1998 Gawad Urian and Star Awards

Vilma, Nida Share top acting honors - "...Vilma Santos shared the coveted Movie Actress of the Year award with Nida Blanca in last Saturday's Star Awards, the local counterpart of Hollywood's Golden Globe, at a jampacked UP Theater in Diliman, Quezon City. Santos was honored for her role in Bata, Bata...Paano Ka Ginawa?, a movie written for the screen by Lualhati Bautista based on her own novel and directed by Chito Roño for Star Cinema. Blanca, meanwhile, won her acting trophy for her role in the obscure Sana Pag-ibig Na by first-time director Jeffrey Jeturian for Golden Harvest. The two bested three other nominees: Elizabeth Oropeza (Tasulok), Rosanna Roces (Ang Lalake sa Buhay ni Selya), and Sharmaine Arnais (Sagad sa Init). In the male actor category, the members of the Philippine Movie Press Club gave Cesar Montano his second acting trophy for playing Dr. Jose Rizal in the multi-million peso production Jose Rizal that Marilou Diaz-Abaya made for GMA Films. It was an expected win that no one, even the other nominees in the Movie Actor of the Year: Raymond Bagatsing (Kriminal ng Baryo Concepcion), Ricky Davao (Ang Lalake sa Buhay ni Selya), Richard Gomez (Babae sa Bintana), and Eric Quizon (Pusong Mamon). Montano won the same honors in the Metro Manila Film Festival. Apart from the Actor of the Year, Jose Rizal bagged eight other trophies including Movie of the Year.

Star also honored the film in directing (Diaz-Abaya), acting (Jaime Fabregas, in supporting role), screenplay adapted from another material (Ricky Lee, Jun Lana, and Peter Ong Lim), production design (Leo Abaya), film editing (Jess Navarro and Manet Dayrit), music scoring (Nonong Buencamino). Jose Rizal is only the second movie produced by the fledgling GMA Films and cost the new movie outfit some P80 million, making it the most expensive film made in this part of the globe. It already grossed to date, according to reports, close to a hundred million. Sa Pusod ng Dagat, its first venture into serious film making, didn't have much luck in the box office, but won Star honors in the original screenplay category for writier Jun Lana and cinematography Romy Vitug. Star Cinema's bet for major awards, Bata, Bata...Paano Ka Ginawa?, seemed to have failed to impress the movie press. It only collected three trophies, for Santos' performance and the two child actors Serena Darlymple, proclaimed New Movie Actress of the Year, and Carlo Aquino cited as Child Performer of the Year...The Star Awards for Movies is handed out annually by the Philippine Movie Press Club, It kind...Starting as an alternative to the macho-dominated Famas 15-years ago, it eventually became the event to watch. During its early years, its choices caused a lot of raised eyebrows, especially among the more academically equipped group of movie writers and critics.

Fractured by a split in membership when a faction opted to take a leave and eventually resign amid a feud between the writers' group and ABS-CBN last year, the remaining members of the PMPC remained undaunted. These days, there seem to be peaceful co-existence between the group and the network that questioned publicly its credibility in handing out awards of excellence. Last Saturday marked the return of Star Cinema;s acknowledgement of PMPC and Star Awards as something the industry can do without. Representatives from the film company accepted the trophies for winners who failed to make it to the show, like Carlo Aquino. In contrast to the conciliatory moves of Star Cinema;s management, actors, and technicians whose chances of victory are uncertaine chose not to make an appearance. Movie Actress of the Year nominee Rosanna Roces was nowhere in sight. So was Richard Gomez. Even Movie Supporting Actress winner Anita Linda didn't bother to come and accept her trophy. Yet, others showed their support to the PMPC by their sheer presence, making the Star Awards still the most star-studded annual awards show were Christopher de Leon, Pops Fernandez, Regine Velasquez, Daisy Ryes, Keempee de Leon, Geneva Cruz, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Troy Montero, Ralion Alonzo, Vina Morales, Carol Banawa, Jolina Magdangal, and Antoinette Taus who performed in the usual musical numbers and broke the monotony of the awards.

