Only the members of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino can make everyone, in and outside of the entertainment industry, stop, look and read the names of the people and the films they consider worthy to receive nominations.
The most coveted trophy of all, the Gawad Urian is for grabs once more as its 44th year of giving out distinctions and honors to local showbiz’s crème de la crème is now official. The heat is on, indeed.
In the motion pictures that received their collective nods, the significant seven choices are an assertion of the Manunuri’s privilege to be snobbish, acting out their sophistication and finer film aesthetics and the truth and nothing but the truth of it all, their supreme act of discernment, of being different has become truly fashionable.
If you scrutinize those who made it to the best picture nominations, it is the Manunuris subtle manner of reminding us that we are at fault, for not having the time and resources for the films and they raised their eyebrows, espresso cups in hand, as they are baffled with our fascination with all the popcorn fare that we consume and we deem and proclaim as “magandang pelikula.”
Of course, the most coveted trophy in any award-giving body, especially here in Manila, is that of the best actress. In this year’s Urian, nine ladies with an attitude are in competition.
Out of the nine in competition, three of them are Kapuso leading ladies namely Glaiza de Castro, Jasmine Curtis Smith, and Lovi Poe.
Glaiza’s reaction to her nomination from the film Midnight In A Perfect World: “I did not expect to be nominated but to be acknowledged by the Gawad Urian makes me feel like a winner already. Ang huhusay kaya ng mga co-nominees ko.”
From the Curtis who can act, Jasmine’s retort with regard to her Alter Me nod: “I am thankful to the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino, I am always very honored and grateful to be recognized by your prestigious committee for my roles and to be among the best actresses of this industry.”
And from the soon-to-be star in a Hollywood movie opposite Alex Pettyyfer, Lovi’s reply to her Malaya selection as best actress contender: “Playing Laya in Malaya was one of my favorite characters I have portrayed to date. It was a wonderful production and I’m so proud of everyone involved, I particularly want to thank our director Connie Macatuno for pushing us to achieve this nomination. Thank you Gawad Urian.”
