It was through the efforts of German “Kuya Germs” Moreno, dubbed the “Master Showman,” that the 57th Gabi ng Parangal of the FAMAS (Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences) pushed through last Sunday (Oct. 18) at the PAGCOR Grand Theatre in Sucat, Parañaque. They couldn’t get any producer so Kuya Germs came to their rescue.

It was through Kuya Germs’ intercession that the performers, presenters and others in the production agreed to be part of the program gratis et amore. “Sayang naman kasi, ang FAMAS ang oldest award-giving body sa film industry natin. Ang FAMAS ang unang nagbigay ng recognition sa talento ng ating mga artista. Nakakalungkot kung mawala, dahil mawawala ang sigla ng industriya kung mawawala ang FAMAS. Sayang na pabayaan na lang natin. Despite the economic crisis, nairaos din natin ang 57th FAMAS Awards. Napakiusapan ko lahat ng nanditong mga artista at performers, wala silang bayad. Salamat din sa Pagcor for letting us use this theatre for free.”

After the National Anthem, the trophies were brought onstage by PUP cadets, after which a performance by the Bayanihan Dance Troupe followed. In his welcome speech, FAMAS Pres. Angelo “Eloy” Padua, acknowledged the presence of the special guests, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, who delivered a keynote speech and who on behalf of Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, thanked the movie/TV stars who helped victims of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng; Senator Bong Revilla (who received the Fernando Poe, Jr. Memorial Award) and his wife Lani Mercado; Rep. Annie Susano and MTRCB Chairperson Consoliza Laguardia who was award presenter.

‘Baler’ wins seven awards

“Baler,” produced by Viva Films and Bida Productions, got most of the awards including Best Picture, Best Cinematography (Lee Meily), Best Story (Roy Iglesias), Best Sound (Ditoy Aguila), Best Art Direction (Aped Santos), Best Editing (Danilo Anonuevo) and Best Theme Song (“Ngayon, Bukas at Kailanman,” rendered by Sarah Geronimo).

The indie movie “Ay Ayeng,” produced by Arlax Vaswani, and starring Heart Evangelista, Jao Mapa, Maria Isabel Lopez and John Arcilla, got six awards including Best Actress, Heart Evangelista (she wasn’t there); Best Director, Dominico Soriano, Best Child Actor; Jessica Mae Flores, Best Child Actress; and Rolando Salem, Best Special Effects.

“Paupahan,” another indie movie produced by Allen Dizon, won four awards: Best Actor (Allen Dizon), Best Supporting Actor, German Moreno; Best Supporting Actress, Snooky Serna; Best Screenplay (Dennis Evangelista). Kuya Germs was very grateful and he said “it took an indie movie to give me a Best Supporting Award.”

The other winners were Jessie Lasaten, Best Musical Score (“Ploning”), Opthima Digital, Best Visual Effects (“Ploning”).

Presidential Awardees

The indefatigable couple Carlo J. Caparas and Donna Villa received the Presidential Award, supposed to be the highest award of the evening. President Padua and MTRCB Chair Laguardia presented the award to the National Artist for Visual Arts and his producer wife Donna Villa. Together, the couple has come up with many box-office hit movies, starting with their so-called “massacre” movies whose unfavorable connotation Carlo has defended by saying they were actually justice movies in that justice was sought for the victims.

Anyway, Donna jested, “I think we deserve this award, so hindi ko isosoli ito. At walang magra-rally sa amin for getting this award.”

She added that she wanted to dedicate the award to their talented children, CJ and Peach, “they are the reasons why we are still avidly working, why we are still strong and energetic and dedicated in our projects.” Currently, the mega-tandem has an ongoing daily show which chronicles the inspiration life and stories of lotto winners.

Their latest movie was “Pangarap Kong Jackpot,” an episode of which starred our Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao.

Carlo thanked the FAMAS for giving them the coveted award, “actually this is my sixth FAMAS award, so nagpapasalamat ako sa pamunuan ng FAMAS. Walang magra-rally sa amin dito, papalakpakan ang mga awardees dito…”

Other special awardees

Other awardees were: Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto (who couldn’t come,  sent a video message). She was supposed to receive the Exemplary Achievement Award “both in the movie and TV industries and in public service.”

Councilor Ariel Enrile Inton, Jr. was recognized for authoring an ordinance in Quezon City entitled “Zero % Amusement Tax” which abolished the taxes levied on local movies shown in his city.

Ms. Cora Pastrana-Bagatsing was cited for promoting Filipino movies and Philippine culture in the US where she has been residing for a long time now. Cora, who is now married to actor Raymond Bagatsing (former husband of Lara Fabregas), founded the Cinema Indio Film Festival seven years ago. A showbiz writer and FAMAS member before she migrated to America, Cora said she and Raymond are now working on a movie entitled “No. 4” (Nothing Seems Stranger Than Destiny), under the auspices of wanderlustproject and the SRL Group and which will be shown at the forthcoming 2009 LA Cinema Indiofest.

The late international action star Roland Dantes was also posthumously recognized for his efforts to propagate the only Filipino martial arts Arnis for which before his death had been travelling all over the world promoting it and training those interested.

Four young stars, Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, Aljur Abrenica and Kris Bernal received the German Moreno Achievement Award; Ms. Alice H. Reyes, the Atty. Flavio Macaso Memorial Award, and Junne Quintanna, the Dr. Jose R. Perez Memorial Award. Both Reyes and Quintanna are officers of FAMAS.

Performers

Performers included Ms. Pilita Corrales, Ms. Imelda Papin, Ara Mina, Jan Nieto, the Mabuhay Singers and The Primos who serenaded the Lifetime Achievement Awardees Ms. Gloria Romero and Ms. Delia Razon, who was escorted onstage by her granddaughter Carla Abellana, the lead star of GMA-7’s toprating teleserye “Rosalinda.”

Dr. Doming Landicho, noted writer/poet in Tagalog, emotionally delivered a poem he wrote and dedicated in memory of the late Art M. Padua, who was previously president of FAMAS.

Program hosts were John Nite, Jackielou Blanco, Iza Calzado and Mico Aytona.

The FAMAS Awards will be aired tonight on IBC 13 on “Up Close and Personal with Marissa del Mar” and on NBN 4.

*   *   *
Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Oct. 21 go to Joey Javier Reyes, Irma Potenciano, Jessie Estayo Rodrigo, Herbert Sy, Mitch Valdez, Charing Dulalia, Koo Koo Gonzales, Celia Martinez Flores, Mary Kathleen Joseph, Ernest Tagle, Celia Cunanan, Gabby Claudio, presidential adviser, Delfin V. Cruz Jr., Juan Menquito, Marirose Sison Garcia, Jesus Reynaldo “Boyet” Palma of California, Jacqueline Dela Cruz, John Lawrence and John Mark Dela Cruz, Analiza Velasco, Chelo Banal-Famoso, Stephen Thomas Flores-Joseph, Edwin Costa, Kathy Tanjuatco and Josh Ryan C. Reynoso. Belated b-day greetings to Marinor Angeline C. Reynoso of Tugbang Barotac Viejo, Iloilo (Oct. 9). Happy wedding anniversary to former president Fidel and Mrs. Amelita Ramos.