Other probably came for the P10,000 cash prize for the Male and Female Star of the Night Award given to those the PMPC members decided looked best during the show. And the award went to Albert Martinez and Glydel Mercado. Some members of the audience though thought Sunshine Cruz in a see-through gown looked more fabulous. Starlet Bernadette Allyson also attracted attention and won Fairest Skin of the Night. And Eric Quizon was voted Darling of the Press. Quizon was also one of the hosts of the show. Joining him were Ronnie Ricketts and Vilma Santos whose fans punctuated the show with screams, cheers and applause. A female fan was reportedly escorted out of the theater by security guards aftersome members fo the audience complained that she has making too much noise. If the Vilmanians were rowdy, the Noranians was the opposite side of the theater were ferocious. They trooped to the theater when they learned Nora Aunor would make an appearance to present the Ulirang Artista Award to her friend Caridad Sanchez. They broke in wild cheers when their idol chilled out of the stage wing and stood on the right end of the stage. Vilma was on the opposite side waiting for her cue to introduce Nora. It was all right until the Mayor of Lipa announced Nida Blanca instead. The Noranians were irked and incensed and objected with catcalls. Vilma was compelled to make a public apology, saying she was merely reading a cue card given to her by the show's writer.

Nora was also the recipient of a special award, cited by the PMPC for bringing the local movie industry honors in international film festivals. She won Best Actress at Penang, Malaysia for her role in 1997's Bakit May Kahapon Pa? The superstar's acceptance speech was short, saying only, "Maraming salamat!" Many speculated that she must have been incensed by the earlier faux pas committed by her perennial rival. In justifying the mistake, the PMPC said that Nora was not really expected to arrive. But they were glad she made it. In case she didn't, Nida Blanca had agreed to make the presentation of the Ulirang Artista Award which was already written on the cue card. The question though remained, "Didn't Vilma notice Nora coming in?" If she didn't she should have taken the cue from the screams of the Noranians. The incident reignited the heated rivalry of these two stars and made the Star Awards a peewee exciting..." - Isah V. Red, Photographs by Mike de Juan, Manila Standard, Mar 14, 1999 (READ MORE)

Urian's Choices"...Another major upset was Nida Blanca's failure to clinch top acting honors. Her perfromance in Sana Pag-ibig Na by another first-time director Jeffrey Jeturian was considered by many worthy of an Urian trophy and could give popular choice Vilma Santos a tough time in all of the awards this year. Blanca shared the same honors with the Mayor of Lipa City earlier in Star Awards. Seventy-six-year-old-actress Mona Lisa was this year's recipient of Natatanging Gawad Urian presented to her by Insiang co-star Ruel Vernal and Manunuri's Grace Javier Alfonso. The actress recent work is a role in Nick DeOcampo's Mother Ignacia. This is the 22nd year the Manunuri group have been handing out trophies to honor outstanding work of actors, directors, writers, film editors, sound engineers and music scorers in Filipino movies...The show looked like most local awards shows with musical numbers that has no relevance to the film medium punctuating the monotony of introducing the nominees and annoucing the winners. Rosanna Roces' licentious humor somehow livened up the perfunctory intros of presentors and performers. Osang was resplendent in an off-shoulder tangerine ballroom gown at the beginning and changed into a heavily beaded and sequined pience with partly see-through skirt. Many in the audience wondered if she was wearing a wig. With Osang as co-hosts were a slimmer Rustom Padilla and Albert Martinez who was struggling with an astma attack and had to leave even before the show was over.

The stage was dressed up like a courtyard with facade of turn of the century houses as background. Rep. Imee Marcos presented the five nominated pictures wearing initally an outfit made from indigenous fibers and then later a Filipiniana-inspired two-piece number...As usual in local award shows, the bigger stars come in very late, just in time for the annoucement of the nominations in their respective category. Vilma Santos came in at 10:30 p.m. escorted by husband and Batangas congressman Ralph Recto and followed by an entourage of bodyguards and her personal assistants. In her acceptance speech, she apologized for her tardiness saying she had to attend the graduation from high school of Luis Philip Manzano, aka Lucky, her son by former husband Edu Manzano. She also announced that the follwing day, her son by Ralph, Ryan Christian Recto, would be celebrating his birthday. Vilma's fans once more showed their undying support for their idol, screaming at every instance the actress' name is mentioned and holding up paper placards, on which they screamed their affection for her. When her name was announce winner of the most coveted award, they went gaga jumping out of their seats to cheer her as if they were watching a basketball game. This is the kind of awards show that somehow masks the sad realities in an industry struggling to survive the worst economic crisis ever and the continued and growing alienations of the middle class now more inclined to watch English-language movies from Hollywood on either the VHS and DVD formats in the comfort of their airconditioned bedrooms...." - Manila Standard, Mar 31, 1999 (READ MORE)

