Showbiz News

FAMAS 2020: Janine Gutierrez wins Best Actress; docu film 'Aswang' makes history

By Bong Godinez

Janine Gutierrez proves once again that she's one of the country's finest actresses today.

The Kapuso star continues her winning streak by clinching the Best Actress trophy at the FAMAS Digital 2020 awards held last night, December 20.

Janine took home the prestigious honor for her portrayal in the action-thriller Babae at Baril written and directed by Rae Red.

This latest recognition comes on the heels of Janine's Best Actress win at the 43rd Gawan Urian last month.

In total, Babae at Baril amassed a total of four awards including Best Cinematography and Best Scoring.

Also emerging as last night's big winner was the documentary film Aswang by Alyx Ayn Arumpac, who is a former executive producer of Front Row, GMA's award-winning documentary show.

The documentary takes viewers on the ground and at the center of President Rodrigo Duterte's controversial war on drugs policy.

Aswang won the coveted Best Picture trophy to beat Cleaners, Babae at Baril, John Denver Trending, Kalel, 15, and Verdict.

It marks the first time that a documentary has won the Best Picture award in the FAMAS' 68-year history.

Three industry pillars were recognized for their valuable contributions in Philippine cinema as well.

Esteemed screenwriter Ricky Lee (scriptwriting), the late Armida Siguion-Reyna (industry development), and Rox Lee (alternative cinema) were all accorded the Lifetime Achievement Awards.

“The three recipients of the FAMAS Lifetime Achievement Award are deserving storytellers who remind us that artists have a role in society - to fight against injustice and make the world a better place,” the award-giving body wrote on Facebook.

“Our three awardees generously spent a lifetime fighting for freedom of expression and rebelling against the status quo. These three changed the broad landscape of Philippine Cinema forever. They're our Cultural Revolutionaries.”

Here is the full list of winners:

  • Best Screenplay: Glenn Barit (Cleaners)
  • Best Production Design: Eero Yves Francisco (Babae at Baril)
  • Best Cinematography: Alyx Arumpac and Tanya Haurylchyk (Aswang) and Tey Clamor (Babae at Baril)
  • Best Sound: Jet Leyco and Brian Gonzales (For My Alien Friend)
  • Best Scoring: Immanuel Verona (Babae at Baril)
  • Best Editing: Fatima Bianchi and Anne Fabini (Aswang)
  • Best Short Film: Tokwifi (Carla Ocampo)
  • Best Documentary: Aswang (Alyx Arumpac)
  • Best Supporting Actress: Dolly De Leon (Verdict)
  • Best Supporting Actor: Ricky Davao (F***bois)
  • Best Actress: Janine Gutierrez (Babae at Baril)
  • Best Actor: Elijah Canlas (Kalel, 15) and Kristoffer King (Verdict)
  • Best Achievement in Direction: Raymund Ribay Gutierrez (Verdict)
  • Best Picture: Aswang
  • Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award: Angel Locsin
  • German Moreno Youth Achievement Award: Liza Soberano and Matteo Guidicelli
  • Dolphy King of Comedy: Pokwang
  • Dr Jose Vera Perez Memorial Award: Boy Abunda
  • FAMAS 2020 Advocacy Directing Award: Neil “Buboy” Tan
  • FAMAS Lifetime Achievement Awards: Ricky Lee, Rox Lee, and Armida Siguion-Reyna

Janine's road to victory was not easy. The Babae at Baril lead star found herself in serious competition against equally talented actresses. Take a look at the nominees for the Best Actress award in this year's FAMAS.