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Esteemed director Laurice Guillen has been honored as a lifetime achievement awardee at the 33rd Aliw Awards, the country's longest-running award-giving body for live entertainment.

Despite many awards under her belt, the veteran director still feels honored to receive such recognition.

The Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit director said, "Grateful ako na kinikilala ang mga nagawa ko sa teatro, telebisyon, at pelikula habang aktibo pa ako."

"Nagpapasalamat ako sa Diyos para sa blessing na ito, sa mga nakatrabaho ko na tumulong at nagturo sa akin, sa pamilya at kaibigan na sumuporta sa akin."

Direk Laurice's elder daughter, Ana Feleo, won the Best Classical Performer award. Ana is a renowned acting coach and is part of the Bova Actors Workshop, which has conducted workshops around the world and has helped GMA Artist Center talents in honing their skills as actors.

Aside from them, Kapuso singers Julie Anne San Jose and Golden Cañedo also win big at the 33rd Awit Awards.

Julie Anne received the Entertainer of the Year and the Best R&B Artist awards, while Golden Cañedo was named as the Best New Female Artist.

Meanwhile, veteran concert director Louie Ignacio was inducted into the Aliw Hall of Fame for Best Concert Stage Director, after winning the award five times.

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Direk Laurice has been active in the entertainment industry both as a director and an actress.

A protegé of National Artist Lino Brocka, Direk Laurice had her directorial job in the 1979 movie 'Kasal,' starring Hilda Koronel and Christopher de Leon.

In 1981, she collaborated with Ricky Lee to write the movie 'Salome,' starring Gina Alajar, who is now a director herself. For 'Salome,' Direk Laurice won the Best Director Award at the Gawad Urian.

After a few more movies, Direk Laurice decided to retire from filmmaking to focus on her Marian devotion with her late husband, Johnny Delgado.

In 2001, Direk Laurice returned to film making as she released 'Tanging Yaman,' an official entry in that year's Metro Manila Film Festival and she has not stopped ever since.

At 73 years old, Direk Laurice revealed her plans of directing a movie and a TV show in 2021.

She ended, "Balak kong gumawa ng pelikula [sa 2021.] Gusto ko rin gumawa ng makabagong series na nagpapakita ng karanasan at kultura ng Pilipino."

Direk Laurice's work, Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit, airs from Monday to Friday on GMA Afternoon Prime after Prima Donnas.

In the show, Direk Laurice's youngest daughter, Ina Feleo, portrays Margaux.

Congratulations, Direk Laurice!