Gawad Urian 2016: John Lloyd Cruz and LJ Reyes earn top acting honors

John Lloyd Cruz and LJ Reyes earned the top acting awards in the 39th Gawad Urian Awards that took place earlier Wednesday night, June 22, at the KIA Theater in Cubao, Quezon City.

John Lloyd Cruz was named Best Actor for his performance in Honor Thy Father, effectively beating his own performance in A Second Chance.

His worthy contenders were John Arcilla (Heneral Luna), Ricky Davao (Dayang Asu), Jericho Rosales (Walang Forever), Dennis Trillo (Felix Manalo), Sid Lucero (Apocalypse Child), Jun Jun Quintana (Water Lemon), Luis Alandy (Anino sa Likod ng Buwan), Francisco Guinto (ARI: My Life with a King), and Lou Veloso (Da Dog Show).

LJ Reyes cried as she accepted the Best Actress award for Anino sa Likod ng Buwan.

She told the crowd, “Gusto ko pong magpasalamat sa lahat ng naniwala sa ‘kin. Sa lahat ng mahal ang sining, para po sa inyo ‘tong lahat.”

The actress was able to beat Nora Aunor (Taklub), Anika Dolonius (Apocalypse Child), Angeli Bayani (Iisa), Alessandra de Rossi (Bambanti), Ces Quesada (Imbisibol), Jennylyn Mercado (Walang Forever) and Mercedes Cabral (Da Dog Show).

Bernardo Bernardo was recognized as Best Supporting Actor for his role in Imbisibol while Ana Abad Santos cried as she accepted the Best Supporting Actress trophy for Apocalypse Child.

Meanwhile, the Nora Aunor-starrer Taklub was chosen as Best Picture by the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino, defeating Heneral Luna, Anino sa Likod ng Buwan, Honor Thy Father, Imbisibol, ARI: My Life with a King, Bambanti, and Da Dog Show.

This year’s Natatanging Gawad Urian was gien to veteran cinematographer Romy Vitug.

The Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino members are President Dr. Grace Javier Alfonso, Dr. Nic Tiongson, Professor Tito Valiente, Mario Hernando, Dr. Rolando Tolentino, Butch Francisco, Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera, Miguel Rapatan, Dr. Benilda Santos, and Lito Zulueta.

Here is the list of winners for Gawad Urian 2016:

Natatanging Gawad Urian: Romy Vitug

Best Picture: Taklub – Centerstage Productions

Best Director: Jerrold Tarog for Heneral Luna

Best Actor: John Lloyd Cruz – Honor Thy Father

Best Actress: LJ Reyes – Anino sa Likod ng Buwan

Best Supporting Actor: Bernardo Bernardo – Imbisibol

Best Supporting Actress: Ana Abad Santos – Apocalypse Child

Best Screenplay: Ari: My Life with a King – Robby Tantingco

Best Cinematography: Heneral Luna – Pong Ignacio

Best Production Design: Water Lemon – Ben Payumo

Best Editing: Heneral Luna – Jerrold Tarog

Best Music: ARI: My Life with a King – Jake Abella

Best Sound: Heneral Luna – Mikko Quizon

Best Short Film: Wawa

Best Documentary: The Crescent Rising

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