Tuesday, November 27, 2012

SA PUSO NG HIMALA


Ang pinakabagong aklat ni Ricky Lee,
na naglalahad ng tatlumpung taong paglalakbay ng klasikong pelikulang "Himala" (1982).
Kasama ang screenplay, salin sa Ingles ng screenplay, interbyu sa mga artista at
production people,
at mahigit 300 retrato.


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Source: http://www.facebook.com/SaPusoNgHimala?fref=ts

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Sinong Pilipino ang hindi nakakakilala sa tanyag na mga linyang “Walang himala!”?

Ipinalabas sa Metro Manila Film Festival noong 1982, ang Himala ay nananatiling isang  klasiko ng pelikulang Pilipino. Sinulat ni Ricky Lee, dinirek ni National Artist for Film Ishmael Bernal, at ginampanan ni Nora Aunor, ito ang kauna-unahang pelikulang Pilipinong nag-compete sa Berlin Film Festival noong 1982. Napili ito ng Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino bilang isa sa sampung pinakamahuhusay na pelikulang Pilipino ng nakaraang tatlong  dekada ng ‘70s, ‘80s, at ‘90s. Nanalo rin ito ng CNN APSA Viewer’s Choice Award for Best Asia-Pacific Film of all Time noong 2008. Noong 2012, ipinalabas ito sa restored classics section ng Venice Film Festival.

Ang aklat na ito ay isang nakaaaliw at nakapagbibigay-kaalamang paglalakbay sa mundo ng Himala sa loob ng 30 years.


A FILMIC FEAST. A TRIPLE TREAT!

Now and forever, a faithful testimony of timeless art.
A documentary directed by Sari Dalena and Keith Sicat.
 

By: MICHAEL U. OBENIETA
THY WOMB starring Ms. Nora Aunor

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Source: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.230160597114827.58126.102939136503641&type=1

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"Himala" (Miracle) remains potent ever since it started to enthrall its audience 30 years ago. The magic continues under the directorial spell of Ishmael Bernal (National Artist for Film) along with the alchemy of Ricardo Lee's hypnotic writing and a brew of production values that are nothing short of heavenly, especially the ethereal presence of Ms. Nora Aunor who just reaffirmed her status as a world-class actress through her latest film, "Thy Womb."

Star Cinema's re-mastered edition of the Ishmael Bernal
masterpiece--honored at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA)
in 2009 as the "Best Asia-Pacific Film of All Time" by CNN viewers
--got a royal treatment when it was showcased among classics of world cinema at the Venice International Film Festival 2012.

Written and edited by Ricardo Lee,
one of the Philippines's top screenwrights,
a book with an insider look.

The old poster, circa 1982.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Restored version of Nora Aunor’s “Himala” to hit theaters Dec. 5


By: ELY VALENDEZ
Ely's Planet

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Source:  http://elysplanet.com/2012/11/09/restored-version-of-nora-aunors-himala-to-hit-theaters-dec-5/

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THIRTY YEARS after it first premiered, Pinoys has the second chance to watch the critically-acclaimed film, “Himala” directed the late Ishmael Bernal, starring the Superstar Nora Aunor as the restored version of the film will have a limited run in select cinemas nationwide starting December 5.
himala-nora-aunor
Film critics considers “Himala” as Superstar Nora Aunor’s best film. It returns to Philippine cinemas on December 5 as the film celebrates 30th anniversary.
Written by multi-award winner screenwriter Ricky Lee with Sergio Lobo as the Director of Photography,“Himala” is based on a true incident on a teenage girl in Cabra Island in the province of Occidental Mindoro between 1966 and 1967.Himala is the first of the 3000+ films to be restored by the ABS-CBN Film Archive and Central Digital Lab, Inc. The restored version premiered at the 69th Venice International Film Festival.
“Himala was filmed entirely in the province of Ilocos Norte in just three weeks with a budget of only ₱3 million. The film premiered at the 1982 Metro Manila Film Festival, and in 1983, became the first Filipino film to be included in the “Competition Section” of the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival. Since then, Himala has been exhibited in a number of film festivals around the world,” according to Abs-cbn.
On November 11, 2008, Himala won the Viewer’s Choice Award for the Best Film of all Time from the Asia-Pacific Region in the 2008 CNN Asia Pacific Screen Awards beating out nine other outstanding movies (voted by thousands of film fans around the world). The ten finalists were chosen by critics, industry insiders and actors—including Bollywood stars Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai.

