PEP: Cherry Pie, Jason, Sid bag Urian awards

Before the awards night started, Jason Abalos admitted that he was already visualizing that he would be taking home the silver trophy given to winners of the Gawad Urian. The young man who was nominated as Best Actor for the movie Endo eventually got his wish and declared in his acceptance speech, "Sa Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino, isang pangarap ang inyong tinupad." Jason tied with Sid Lucero for the Best-Actor award of the 31st Gawad Urian, which was held last night, October 1, at the Little Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. It was interesting to note that it was Sid's father, Mark Gil, who handed him the trophy since Mark was the Urian Best Actor last year. Father and son hugged each other tightly on stage when Sid accepted his award for his role in the indie film Selda. After the ceremony, PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) was able to talk with Mark Gil to ask him about Sid's award. "Ang sabi ko sa kanya [Sid], ‘You have one of the most prestigious awards in the industry. You are my legacy." Urian Best Actress Cherry Pie Picache was overwhelmed by her award for her movie Foster Child, which also earned for her several international awards from film fests abroad. "Sobrang mahal na mahal ko ang ginawa kong trabaho sa Foster Child at mas naging espesyal pa. I am so proud to be in their company. I am so humbled by this award," said the actress who also expressed her gratitude for the foster mothers in Sta. Mesa who helped her internalize her role. For winning the Urian Best Supporting Actor award, Emilio Garcia is now a grand-slam actor for the movie Selda. In this film, he played a jailed man who developed a relationship with another prisoner portrayed by Sid Lucero. The film Tirador was chosen as the Best Picture of 2007 while director Brillante "Dante" Mendoza was named Best Director. Tirador beat Confessional, Death in the Land of Encantos, Endo, Foster Child, and Tribu for the category "Pinakamahusay na Pelikula." Angela Ruiz of Tirador bagged the Best Supporting Actress award. She is best remembered as the character whose false teeth fell down in a canal. Best Cinematography went to Tirador's Jeffrey dela Cruz, Brillante Mendoza, Gary Tria, and Julius Villanueva. The fifth award for the film was bagged by Ditoy Aguila and Junel Valencia for Best Sound Editing. Cherry Pie pointed out that Gary Tria's triumph in the Gawad Urian makes this event a double celebration for them. She emphasized that she and Gary (the father of her son Anton) are working things out. As the recipient of the Natatanging Gawad, Kidlat Tahimik considered this lifetime achievement award as his "Ph.D in filmmaking." The Baguio-born filmmaker went up the stage wearing a toga and a graduation cap and delivered a monologue that had him talking with his imaginary "Inang." Hailed by the Manunuri as the pioneer of Philippine independent cinema, Kidlat took out his gong and stripped off his toga to reveal his g-string underneath. He chanted and played his gong, showing that he is still in touch with his Ifugao roots. CROSS-DRESSING ACTOR. Among all the presenters, Rustom Padilla caused a stir in the audience when he came out wearing a black tube top covered with a pink flowing cover up. The former husband of Carmina Villarroel presented the award for Best Actor along with Mark Gil. Both Rustom and Mark won the Best Actor award in last year's edition of Gawad Urian. Past winners of the Urian made it a point to attend the awarding ceremony, which started promptly at 7 p.m. and ended at around 9 pm. Meryll Soriano, Giña Pareño, Joseph Bitangcol, Niña Jose, Julia Clarete, Allan Paule, and Rafael Rosell were all tasked to present the awards that were given out that night. Among those who attended were Eugene Domingo, who was nominated as Best Supporting Actress this year for Foster Child; Ina Feleo, a nominee for Best Actress in Endo; and Glaiza de Castro, a nominee for Best Actress in Still Life. Other people who attended the awards night were director Andoy Ranay and Tirador actor Coco Martin. The hosts of the evening were Butch Francisco and Boots Anson-Roa. Here is the list of winners of the 31st Gawad Urian: Best Picture: Tirador (Centerstage Productions) Best Director: Brillante Mendoza (Tirador) Best Screenplay: Jade Castro, Michiko Yamamoto, Raymond Lee (Endo) Best Actress: Cherry Pie Picache (Foster Child) Best Actors: Jason Abalos (Endo) and Sid Lucero (Selda) Best Supporting Actress: Angela Ruiz (Tirador) Best Supporting Actor: Emilio Garcia (Selda) Best Production Design: Lav Diaz and Dante Perez (Death in the Land of Encantos) Best Cinematography: Jeffrey dela Cruz, Brillante Mendoza, Gary Tria and Julius Villanueva (Tirador) Best Editing: Aleks Castañeda (Tambolista) Best Music: Francis de Veyra (Tribu) Best Sound: Ditoy Aguila and Junel Valencia (Tirador) Best Short Film: Rolyo by Alvin Yapan Natatanging Gawad: Kidlat Tahimik - Philippine Entertainment Portal