Nora Aunor leads Gawad CCP awardees

NORA Aunor is glad that films introduced her to fans.

For superstar Nora Aunor, the best decision she had ever made was to become an actress.

Although the toughest times of her life had been caused by the profession she chose, Aunor is still thankful because it is in acting that she finds joy. She received her Gawad CCP Para sa Sining sa Pelikula at Sining Brodkast (Movies and Broadcast Arts) award last Sept. 17 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo.

RICKY Lee says writing is a painful, bloody process. Photos by Richard Reyes

Wearing an elegant white Filipiniana, Nora profusely thanked fans: “Sa pag-arte ko nakilala ang aking mga tagahanga.” (“I met my fans through acting.”)

As to how she wanted people to remember her, she simply said: “Kung sino ako.” (“As I am.”)

Gawad CCP awardee for literature, scriptwriter Ricardo “Ricky” Lee, meanwhile, said that every story written didn’t come out great at once.

According to him, part of the writing process is the painful editing of mistakes.

Wounded

“You should be wounded,” said Lee, comparing writing to a painful and bloody childbirth.

Gawad CCP awardee for culture Armida Siguion-Reyna was led up the stage in a wheelchair by her son, filmmaker Carlos Siguion-Reyna.

ACTOR and director Antonio “Tony” Mabesa joins stellar lineup of honorees.

ARMIDA Siguion-Reyna receives medal
from CCP head Emily Abrera, while son Carlos looks on.

“I don’t care if I lose money” as long as she loved the project or movie being done, said Siguion-Reyna, who produced movies and the long-running TV musical “Aawitan Kita.”

Before the awards were given, a short video presentation about each awardee was shown, after which a giant replica of the medal was lowered to the stage, accompanied by music from the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO).

Ghosts from the past

During the intermission, the PPO performed Ryan Cayabyab’s “Ilocandia” and “Alagad ng Sining” with Anna Fegi.

Fides Cuyugan-Asensio, Gawad CCP awardee for music, joked about seeing the ghosts of former colleagues who had already died each time she mentioned the name of a person she wanted to thank.

Other honorees

The other awardees are: Antonio Mabesa for theater; Paulo Alcazaren, architecture; Roberto Chabet, visual arts; Leoncio Deriada, literature; Ben Farrales, design; Basilio Villaruz, cultural research; Denisa Reyes, dance, and the Missionary Society of St. Columban and Talaandig School of Living Tradition, Tanging Parangal.