BATA BATA PAANO KA GINAWA (1998)

“Namputang Itlog yan, gawing mong manok!” - Leah

“Sister nain-love ka na ba? Hindi yong Love kay Kristo ha, yong love na may sex!” - Leah

Basic Information: Direction: Chito S. Roño; Adapted screenplay: Lualhati Bautista, Chito S. Roño; Original screenplay: Lualhati Bautista; Cast: Vilma Santos, Albert Martinez, Carlo Aquino, Serena Dalrymple, Angel Aquino, Cherry Pie Picache, Raymond Bagatsing, Ariel Rivera, Rosemarie Gil, Andrea Del Rosario, Dexter Doria, Cita Astals, Ronalissa Cheng, Carmen Serafin; Original Music: Jessie Lasaten; Cinematography: Charlie Peralta; Editing: Jaime Davila; Production Design: Manny Morfe; Sound: Albert Michael Idioma; Theme Song: "Kumusta Ka" performed by Nonoy Zuniga; "Buchik-ik" written and performed by Yoyoy Villame; Producer: Trina N. Dayrit, Charo Santos-Concio, Malou N. Santos

Plot Description: Lualhati Bautista's award-winning novel was adapted to the big-screen with brilliant results: the casting (specially Mayor Vilma Santos as the strong-willed Leah Bustamante) is perfect; Bautista's script is filled with comic and dramatic undertones. 8 year-old Serena Dalrymple provided most of the laughs as the innocent child who serves as Leah's mirror of her personality. Everything in the film is a labor of love and art, and it deserves to be a classic. – IMDB

A fiercely independent and unflinchingly candid woman connected with a women's crisis and survival center has to raise her two kids with different fathers. Her first husband has left her when their career options failed to converge. She is now stuck in an extramarital arrangement with another man who cannot bring himself to respect and commit to their quite unorthodox relationship. – Database of Philippine Movies

The movie is about Lea, a mother of two kids with different fathers. Lea, works in an NGO (non-government organization), which deals with human rights violation committed against women. Ogie and Maya are Lea's children. Ogie's father, Raffy, leaves them when he had to work in the province of Surigao. Lea together with his son Ogie, did not join Raffy for Lea has a job in Manila which she did not want to leave. Maya, whose father is Ding lives with them, together with Ogie. Things start to get worse when Raffy arrives in Manila. Raffy, meets with Lea for him to see his son, Ogie. As days went on, Ogie regularly sees his father and sometimes spends some time in his house together with his new wife who is pregnant with there first child. Raffy, realizes that he has a lot of shortcomings as a father to Ogie. Raffy tells Lea that he will take Ogie with him to the United States after his wife gives birth. Lea doesn't know what to do. – Skynet

Film Achievements: 1999 Brussels International Festival of Independent Films: Best Actress - Vilma Santos, Best Director - Chito S. Roño; Asia-Pacific Film Festival Special Jury Award - Chito S. Roño; FAMAS: Best Child Actor - Carlo Aquino, Best Child Actress - Serena Dalrymple, Best Story - Lualhati Bautista; FAP: Best Actress - Vilma Santos, Best Picture - Star Cinema, Best Supporting Actor - Carlo Aquino, Best Supporting Actress - Serena Dalrymple: Gawad Urian: Best Actress - Vilma Santos, Best Picture - Star Cinema, Best Best Screenplay - Lualhati Bautista, Best Supporting Actress - Serena Dalrymple; Star Awards: Actress of the Year - Vilma Santos, Child Performer of the Year - Carlo Aquino, New Movie Actress of the Year - Serena Dalrymple; Young Critics Circle: Best Film - Star Cinema, Best Performer - Vilma Santos, Best Screenplay - Lualhati Bautista, PASADO: Best Picture - Star Cinema, Best Screenplay - Lualhati Bautista, Best Actress - Vilma Santos

