Why the awards season is delayed

Again, here’s an update on this year’s very much delayed awards season – the awards organization and where and when its awards presentation will be held.

Star Awards of the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) - June 30, Philippine Plaza Hotel ballroom.

Gawad Urian of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino - tentatively July 22, possibly at the Center Stage of the Mall of Asia.

Golden Screen Awards of the Entertainment Press Society (Enpress) - sometime in August, Meralco Theater.

FAMAS Gabi ng Parangal - maybe in August or when its officers have stopped fighting it out in court.

Luna Awards of the Film Academy of the Philippines - no producer yet.

I already pointed out last Tuesday why the awards season is delayed this year. Awards night producers and the organizers all waited to be given timeslots in either GMA 7 or ABS-CBN, but the waiting proved to be futile. (On Channels 7 and 2, you can sell commercial spots at a much higher cost and are assured of an audience to appreciate all the effort that goes into the production of every award presentation.) Of all the awards organizations, it was only the FAMAS that got a commitment from ABS-CBN (through its producer, Airtime Marketing Inc.’s Tessie Celestino-Howard). But unless the leadership problem is resolved, the FAMAS awards night has to wait.

Another reason for the delay is that it is more tedious to view the entries this year. What – in a lean year where there are only about 50 or so local films produced? Well, you probably have forgotten the fact that 2005 was the banner year of digital films – and there were so many of them.

There were at least two major digital film festivals last year: the Cinemalaya that was sponsored by businessman Tonyboy Cojuangco and Cinema One of ABS-CBN.

You are probably familiar with the likes of Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros and Masahista because these two won awards in festivals abroad. But at the same time you have the likes of Anak ni Brocka and Anak ng Tinapa. Oh, it’s a long list of little-known digital films that were exhibited last year. If you want to be thorough with your selection of "the best" last year, you have to watch ALL. At least that’s what we’re doing in the Gawad Urian. I don’t know about the rest. The FAP is supposed to be considering for the awards digital films that have been transferred to 35mm. And it’s easy for the FAP to get the contact numbers of these digital filmmakers because for you to qualify in the Luna Awards you have to apply for membership in the FAP.

The Manunuri, however, is having difficulty finding these independent filmmakers because we are considering all and we’re having a hard time finding some of those who made digital films last year. Well, you know how some artists are – they are supposed to be reclusive.

At least, there are those who are cooperative: Brillante Mendoza and Paolo Villaluna, who sent four copies of Ilusyon for Manunuri viewing – which he thought was just okay "because there are pirated copies of Ilusyon going around Quiapo anyway." At least, he can take comfort in the fact that people are interested in the film.

However, there was one who agreed to lend a copy, but on the condition that his representative would be standing guard outside – waiting for us to finish watching the film. You can’t blame him. With so much piracy going around, you can’t be too careful anymore.

Compared to mainstream cinema, it’s triply difficult to monitor digital films. In the past – before the advent of digital movies – what we would do in the Manunuri was to watch films in the regular run and tip off the others to watch whatever is worth seeing. We make quarterly citations and at the end of the year, we go over the list and do a second viewing.

With digital films, however, you really have to have a nose on what is being exhibited – and majority of these are not shown in regular theaters like SM Cinemas or in Robinsons.

I have, for instance, a very short role in Pepot Artista. The director, Doy del Mundo, at least invited me to some of the film’s screenings at the CCP. But then, I asked myself, do I have to drive all the way to CCP (I think the schedule was even in the morning) to see myself? I thought I would just look at myself in the mirror – and I swear I’m not even usually happy with what I see there.

But seriously, it was my duty and responsibility to watch it as a reviewer. However, the thought of driving all the way to CCP made me doubt my love for the profession. To this day, I am the only one in the Manunuri who hasn’t seen Pepot Artista – which is okay because I’m abstaining in the voting in case it gets in. So if I win an acting award for this film – merciful heaven forbid – you cannot question my victory. Ha-ha-ha.

So far, the Manunuri is already wrapping up its viewing (I’m the only one lagging behind) and we’re getting ready with our list of nominees. I hope the other award-giving bodies are also preparing for the awards season like we are.

So get ready with your formals, ladies and gentlemen. Startalk’s Tigbakan crew is waiting for you at the red carpet as we roll in this year’s awards season.