Brotherhood & camaraderie all over

While coordinating closely with the Gawad Urian production people (the very efficient staff of Tony Tuviera’s APT Entertainment, Urian producer for the fourth time), I constantly hoped and prayed for good weather.

The last thing I wanted in last Thursday’s Urian was a repeat of what happened last year: Guests and participants practically swimming to the AFP Theater, portions of which went under water after monsoon rains started flooding parts of the metropolis.

Mercifully this time, all the positive elements seemed to have worked to our favor – that and the hard work of APT’s Malou Fagar and her people.

Two days before the awards presentation – staged at the Henry Lee Irwin Theater of the Ateneo de Manila in Loyola Heights – typhoon Henry changed its course and finally gave people from Metro Manila and regions nearby relief from bad weather.

On the day of Urian, the sun was out the whole day and miracle of miracles, traffic wasn’t all that bad. It was only Natatanging Gawad Urian recipient Eddie Garcia who had a problem with traffic because he made the bad decision to pass through Libis. But since he had always been very professional, he left his place early and – though caught in traffic – he still got to the venue way before the program started.

Outside the theater where the Urian was going to be staged, media came out in full force. There were people from print, radio and – very noticeably – from television. The TV people from the various networks practically took over that small space in front of the theater.

In fact, as soon as I stepped out of my vehicle, the hardworking Nelson Canlas of 24 Oras/Saksi immediately shoved his microphone to my face and asked me questions about the awards presentation. Rival TV Patrol was also there, but couldn’t touch me "because I’m from the other network."

Gawad Urian, however, didn’t allow itself to be dragged into the network war (especially since its carrying station was neutral RPN 9) and welcomed everyone to the affair.

However, I have to say that I’m hats off to the people of Cinema One (ABS-CBN) because they always cooperate with awards organizations and are always willing to lend their files, especially of old films. When they asked permission to cover the event, therefore, we told them they were more than welcome. They just had to make do with the little space that was left since every talk show/news program showed up. RPN 9’s Mr. Fu was there and, of course, Startalk was there for the Tigbakan portion (they are airing it this afternoon).

On one side of that space outside the theater, S-Files’ Chikamate Princess interviewed celebrities about their outfit for the night. Actually, Chikamate Princess was herself a sight to behold. She’s a very young and pretty lady – although I have to say her mother (who stood by watching her princess all throughout) is prettier.

On the opposite side where S-Files set up its stage was Showbiz Stripped and it was home to me (Startalk and Showbiz Stripped are sister shows). Since it was cordoned off and had uniformed men in barong guarding it (I don’t know how Showbiz Stripped people were able to arrange for that), I felt safe inside that protected space. No, I wasn’t really hiding from anyone, well, except for the stalker of Ara Mina. Of course, the stalker wasn’t after me. But he wanted to ask for some favor and at that point I wasn’t dispensing any that wasn’t Urian-related.

But thanks to Showbiz Stripped, I had this little sanctuary that even provided me with water and a little food (cookies to tide me over from hunger). When host Ricky Lo arrived, however, I had to scoot because they had work to do and I had to seek refuge elsewhere.

Fortunately, the show began at a little past 8 and I sneaked quietly into the darkened theater. Looking around, I noticed that the crowd was different from other past Urian shows. There were no screaming fans. But there was excitement in the audience nevertheless.

It was then that I realized more than half the place was filled with people who had something to do with film – whether mainstream cinema or indie movies. And they were happy and excited about the proceedings. There was brotherhood and camaraderie all over. And the faces were young. New blood has come in and this is now the industry – and they were all together at the Gawad Urian last Thursday to witness the crowning of the best works in the past year.

The Honor Roll

• Best Actress – Jaclyn Jose (Sarung Banggi)

• Best Actor – Robin Padilla (La Visa Loca)

• Best Supporting Actress – Hilda Koronel (Nasaan Ka Man)

• Best Supporting Actor – Ketchup Eusebio (Sa Aking Pagkakagising Mula Sa Kamulatan)

• Best Picture – Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros

• Best Director – Mes de Guzman (Ang Daan Patungong Kalimugtong)

• Best Screenplay – Michiko Yamamoto (Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros)

• Best Cinematography – Nap Jamir III (Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros)

• Best Production Design – Mes de Guzman and Noel Montano (Ang Daan Patungong Kalimugtong)

• Best Music – Vincent de Jesus (La Visa Loca)

• Best Editing – Clarence Sison and Kanakan Balintagos (Ang Pagdadalaga)

• Best Sound – Raffy Magsaysay (Big Time)

• Best Short Film – Kultado

• Natatanging Gawad Urian – Eddie Garcia