Other Film Achievements: FAP: Best Cinematography nomination - Charlie Peralta, Best Director nomination - Chito S. Roño, Best Editing nomination - Jaime Davila, Best Production Design nomination - Manny Morfe, Best Screenplay nomination - Lualhati Bautista, Best Supporting Actor nomination - Albert Martinez; Gawad Urian: Best Best Director nomination - Chito S. Roño, Best Best Editing nomination - Jaime Davila, Best Music nomination - Jessie Lasaten, Best Sound nomination - Albert Michael Idioma, Best Supporting Actor nomination - Carlo Aquino, Best Supporting Actor nomination - Raymond Bagatsing; Bata Bata Paano Ka Ginawa? Became a stage play in 1999

Film Reviews: Motherhood. Womanhood. It has long been believed that the former is the be-all and end-all of the latter. Our culture dictates this. Our society has its own standard boxes of what constitutes a good woman and of what necessitates a good mother. If you don’t fit this box, then you suffer the consequences. LEA BUSTAMANTE (Vilma Santos), a mother of two and a woman who chooses to live differently, is learning how to deal with these consequences. Her eldest is OJIE (Carlo Aquino), an outspoken boy on his peak of puberty. Her youngest is MAYA (Serena Dalrymple), a precocious and equally outspoken six-year old. Both have different fathers. Neither is married to Lea. Lea was once married to Ojie’s father, RAFFY (Ariel Rivera). But he had to leave for his job and she had to stay for hers. Hence, they separated. Now, Lea lives with Maya’s father, DING (Albert Martinez), a mama’s boy who is constantly at the beck and call of his mother. This infuriates Lea because it reminds her that Ding is not married to her and they are not his priority. Nevertheless, Lea is sure she can handle herself and her children without anyone’s help.

Her world gets shaken however when Raffy goes back to the Philippines. She knows she still loves him but that there is no chance for a reconciliation. Raffy came back with a new wife on the family way. Ojie begins to see his father during weekends. Lea sees how father and son thirst for the bond they should have started forming a long time ago. She also sees how much Maya misses her brother so much whenever he spends his time with his father. Matters get worse when Raffy voices his desire to take Ojie with him and his new wife to America. With a fearful heart and a great respect for her son, Lea leaves the decision to Ojie. Before he even makes a decision, he and Maya suffer an accident. The mother gets blamed. Her job gets blamed. Lea works in a survival center for women in crisis and is continually exposed to the adverse effects of how society can become a victim of its own ideology. Lea considers herself emancipated from these labels. She has her own sense of motherhood, of womanhood, of what is true and good and beautiful. But now, she is being accused by both fathers of not being a good mother, and of being a woman of twisted priorities. In this susceptible state, Lea finds solace in the company of Johnny (Raymond Bagatsing), a colleague and a friend from the center. As if her life wasn’t complicated enough, she receives yet another bomb. Ding breaks up with her after a long absence, apparently after getting married to a girl he got pregnant. Ding wants to take Maya too. With a broken spirit, a confused heart and great reverence for Maya as with Ojie, Lea lets her children decide about their life. In these moments of vulnerability, Lea confronts her worth and the needs of her soul which the men in her life never really fulfilled - her being a woman and a mother. Is living the life she wants worth losing the children she loves? With a broken spirit, a confused heart and great reverence for Maya as with Ojie, Lea lets her children decide about their life. In these moments of vulnerability, Lea confronts her worth and the needs of her soul which the men in her life never really fulfilled - her being a woman and a mother. Is living the life she wants worth losing the children she loves? – Star Cinema

