Eugene Domingo who was a presenter. So did Tokyo film fest rep and jury member Kenji Ishizaka.

CHRIS Martinez helps himself to the bubbly. FACEBOOK PHOTO

Clad in a Maxie Cinco gown, Domingo, who won favorite actress last year (Lau was the favorite actor), said the mood at the Grand Hall of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center was electric.

It was a glamorous red-carpet event, said Domingo. Female delegates were dolled up by beauty experts provided by AFA organizers.

LAST year’s best actor Donny Damara and Eugene Domingo .facebook photo

CHAMPAGNE fountain on the red carpet PHOTO COURTESY OF SENEDY QUE

“Our official makeup was Nars,” said Domingo. Aunor said she did her own makeup.

Aunor wore sneakers under her Filipiniana dress by Nono Palmos because her feet were killing her.

It was a heady evening—Moët & Chandon champagne overflowed at the victory party held at the View 62 of the Hopewell Center, Que recalled.