Coco Martin almost a superstar?

 +Nora Aunor receives lifetime achievement award

Colleague referred to award-winning actor Coco Martin as approaching superstar status. With the success he has attained as an actor, winning awards and getting recognized for his innate acting ability. His work in "Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin" earned him acting nominations - one from the PMPC Star Awards for TV (which will be given out on November 22 at the Resorts World Hotel) and from the Golden Screen Awards as Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Drama Series (to be given out on Nov. 29 at Teatrino Greenhills).

He also got two other nominations - Best Single Performance by an Actor from the PMPC and Outstanding Performance by An Actor from the Golden Screen Awards for his work in Maalaala Mo Kaya's "Silbato" episode.

"Ang sarap sa pakiramdam na sinasabi ninyo na I am close to being a superstar but I don't want to think about it because mas gusto ko to work, magtrabaho to improve my craft. I want to do better roles and I want to achieve more. Kung nirerespeto ako at na-appreciate ang ginagawa ko as an actor, gusto ko panindigan iyon at tumbasan iyon by doing my job even better," said Coco at the thanksgiving party that he hosted for the entertainment media held Tuesday at the Annabel's restaurant in Quezon City.

"Ang trabaho naman natin ay hindi natatapos sa isang soap lang o sa isang pelikula lang. It's a long process. I am looking forward to the day that I will achieve the stature of Christopher de Leon or Eddie Garcia who are both highly respected in our industry. Of course, I also would want to save for my future but my dream is really to reach such kind of stature and gain the respect of the people in the industry."

"Kaya lagi kong pinag-bubutihan ang bawat trabaho ko. I always focus at lagi kong nirerespeto ang mga tao, lalo na ang mga taong institution na sa industry. I idolize them so much and my dream is to reach their stature and be like them," he added.

He also took the occasion to thank the members of the PMPC and ENPRESS for the nominations that he got. "To be nominated for me is already like a bonus. To be recognized is already an honor. Yung mailagay roon ang pangalan ko is already a big achievement.. I know how hard it is to be chosen as a nominee. I know there are a lot of stars na pinagpipilian pero para mapansin at maging nominee, it's really a big honor," added Coco.

The actor is doing a movie titled "You Light Up My Life" with "Star Power" grand winner Angeline Quinto. Next year he fulfills another dream and that is to do a movie with Ms. Judy Ann Santos.

He is also doing another primetime teleserye entitled "Walang Hanggan" in which his new leading lady would be rising dramatic actress Julia Montes. "Walang Hanggan" boasts of a powerful cast of brilliant actors namely Susan Roces, Helen Gamboa, Richard Gomez, Rita Avila and Dawn Zulueta plus today's hot stars Joem Bascon, Paulo Avelino and Melissa Ricks.

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Nora Aunor was mobbed by her fans when she attended the Cinema One Originals awards night held on Sunday, November 13, at the Carlos P. Romulo Theater of the RCBC Plaza in Makati City.

Nora’s arrival at the theatre was met by shrieks and shouts of her fans who even carried banners and photos of the actress who was feted with a Lifetime Achievement Award by Cinema One Originals headed by Ronald Arguelles.

Nearly overshadowed by Nora’s presence was Direk Mario O’Hara who was just a few steps behind her. Direk Mario also received a lifetime achievement award.

Cinema One Originals prepared a wonderful footage to honor the superstar. They showed film clips of Nora’s memorable movies and among those who spoke to bestow accolade on her were Boy Abunda, German Moreno, her daughter Matet de Leon and Direk Joel Lamangan.

In her acceptance speech, Nora thanked all those who became a part of her storied career as an actress and she made special mention of esteemed directors Lino Brocka and Ismanel Bernal, two directors who helmed "Bona" and "Himala," two of her noted movies.

Although she first made a name as a singer, Nora’s career took a different turn when she started doing movies. Her decision to produce the award-winning film "Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos" brought her immense joy. She said she had no regrets producing movies because these film projects made her an actress.

She is set to undergo surgery next year with the hope of restoring her voice which she lost after a botched up surgery. If the operation becomes successful and she regains her voice, she promises to do a comeback concert.

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After more than 30 years in the industry, "veteran" extra Lilia Cuntapay is now a best actress awardee. She was named best actress in Cinema One Originals for the movie "Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay," which won a total of six awards, including Audience Choice Award. She tied with Maricar Reyes who also won the best actress award for the movie "Anatomiya ng Korupsiyon."

In fairness, Aling Lilia felt like a star. The attention given her was fabulous. Each time her name was called, the audience would break into thunderous applause.

Here are the winners:

Best Picture – Ka Oryang; Best Director – Sari Dalena for Ka Oryang, Best Screenplay – Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay, Best Actor – Bong Cabrera for Sa Ilalim ng Tulay, Best Actress – Maricar Reyes (Anatomiya ng Korupsiyon) and Lilia, Best Supporting Actor – Michael Bonapos for Sa Ilalim ng Tulay at Jojit Lorenzo (Anatomiya ng Korupsiyon), Best Supporting Actress – Geraldine Villareal for Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay, Best Cinematography – Ka Oryang, Best Production Design – My Paranormal Romance, Best Editing – Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay, Paranormal Romance, Best Musical Score: Ka Oryang and Sa Ilalim ng Tulay.

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Edgar Allan Guzman has a lot of things to be thankful for as he celebrates his 22nd birthday. Aside from his back-to-back trophies as best actor in his Cinemalaya entry "Ligo Na U, Lapit Na Me" and being part of "Sakto" - Star Awards Best Recording Group, he is currently doing two films - "Shake, Rattle & Roll 14: Lunod" under Regal Films directed by Chris Martinez starring Eugene Domingo and "What Matters Most" under Star Cinema directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina, starring John Lloyd Cruz and Angel Locsin. He also has two new endorsements and two regular tv shows "Lokomoko" and "Hey It's Saberdey."

For his birthday, he will be the featured lead actor along with Alex Gonzaga in a special episode of Regal Shocker directed by Rahyan Carlos. It will be aired on Nov 19, Saturday on TV5.

Still on the eve going to his birthday, Edgar shall topbill a birthday gig along with his Indie Bro, JM de Guzman with guests Melai and Jason of Pinoy Big Brother, Suy and a lot of special surprise guests. It will be at Zirkoh Morato on Nov. 19 at 10pm.

Such great blessings that deserve only the best performances and yes, gratitude. Truly, it's Edgar Allan's time to shine both as an actor and as a live performer. His Regal Shocker stint and Indie Bro gig are good ways to say thank you to all the people who have supported his very memorable 5th anniversary celebration in showbusiness.