The movie "Bata Bata Paano Ka Ginawa?" is a movie which deals not only with the pains a mother and a wife goes through but also with the people around her as well. The movie which was originally based on the novel of the same title written by Lualhati Bautista, is such a wonderful story. Though it was written during the 1980's, the material still hasn't lost it's appeal and connection to the people, considering that were almost entering the new millenium. What fascinates about the movie is that it did not only revolve around Lea but with the other characters as well. I really felt that all of the actors and actreses in the movie connected with one another. Each of the actors and actresses in the movie had a different story to tell. The movie would not have been as wonderful as it is, had it not been for the stellar performances given by the actors and actresses in the movie. There would be no question in terms of Vilma Santos' acting prowess. Indeed she has proven be one of the fine actreses this country could ever had. I believe that nobody could ever give justice to the role of Lea had it been portryed by another actress other than Vilma Santos. Most noticeable were the performances given by the two kids. Serena Dalrymple and Carlo Aquino's performance were just unbelievable. Considering that the two kids' age and considering that there just neophytes in the acting scene. – Skynet

"A fiercely independent and unflinchingly candid woman connected with a women's crisis and survival center has to raise her two kids with different fathers. Her first husband has left her when their career options failed to converge. She is now stuck in an extramarital arrangement with another man who cannot bring himself to respect and commit to their quite unorthodox relationship. - Databases of Philippine Movies (READ MORE)

"A women's rights activist and mother of two, Lea has been abandoned by the fathers of her children. Her daughter and son are at crucial transitional ages and she struggles to provide for them while maintaining her hectic job at a woman's crisis center. Soon though, the job and her budding romance with co-worker Johnny threaten Lea's role as mother when her children's fathers return to accuse her of neglect." - Baseline Studio Systems (READ MORE)

"The movie "Bata Bata Paano Ka Ginawa?" is a movie which deals not only with the pains a mother and a wife goes through but also with the people around her as well. The movie which was originally based on the novel of the same title written by Lualhati Bautista, is such a wonderful story. Though it was written during the 1980's, the material still hasn't lost it's appeal and connection to the people, considering that were almost entering the new millenium. What fascinates about the movie is that it did not only revolve around Lea but with the other characters as well. I really felt that all of the actors and actreses in the movie connected with one another. Each of the actors and actresses in the movie had a different story to tell. The movie would not have been as wonderful as it is, had it not been for the stellar performances given by the actors and actresses in the movie. There would be no question in terms of Vilma Santos' acting prowess. Indeed she has proven be one of the fine actreses this country could ever had. I believe that nobody could ever give justice to the role of Lea had it been portryed by another actress other than Vilma Santos. Most noticeable were the performances given by the two kids. Serena Dalrymple and Carlo Aquino's performance were just unbelievable. Considering that the two kids' age and considering that there just neophytes in the acting scene." - Skyinet (READ MORE)

"In one of the most remarkable performances in Filipino film history, Vilma Santos plays Lea, a woman who defiantly rejects social convention to experience life on her own terms. A woman's rights activist and mother of two, Lea has been abandoned by the fathers of her children. Her daughter and son are at crucial, transitional ages and she struggles to provide for them while maintaining her hectic job at a women's crisis center. Soon, however, the job and her budding romance with co-worker Johnny threaten Lea's role as mother. When the children's fathers turn up to accuse her of neglect, she must ask herself whether her independence is worth the possibility of losing her children? What role--motherhood or lover--will best satisfy the deepest needs of her soul?" - The 35th Chicago International Film Festival (READ MORE)

"...Lea's Story, based on Lualhati Bautista's award-winning novel "Bata, bata paano ka ginawa," tells the story of Lea, a strong and independent woman who defiantly rejects social conventions to live life on her own terms. Lea, a woman's rights activist and single mother of two, struggles desperately to provide for her children by working at a woman's crisis center. Soon her job and romance with a co-worker are threatened when her estranged husband comes back into Lea's life, accusing her of neglect and abuse. Last year, Lea's Story swept the Filipino Academy Awards by winning Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Screenplay and Best Director. It stars the Philippines' top actress and actor, Vilma Santos and Raymond Bagatsing respectively..." - Asian American Film News (READ MORE)

"...As much as people think that this is Vilma Santos' movie, I beg to disagree. Me thinks it was the children's show. Serena Dalrymple and Carlo Aquino gave two of the best child acting performances ever. Serena as Maya was a chatty young kid, whose bluntness, frankness, and honesty come across as cute and comical however one can still question as to how she was brought up. Carlo Aquino's Ojie is a more mature kid, he understood what was going on and was rebelling to the fucked-up-ness of their situation. What pisses me off is that today, there hardly is a movie that Carlo Aquino is in, except maybe for last year's "Carnivore, "where he was superb in again. Aquino is one of the few great young actors of his time that still is a great actor up to know. He is just not that present anymore. And I kinda wish that he makes more movies, because I know that he is a superb actor..." - Douglas Racso (READ MORE)