THE NORANIAN FACTOR IN GUY’S LIFE

Nestor de Guzman, Gordon Doria, Art Barbadillo, Bibsy M. Carballo,
Ricky Lee, Maru Cusi Tatco, Jonathan Catunao, Gilbert Guy Ferrer


By: BIBSY M. CARBALLO
LIVE FEED
The Philippine Star Entertainment
November 21, 2012; Wednesday
Page E-3

If there would be any word that could describe Nora Aunor then and now, it would have to be “unpredictable.”  From the day she was born, the bronze superstar called Guy appeared to follow the disposition of the moment, breaking many rules but getting away with them.  Her love life and her misbehavior are fodder for gossip to this day.  Her awards in film, recording and theater are too many to enumerate.  She had close to 30 homes; her earnings would have run into the multi-millions, yet she has little to show for it.

In the acting field, her awards have come from Brussels, Cairo, Berlin Cannes, Singapore, Green Planet (Hollywood) and the recent Venice Film Festival.  Obviously, there is no Filipino award-giving body that hasn’t given her a Best Actress award and even a Lifetime Achievement trophy.  She is not called the Superstar for nothing.

But even superstars have their downside.  Nora left for the US sometime in 2004 and stayed there for eight years.  Perhaps, she enjoyed the life of an ordinary person away from the problems of a celebrity.  It is rumored she got into trouble with the US Immigration, asked to serve community service, was released with all cases erased and wonder of wonders, given a 10-year US visa.  People were astounded.  Walang himala?

Guy returns home.  TV5 had offered her a contract; the late Mario O’Hara directed her in a mini-series; Cannes Best Director Brillante Mendoza’s film Thy Womb brought her an award in Venice; the same film will compete at the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF); and ABS-CBN is launching the newly-restored film Himala with a book Ricky Lee was commissioned to write.  Guy is happily where she belongs.

The restored Himala film will be launched on Dec. 4, 4 p.m., at the Shangri-La Plaza Cinema 1, together with a documentary titled Himala Ngayon by sari Dalena and Keith Sicat.  Ricky’s coffee-table book Sa Puso ng Himala has the full screenplay, English translation, more than 100 full-color photographs and interviews with cast and crew.  The 1,000 hardbound copies at P1,000 each are almost sold out.  A softbound version limited to 4,000 copies at P500 with exactly the same content will be available at the launch (for details, call 426-4961, 928-9557 or 0917-5331948).

When informed by Leo Katigbak of ABS-CBN’s Film Archive and Special Events of the plan for the film launch and the book in early December, writer Ricky thought it would be a cinch.  No sooner had he agreed to the project when voluminous problems arose.  Director Ishmael Bernal had long been gone; cinematographer Ike Jarlego had just died; those on the set including this columnist as line producer couldn’t remember details from 30 years back; and Bernal’s assistant director Warlito Teodoro could not be traced.  What was Ricky to do?

He went to the Noranians, the Manila core group of Nora Aunor advocates in various parts of the globe who call themselves ICON and NFF (Nora’s Friends Forever) who promote the legacy of the superstar as a world-class artist.  It was the best decision he ever made.

According to Nestor de Guzman, a workshopper of Ricky in 2002, it is this group that went work quickly and efficiently:  On Aug. 2, relates Marie Cusi Tatco, they met with Ricky who asked them to assist in the research.  Mari searched for the root of the Himala story, the apparition in Cabra of the Virgin to a girl named Belinda Villas, and spoke to her and her husband.

Gilbert Ferrer and Jonathan catunao went to the National Library and Mowelfund to photocopy every material that had to do with Himala.  NFF members helped in transcription – among them Michael Obenieta in Kansas; Deogracias Antazo in Saudi Arabia; Marites de Vera in Dubai; Ellen Alejano in Autralia; Nikos dacanay in Thailand; Glorina Tugade with Bayer Philippines; and Gordon Doria in the Philippines.

Jonathan and Mari followed director Trina Dayrit to Antipolo on Aug. 9 to interview her in-between takes of her teleserye and the reached out to Baby K. Jimemez through Internet.   They waited two weeks while Manila was “underwater” because of the habagat rains to interview Imee marcos, head of Experimental Cinema (ECP) that produced Himala.

