La Aunor early contender in filmfest, but ‘Angels’ believe in miracles

Nora Aunor has established herself as a frontrunner in the best actress race in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

Her portrayal of a Tausog midwife in “Thy Womb” had earned La Aunor international acclaim even before the movie made it to the MMFF as a last-minute replacement for “Mga Kwento Ni Lola Basyang”. Nora has just received the best actress plum at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards and the critics’ choice award at the Venice Film Festival.

Last week, Thy Womb earned a grade of A from the Cinema Evaluation Board.

The film is set in Tawi-Tawi in a typical Tausog seaside village built on stilts. Nora’s character, Shaleha, makes a living catching fish and weaving mats in-between her task as the community comadrona. She keeps the umbilical cords of the babies and hangs them in her room. There is a stark irony to her collection; she helps give birth, but she herself cannot bear a child. She is barren and too old. This gives rise to an understated pressure for her husband Bangas-an (Bembol Roco) who believes he will not be a complete man until he has an offspring.

Shaleha realizes this and helps Bangas-an look for a second wife, one that could bear him a child. The couple goes to a matchmaker who, after a long search, reports that a family is offering a daughter in marriage.

The problem is that the dowry for Mersila (Lovi Poe) is P150,000, something Shaleha and Bangas-an could not afford for the moment. So they sell their banca’s engine and solicit from friends. The amount is raised and the marriage is arranged. But there is a string attached. Mersila makes one pre-nuptial request to Bangas-an that will stir his relationship with Shaleha.

Nora delivers a rock-solid performance as a dutiful wife who must atone for the emptiness of her womb by finding someone who can bear her husband’s child. She fleshes out her character not only through dialogue but through the small nuances like the expression of the eyes.

One critic noted that La Aunor’s performance in “Thy Womb” is “Himala all over again.”

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Speaking of the Metro Manila Filmfest, Ruel Bayani, who directed the Star Cinema entry “One More Try” believes that the film’s two “Angels”, Angel Locsin and Angelica Panganiban, have a good chance against Nora for the best actress award.

Direk Ruel says he has motivated the two Angels enough. “People say that the two actresses don’t stand a chance against an institution. I told (Angel and Angelica) to bring their A game. Ate Guy won’t be shedding her clothes in her movie. There are no slapping scenes. So bring it on!”

Angelica agrees that she and Angel can win the award. “We believe in himala (miracles),” she jokes.

Angel is equally optimistic. “Of course we respect Ate Guy’s talent. But you shouldn’t play down our chances either,” she says.

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2012 ends with a big bang for Sarah Geronimo.

At the 25th Awit Awards last November 27, Sarah bagged three major awards. Her album “One Heart” is Awit’s bestselling album of the year. She is Entertainment Gateway Group's Most Downloaded Artist and her hit “Sino Nga Ba Siya” is Entertainment Gateway Group's Most Downloaded Song.

There’s more. Sarah was named the Best Asian Artist/Philippines at the Mnet Asian Music Awards.

Her concert at the Araneta Coliseum, 24/SG, won the Best Major Concert (Female) plum at the Aliw Awards.

The DVD of the concert will be released before December 25.

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Is Kate Middleton, the wife of Britain's Prince William, expecting twins? Reports indicate that the Duchess of Cambridge is being treated for morning sickness after it was officially revealed that the royal couple is expecting their first child.

Kate is said to be suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, an acute form of morning sickness, which is said to be an indication of multiple pregnancy.