"...Nora’s performance in ‘Sidhi” is touted to be the answer to Vilma Santos’ hysterical outing in “Bata, Bata, Pa’no Ka Ginawa?’ If only ‘Sidhi’ came out during last year’s cut-off period, then Nora would definitely give Vilma another tough fight in the awards derby this year. “Let’s stop it,” Ate Guy shakes her head as she shows her lack of interest in the rivalry. “As far as we’re concerned, things like that, you know, that phase is over. Let’s not talk about those things anymore.” Nora knows her rivalry with Vilma would linger for a long time. But personally, she thinks they have developed a different level of friendship through the years. “Movie projects offered to Vilma are different from those I accept. So you really can’t accept films just to compete with her. If I don’t want something, I won’t do it,” Nora further explains..." - Peoples Journal, 1999 (READ MORE)

"...A free-spirited woman and madre de familia runs her life and raises her children unconventionally. It is one of the best films that espouses feminism without being didactic and self-righteous. Humorous, poignant and insightful, it features a yet-another dazzling performance by Vilma Santos..." - Mario A. Hernando (READ MORE)

1998 Best Actress Awards

Urian Best Actress Award - "...Actress and Lipa City Mayor Vilma Santos won her seventh Urian Best Actress Award last Sunday night at UP Theater for her performance in Star Cinema's "Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa?" Vilma Santos won her first Gawad Urian Award for Best Actress in 1982 for the movie "Relasyon." She again earned the best actress award in 1983 and 1984 for the movies "Broken Marriage" and "Sister Stella L.,"for "Pahiram ng Isang Umaga" in 1989, which she shared with Nora Aunor ("Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit"). Succeeding awards came for "Ipagpatawad Mo" in 1991 and "Dahil Minahal Kita: The Dolzura Cortez Story" in 1993. In her acceptance speech, Vilma shared her award with her co-nominees - Nida Blanca, Elizabeth Oropesa, and Rosanna Roces. 8-year-old Serena Dalrymple took home her first Gawad Urian award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in "Bata, Bata Paano Ka Ginawa." Another first-time Gawad Urian winner was Jaime Fabregas, this year's recipient of the Best Supporting Actor award for the movie "Jose Rizal." Raymond Bagatsing won his second consecutive Gawad Urian Best Actor Award for the movie "Serafin: Kriminal ng Baryo Concepcion." He received his first Urian best actor award (for "Milagros") last year. The movie "Jose Rizal" went home with the most technical awards. Although "Bata, Bata Paano Ka Ginawa" won this year's Best Picture Award, Marilou Diaz Abaya took the Best Director honors for "Rizal.' Other awards received by "Rizal" were Best in Sound (Michael Albert Idioma), Best in Music (Nonong Buencamino), Best Production Design (Leo Abaya), and Best Cinematography (Rody Lacap). The other winners were: Best Editing, Danny Gloria for the movie "Gangland" and Best Screenplay, Lualhati Bautista for "Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa?" The "Natatanging Gawad Urian" was bestowed on actress Mona Lisa who started her career in 1938 in Parlatone Hispano Filipino's "Ang Pagbabalik." Her most recent work was under Nick de Ocampo, "Mother Ignacia..." - Sol Jose Vanzi, March 30, 1999 (READ MORE)

