THE 1993 METRO MANILA FILM FESTIVAL: AGA MUHLACH WINS ANEW; "KUNG MAWAWALA KA PA" BEST PICTURE

Reyna Films' Kung Mawawala Ka Pa and Star Cinema's May Minanahal shared top honors in the 1993 Metro Manila Film Festival. Kung Mawawala Ka Pa was awarded Best Picture and received 7 other awards--- Best Actress (Dawn Zulueta); Best Supporting Actress (Amy Austria); Best Child Performer (Sarah Jane Abad); Best Musical Score (Ryan Cayabyab); Best Original Song; Best Sound (Ramon Reyes) and Best Cinematography (Romy Vitug).

May Minanahal won 9 awards--- Best Actor (Aga Muhlach); Best Supporting Actor (Ronaldo Valdez); Best Director, Best Story and Best Screenplay (Jose Javier Reyes); Best Production Design (Benjie de Guzman); Best Float, Second Best Picture and the coveted Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Memorial Award.

Other awardees--- Best Editing (Augusto Salvador/ Doring Dorobo); Best Visual Effects (Bobby Pineda/ Doring Dorobo) and Best Make-up Artist (Teresita Dominguez/ Gaano Kita Kamahal) and Doring Dorobo for third Best Picture.

"Kung Mawawala Ka Pa" (1993)- Stars Christopher de Leon, Daw Zulueta, Sarah Jane Abad, Amy Austria, Pilar Pilapil/ Directed by Jose Mari Avellana


"May Minamahal" (1993)- Stars Aga Muhlach, Aiko Melendez, Boots Anson Roa, Ronaldo Valdez, Aljon Jimenez, John Estrada, Agot Isidro, Liza Lorena, Marita Zonbel, Nikka Valencia And Claudine Barretto/ Directed by Jose Javier Reyes


"Inay" (1993)- Stars Nora Aunor, Tirso Cruz III, Chanda Romero, Tommy Abuel, Tita Munoz, Orestes Ojeda, Caridad Sanchez, Louella de Cordova, Carol Dauden and Jaclyn Jose & Melanie Marquez/Directed by Artemio Marquez


"Doring Dorobo: Hagupit ng Batas" (1993)- Stars Eddie Garcia, Eddie Gutierrez, Boots Anson-Roa and Sharmaine Arnaiz/ with Paquito Diaz, Re 'PJ' Abellana, Ali Sotto, Dick Israel, Vivian Foz/ Directed by Augusto Salvador


"Gaano Kita Kamahal" (1993)- Stars Christopher de Leon, Lorna Tolentino, Tirso Cruz III, Daniel Fernando, Juan Rodrigo, Marita Zobel, Sylvia Sanchez, Ali Sotto/Directed by Butch Perez

"Pusoy Dos" 91993)- Stars Janno Gibbs, Dennis Padilla, Gelli de Belen, Leo Martinez, Mat Ranillo III, Jackie Aquino/ Introducing Dindi Gallardo/ Directed by Jun Aristorenas

THE 1992 METRO MANILA FILM FESTIVAL: AGA MUHLACH TOPS AWARDS; "ANDRES MANAMBIT" BEST PICTURE

Screen hearthrob and matinee idol Aga Muhlach copped his first major award by winning the Best Actor trophy for the movie, Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal. The movie also won three other awards--- Best Supporting Actor (Ariel Rivera); Best Musical Score (Dionisio Buencamino) and Best Original Theme Song (Alex Mallillin).

Viva Films’ Andres Manambit: Angkan ng Matatapang was adjudged the festival’s Best Picture. It also received four other awards--- Best Director and Best Editing (Ike Jarlego, Jr.); Best Sound Recording (Rolly Ruta) and Best Original Story (Humilde ‘Meek’ Roxas).

Other awardees--- Best Actress (Gina Alajar/ Shake, Rattle, Roll 4); Best Supporting Actress (Sylvia Sanchez/ Takbo, Talon, Tili); Best Child Performer ( I.C. Mendoza/ SRR 4); Best Screenplay (Ricky Lee and Jose Bartolone/ Takbo…); Best Cinematography (Arnold Alvaro and Ramon Marcelino/Takbo…); Best Production Design (Don Escudero/ SRR 4); Best Visual Effects (Tony Marbella/ Okay Ka, Fairy Ko 2); Best Make-up Artist (Andrea Manahan/ SRR 4); Second Best Picture (Takbo…); Third Best Picture (Engkanto); Best Float (Okay Ka…) and the Gatpuno Antonio Villegas Cultural Award (Okay Ka…)

Philippine Daily Inquirer/ December 30, 1992
click image to enlarge

"Andres Manambit: Angkan ng Matatapang" (1992)- Stars Eddie Garcia, Eddie Gutierrez, Pinky de Leon, Kier Legaspi, Joko Diaz, Mia Pratts, Ramon Christopher/ Directed by Ike Jarlego, Jr.

"Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal" (1992)- Stars Aga Muhlach, Ariel Rivera and Lea Salonga/ Directed by Jose Javier Reyes


"Engkanto" (1992)- Stars Janice de Belen, Francis Magalona, Raul Zaragosa, Maila Gumila, Emon Ramos, Apple Pie Bautista, Suisan Lozada, Cita Astals and Roderick Paulate/ Directed by Tata Esteban


"Okay Ka, Fairy Ko, Part 2" (1992)- Stars Vic Sotto, Aiza Seguerra, Tweetie de Leon, Techie Agbayani, Ruby Rodriguez, Jinky Oda, Bayani Casimiro, Jr. and Miss Charito Solis/ Directed by Tony Reyes

Shake, Rattle & Roll 4 (1992)/ Three Episodes/ Directed by Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes

Episode 1: “Guro”- Cast- Manilyn Reynes, Edu Manzano, Sunshine Cruz, Aljon Jimenez and Nida Blanca
Episode 2: “Kapitbahay”- Cast- Aiza Seguerra as Nikki, Janice de Belen as Yaya Tising, Al Tantay and Lady Lee
Episode 3: “Madre”- Cast- Gina Alajar, Aiko Melendez, Miguel Rodriguez, Ai Ai Delas Alas, IC Mendoza, Bella Flores, Lilia Cuntapay

Takbo Talon Tili (1992)- Stars Rene Requiestas, Rita Avila, Raymond & Richard Gutierrez and Sheryl Cruz & Romnick Sarmenta/ Directed by Efren Jarlego

RARE FIND: "THE URIAN ANTHOLOGY 1970-1979" BOOK

I have been searching for this book for so long and I’m glad I finally found it. The URIAN Anthology 1970-1979, edited and introduced by Nicanor Tiongson, was launched and released in 1983 with Manuel Morato as the publisher. Featured are selected essays and innovation of the 1970s by the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino, with about 550 photos and illustrations and a filmography of Philippine movies, from 1970-1979.

I bought the book in one of the antique shops in Quezon City. I just asked the shop owner in passing if he was selling any books on Philippine movies. He showed me a couple of art books, history books, old magazines and Urian. “How much?” I asked him of the Urian book. “P1, 500,” he said. I readily paid for it after some haggling to lower the price. Not bad for a rare find. Except for some creases, the book is in fine condition with no tear or missing pages. A delight for film lovers like us owning a copy, considered by many as ‘endangered specie’ because of its rarity.

The Urian Anthology 1970-1979

"THE URIAN ANTHOLOGY 1990-1999" BOOK LAUNCH/ SEPT. 15 (2010)

The Urian Anthology 1990-1999, the third Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino compilation, was launched yesterday, September 15 (2010) at Balay Kalinaw, UP Diliman. The book, introduced, compiled and edited by Nicanor Tiongson, consists of 562 pages with more than 500 photographs. The launch price is P2,600 and it will be available soon in major bookstores at P3,250. The event was attended by showbiz personalities and celebrities, critics, fans and film aficionados. Seen were National Artists Bienvendo Lumbera and Eddie Romero, Armida Siguoun-Reyna, Bibeth Orteza, actors Joel Torre, Ricky Davao and Richard Gomez, directors Gil Portes, Maryo J. delos Reyes, Brilliante Mendoza, Adolf Alix, Jr. and Joel Lamangan, among others.

The venue- Balay Kalinaw, UP Diliman


Nicanor Tiongson signing the book

Me with Nic Tiongson

Filmmakers Gil Portes and Joel Lamangan


Director Gil Portes signing the book


Me and Direk Portes






Director Joel Lamangan signing the book


Me and Direk Lamangan






Joel Torre reenacting a scene from the book-
photo courtesy of Nestor de Guzman
Visit his Facebook Account
Pages from the book---

DANNY ZIALCITA'S "MASQUERADE" FILM SCREENING AT THE CCP, SEPT. 11 (2010)

Director Danny Zialcita and actress Liberty Ilagan graced the film screening of their 1967 movie “Masquerade” at the Tanghalang Manuel Conde (Dream Theater) at the Cultural Center of the Philippines last Saturday afternoon, September 11. The two celebrities shared light moments during an open forum after the screening. Despite a slurred and garbled speech, Direk Zialcita humorously and jokingly answered questions and was quite candid in saying that the movie just shown was short of rubbish “…naiinis ako…matutulog sana ako, nagising ako,” then a burst of laughter from the audience.

“Masquerade” tells of eleven strangers (eight men and three women) with questionable past, invited to a masquerade ball by a certain Mr. X in an isolated mansion in an island. One by one, the guests were brutally killed. A touch of Agatha Christie thriller, Zialcita later confided.

Tanghalang Manuel Conde, CCP


Director Danny Zialcita with Teddy Co


Direk Zialcita with actress Liberty Ilagan

Danny sharing some funny anecdotes, while Liberty having a big laugh.

Now, it's Liberty's turn---


Zialcita scanning some photos from Cesar Hernando's collection while Monchito Nocon looks on


Zialcita, Ilagan with guests

l-r (Monchito Nocon, Cesar Hernando, Ilagan, Zialcita, Clodualdo del Mundo,Jr.,Vicky Belarmino, Teddy Co, Erwin Romulo)

Photos by Simon Santos

Film enthusiast Dino Manrique uploaded two video clips which he took during the open forum. Though the video is dark, the audio is clear and audible enough and one could feel the humor and witticism of Director Zialcita. Here's the link---
Danny Zialcita Explains Why He Doesn't Give His Actors a Script
Danny Zialcita on Sharon & Gabby, and Why 'Mega' Star