FAP Luna Awards held Sept. 29 at Resorts World Manila

The 36th Luna Awards, presented annually by the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) will be held tomorrow, Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. at The Plaza of Resorts World Manila.

The prestigious event, considered the local version of the Oscars, honors the achievements of people involved in the film industry. And if it is dubbed the local version of the Oscars, Leo G. Martinez explained that it is because of the process: the winners in some of the categories like the Best Director and Best Screenplay are chosen by their peers.

“Kaya kakaiba ang Luna Awards, kasi ang pumipili sa mga winners, yung mga kasamahan nila sa industriya.”

Another difference from others awards is that “in Luna Awards, walang leaks na nangyayari. The winners are only known on the Awards Night. Only the accounting firm knows the winners,” Martinez added.

What is only known at the moment are the special awardees: Ms. Charo Santos who will receive the Fernando Poe Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award; Ms. Rosa Rosal, who will receive the Manuel de Leon Award for Exemplary Achievement; Director Maryo J. delos Reyes and Director Augusto Buenaventura, who will posthumously receive the Lamberto Avellana Memorial Award.
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By the way, still on the Oscars, the Film Academy of the Philippines has chosen “Signal Rock!” to represent the Philippines in the Oscar Foreign Film category. The Chito S. Rono film was chosen among 10 prospective entries, including “Goyo,” “Buy/Bust,” “Seven Sunday’s,” “Panahon ng Halimaw,” Changing Partners” and “Balangiga.”

Supporting the 36th FAP Luna Awards is the Asian Television Content Corporation (ATC) headed by Engr. Reynaldo Sanchez with Nixon Salimbangon as ATC business consultant.

Since last year, the Luna Awards has been held at The Plaza, an open area at the second floor of Resorts World Manila, courtesy of its president Kingson Sian. Anyone in the area can watch the Awards Night program.

Competing for Best Picture are: “Ang Larawan;” “Changing Partners,” “The Chanters,” “Historiographika Errata,” “Kita Kita,” “Love You to the Stars and Back,” “Neomanila,” “Respeto,” “Seven Sundays” and “Siargao.”

Vying for Best Director are James Robin Mayo (“The Chanters”); Mikhail Red (“Neomanila”), Cathy Garcia-Molina (“Seven Sundays”), Paul Soriano (“Siargao”), Loy Arcenas (“Ang Larawan”), Antoinette Jadaone (“Love You to the Stars and Back”), Richard Somes (“Historiographika Errata”), Sigrid Andrea Bernardo (“Kita Kita”), Alberto Monteras 11 (“Respeto”) and Dan Villegas (“Changing Partners”).

Best Actor contenders are Allen Dixon (“Bomba”), Jericho Rosales (“Siargao”), Joshua Garcia (“Love You to the Stars and Back”), Nonie Buencamino (“Smaller and Smaller Circles”), Sandino Martin (“Changing Partners”), Empoy Marquez (“Kita Kita”), Justine Samson (“Balangiga: Howling Wilderness”), Noel Trinidad (“Paki”) and Aga Muhlach (“Seven Sundays”).

Best Actress finalists are Joanna Ampil (“Ang Larawan”), Agot Isidro (“Changing Partners”), Dexter Doria (“Paki”), Alessandra de Rossi (“Kita Kita”), Eula Valdez (“Neomanila”), Jally Nae Gibaliga (“The Chanters”), Julia Barretto (“Love You to the Stars and Back”) and Erich Gonzales (“Siargao”).

The People’s Choice Awards will be chosen through text votes, Nixon Salimbangon said.

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Tidbits: Happy birthday greetings today, Sept. 28, go to Capt. Jude Ejercito Estrada, civic leader Charing Villar, Ma. Veronica Ongkeko, Ma. Theresa Gonda, Julie Meresen, Ben de Jesus, Kris Paredes, Teresita Cruz, Jeizzel Ongkeko, Mel de Jesus, Corrie Castillo, Rose Palacio, Ma. Eliza Reyes, Mrs. Socorro Beech, MJ Felipe, Ella Viterbo Leonardo, Jerick Louies Lontoc, Argee Guevarra, Joji de Vera-Interino, Jason Misolas and Mina Paras. Happy sacerdotal anniversary to Fr. Maximo Gatela, Fr. Melchor Saria, Fr. Stephen Redillas, Fr. Winston Ferdinand Ramon Cabading, Fr. Herminio Daghoy and Fr. Arthur Dingel.