Film Academy of the Philippines Best Actress - "...GMA Films probably heard the bad news from the grapevine before the Film Academy of the Philippines' 17th Annual Academy Awards started Sunday night, and decided to boycott. The table reserved for GMA Films remained conspicuously vacant throughout the awards night held at the PICC. Their hunch, or inside info, was right. The much-acclaimed movie José Rizal, failed to win any award. GMA’s staunch competitor, Star Cinema, romped away with most of the major awards. Best Picture was Star Cinema's Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa? The film directed by Chito Roño, which tackled women's issues, gave Vilma Santos another Best Actress award. The movie also won Best Supporting Actress honors for child star Serena Dalrymple. Carlo Aquino was named best supporting actor and Manny Morfe, for best production design. Birador, another Star Cinema film, bagged the best director and best editing awards for Edgardo Vinarao, best cinematography for Juanito Pereira and best screenplay for Senen Dimaguila. Rudy Fernandez was named best actor for portraying a struggling policeman in Birador. This is his second award from the Film Academy of the Philippines after Batuigas: Pasukuin si Waway in 1984. Other awards went to Pusong Mamon, which won the best musical score and best theme song awards for Dennis Garcia, originally of the Hotdogs Band. Best Sound was received by Ramon Reyes for GMA Films' Sa Pusod ng Dagat. The awards itself had generated controversy when José Rizal's producers, Butch Jimenez and Jimmy Duavit, and two production staffers Rody Lacap and Nonong Buencamino, were considered ineligible to be nominated and therefore ineligible for any award..." - Sol Jose Vanzi, April 27, 1999 (READ MORE)

FAMAS Lifetime Achievement Award - "...Multi-awarded dramatic actress Vilma Santos can no longer be nominated for the FAMAS Best Actress Award, since she had been elevated to the Hall of Fame for having won five FAMAS Best Actress trophies over the years. But on its 47th year, the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences, the oldest cinema award- giving body in Asia, wants to give Vilma due recognition for her continued excellence and longevity as a Box Office Queen. The body also wants to recognize her contribution to the industry by being a model public servant and popular Mayor of Lipa City. On April 8, FAMAS Awards night, Vilma will be bestowed this year's FAMAS Lifetime Achievement Award. Vilmanians would consider this, plus the grand slam and the Hall of Fame honors, as proof that their idol, Ate Vi, is way above her arch rival Nora Aunor. But Noranians would be quick to retort that nothing can match the glory and recognition Nora Aunor received when she was named Centennial Artist during the Philippine Centennial celebrations. As much as their fans love to fight over who is better or more popular, the two actresses are actually very good friends in real life, calling each other "kumare" and running to each other's assistance whenever necessary..." - Sol Jose Vanzi, March 28, 1999 (READ MORE)

Brussels International Film Festival Best Actress - "...Here is a much-deserved birthday gift for Lipa City Mayor Vilma Santos: she has just won the Best Actress award at the just-concluded Brussels International Film Festival for her portrayal as a single mother in Star Cinema's Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa. The film’s director, Chito Roño, was named Best Director in the same event. “Bata, Bata” was Vilma's only movie for 1998. It was shown four months after she was elected Lipa City Mayor. Before it went to Brussels, Bata, Bata won for Vilma the Best Actress trophy at the Urian Awards, the Star Awards and the Film Academy Awards. She could have also won the FAMAS award, but as a member of the FAMAS Hall of Fame, Vilma is disqualified from competing in the FAMAS Best Actress category. The story was written by Lualhati Bautista, also the author of the controversial “Sutla,” starring Priscilla Almeda..." - Sol Jose Vanzi, Nov. 16, 1999 (READ MORE)

Hawaii International Film Festival - "...Four local movies have so far been chosen by Christian Gaines of the Hawaii International Film Festival for exhibition in the prestigious event in November. Four more will be picked in July when Gaines returns to Manila. Hawaii filmfest '99 is focused on the Philippines. The first four movies selected were Chito Roño's "Bata, Bata...Paano Ka Ginawa?," Joel Lamangan's "Sidhi," Carlitos Siguion Reyna's "Kahapon May Dalawang Bata," and Gil Portes' "Saranggola." Of the four, only "Saranggola" has not yet been commercially released. Gaines viewed a rough copy (interlock) of "Saranggola" whose post-production work is yet unfinished. "Saranggola" stars Ricky Davao and Lester Llansang as father and son. Script by Butch Dalisay. Also being eyed for Filipino movies’ participation is the Sundance (Utah) filmfest (Robert Redford's very own project), where Gaines is in charge of the world cinema division. "Saranggola" is an aspirant to the June Manila Film Festival. Gaines is inviting Cesar Montano as juror and Vilma Santos as special guest to the Hawaii filmfest, where "Jose Rizal" was shown last year..." - Sol Jose Vanzi, April 17, 1999 (READ MORE)