25th PMPC Star Awards for Movies 2009 – Part 1
By Mell T. Navarro
IT was a glittery and memorable Silver Anniversary for the Star Awards for Movies 2009, organized annually by the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC), Inc. held last May 28, 2009 at the Henry Lee Irwin Theater of Ateneo De Manila University in Loyola Heights, Quezon City.
Maricel Soriano and Cesar Montano
Hosted by Diamond Star Maricel Soriano (in her lovely blue gown by designer Pepito Albert), action superstar Cesar Montano (suit by Paul Cabral), and Comedy Concert Queen Ai-Ai delas Alas (gown by Maxi Cinco), the awards night’s telecast will be on June 21, 2009 (Sunday), 10:00 PM on Sunday’s Best of ABS-CBN, directed by GB Sampedro, produced by FLT Films, Inc. of Ms. Rose Flaminiano and Ms. Christina Kitts.
The 25th PMPC Star Awards for Movies was like a reunion of sorts for seldom hosts Maricel and Cesar. The two starred in popular TV sitcoms Kaya Ni Mister, Kaya Ni Misis and Bida Si Mister, Bida Si Misis, which lasted for some time on the boob tube. Providing the awards rites’ comic relief was the ever-wacky Ai-Ai who also did the opening number, with equally wacky dance liftings.
From the hot Hayden Kho-Katrina Halili video sex scandal, the crowd laughed when Ai-Ai said in her spiels: “Sa panahong ito hindi na kailangang gumastos nang malaki para kumita ang isang pelikula. Blockbuster ang Video Scandal ngayon sa murang halaga…
AiAi delas Alas
Kuwarto lang ang katapat at dalawang tao lang, puwede na. Tipid pa sa damit dahil hindi na kailangan ng costume. Ang kailangan lang ay music, sabay sayaw ng Careless Whisper,” or words to that effect. After which, a topless guy wearing boxer shorts with hanky on the head (ala-Hayden Kho) and a guy with a laptop appeared on stage!
Trivia hosts were KC Concepcion at Piolo Pascual, giving the TV and live audience unforgettable moments of the past 25 years of PMPC Star Awards for Movies. Popular TV host-singer Toni Gonzaga (gown by Edwin Tan) did a special song number medley with Ronnie Liang and Jay-R Siaboc, while the much-awaited finale production number came from popstar Sarah Geronimo, who also won the Female Star of the Night special award.
Adjudged Movie Actress of the Year was megastar Sharon Cuneta for her performance in Star Cinema’s Caregiver. Sharon’s name was
Jericho Rosales
announced by award presenter Richard Gomez who was simply dashing that night in his suit. It was in 1997 when Sharon won her first Movie Actress of the Year from the PMPC — for her movie Madrasta (1996) — although she also got nominated in her previous films like Crying Ladies, among others.
The Megastar bested her co-nominees Mylene Dizon (for 100), Jodi Sta. Maria (Sisa), Anne Curtis (Baler), Judy Ann Santos (Kulam), Irma Adlawan (Hubad), and Ms. Gloria Romero (Fuschia) who was present that night. Since Sharon was abroad, her aunt Ms. Helen Gamboa received the trophy in her behalf.
Jericho Rosales won as Movie Actor of the Year for his fine acting in Viva Films and Bida Foundation’s Baler. In his acceptance speech, Jericho almost cried, and admitted he was hesitant go that night for fear of being lost again — just like two previous awards nights were he was also nominated for the same film, but lost.
“May pag-asa pa po ang local movie industry… We can show the world na puwede pa rin tayong gumawa ng award-winning films like this, and at the same time ay big-budgeted… Nu’ng Metro Manila Film Festival (December 2008), inaamin ko po, iniyakan ko nu’ng matalo ako, dahil lahat halos ng awards nakuha ng Baler, pero natalo ako sa Best Actor,” recalled Echo who came that night from taping of his newest teleserye on his home studio.
Echo won his first Star Awards Movie Actor of the Year trophy in 2007 for the Manny Pacquiao filmbio entitled Pacquiao (The Movie) shown in 2006. But it was a tie win for Echo and Piolo Pascual who won for Don’t Give Up On Us. This year, it’s a “solo victory” for one of the best actors of his generation. Jericho bested co-nominees and early favorites Baron Geisler (Jay) and Ronnie Lazaro (Yanggaw). Baron and Ronnie were there as presenters and were such good sport. Completing the line up of nominees were Aga Muhlach (When Love Begins), Allen Dizon (Paupahan), Carlo Aquino (Carnivore), and John Lloyd Cruz (A Very Special Love).
Director Mark Meily
Viva Films’ Baler was a run-away winner with nine trophies, including Movie of the Year and Movie Director of the Year for Director Mark Meiley who went up on stage a number of times. “Ang maganda sa pabalik-balik sa stage ay napapasalamatan mo ‘yung mga nakalimutan mo sa ibang awards na nauna mong tinanggap,” says Direk Mark who was extremely proud of his production staff’s victory.
The Movie Supporting Actress of the Year award went to Snooky Serna, who was in her elegant black gown by Nono Palmos that night, for the indie film Paupahan. It was a tough fight between Snooky and Shamaine Buencamino (for Ang Lihim Ni Antonio). Other nominees were Ms. Gloria Romero (Paupahan), Techie Agbayani (Yanggaw), and Tessie Tomas (100).
Mariel Soriano and Snooky Serna
Backstage, our in-house photographer and my co-administrator Donjun Somodio had a “super exclusive” shot of Snooky and Maricel – movie queens of the ’80s and two original Regal Babies. These days, Cookie and Marya seldom see each other in one showbiz event, and their picture together on this article is simply a super rare shot!
Aside from Richard Gomez (who also had a pleasant conversation with Snooky backstage), other presenters were Ms. Boots Anson-Roa, Director Maryo delos Reyes, Yul Servo, JC Tisueco, Allen Dizon, Noni Buencamino, Lance Raymundo, etc.
This year’s PMPC President and Over-all Chairman is Roldan Castro, Executive Committee Chairman is Melba Llanera, Co-Chairman is Aaron Domingo, and Supervising Producer is Rodel Fernando. Yours truly is the Club’s Secretary.
(See next album for the Part 2.)
25th PMPC Star Awards for Movies 2009 Photos — Part 1:
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