Meantime, Ricky’s efforts were gaining ground.  Charlie Perlata of Roper’s studio, official Himala photographer, submitted photos rescued from 30 years of flood and fungi.  Joel Lamangan, crowd director of the stampede scene of 3,000 extras, found Bernal notes of that scene.  At the wake of his brother Ike, Edmund Jarlego willingly shared memories from his brother of Himala.  Ernesto Enrique sent be Virgie Moreno’s UP Film Center to Ilocos to document Himala had information to share.  Jun Arvin Gudoy, current chief tourism officer of Ilocos, introduced them to some extras in the stampede which led to the actual spot of the tree in the movie where Elsa saw the Virgin.  The sineguelas tree was still in the spot they left it.  Waiting for another Himala?

AUNOR, BRILLANTE WINNERS IN INTERNATIONAL FILM AWARDS


By: HENRY JAMES GO ROCA
MANILA CHANNEL
Philippine Standard News

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Source:  http://www.manilachannel.com/2012/11/25/aunor-brillante-winners-in-international-film-awards/

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The Filipino’s exceptional prowess for filmmaking again manifested itself in the recently held 6th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) at the QPAC Playhouse, Brisbane, Australia.  The awards considered as Asia-Pacific’s highest accolade in film honored two icons in Filipino cinema.

Superstar Nora Aunor and Director Brillante Mendoza were top winners in the film awards for the movie “Thy Womb”.
Per APSA’s website, Aunor won the Best Performance by an Actress accolade besting other nominees from India, South Korea, Pakistan and Russia.
Aunor’s character in the film was a barren Badjao midwife. An Achievement in Directing award was won by Brillante.
The other nominees were  Vidya Balan from India (The Dirty Picture), Cho Min-Soo from South Korea (Pieta), Humaima Malick (Bol) from Pakistan, and Darya Ekamasova from Russia (Zila bila odna baba).
Both Aunor and Brillante didn’t make it to the awards night last Friday in Brisbane, Australia because they attended the premiere of “Thy Womb” in Davao.
Another Filipino Director Marlon Rivera won the APSA Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC) Development Award.   It was learned that Rivera’s award came with a $5,000 film development price.
On the other hand, Best Screenplay nominee Chris Martinez for the film   “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank,” lost to Turkish director Reis Ƈelik for “Lal Gece.”

CHEER FACTOR: WHY NORA IS GOING BACK TO TAWI-TAWI

NORA AUNOR’s portrait at SM Lanang cinema lobby
By: BAYANI SAN DIEGO, JR.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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http://entertainment.inquirer.net/69113/cheer-factor-why-nora-is-going-back-to-tawi-tawi

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DAVAO—In the van, on her way back to the hotel after gracing the Philippine premiere of Brillante Ma. Mendoza’s “Thy Womb” on Friday night, actress Nora Aunor couldn’t contain her joy—and surprise. 

“Who knew I would win in Australia, while I was in Mindanao?” she asked. Aunor was named best actress and Mendoza, best director, at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) held in Brisbane that night. 

Apsa organizers had sent over their trophies so they could receive the honors at the premiere screening held in SM Lanang during the second Sineng Pambansa, mounted by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP). 

Bittersweet memory
 
Aunor recalled that the last time she was in this southern Philippine city decades ago, she had a jampacked concert. She recalled, sadly: “There was a stampede and a child died.” 

Mindanao was unforgettable for her, she said, and not just because of the tragedy. Last summer, when “Thy Womb” was shot in Tawi-Tawi, she grew even more fond of the region. 

“I hope to go back to Sitangkai (a Tawi-Tawi town) soon,” she said. “I promised to build a health center there.” She said she had discussed with Manny V. Pangilinan, head of her home network TV5, the possibility of aiding the province. 

“We could hold a fund-raising show for Tawi-Tawi,” she said. “I have personally set aside a small amount, P100,000, for medicines. But the people there badly need doctors and nurses, so that when a villager gets sick or gives birth, life is not necessarily put at risk. As it is, they have to take a long boat ride to the nearest hospital or clinic.” 

The Apsa trophy is Aunor’s second for “Thy Womb.” She won the Bisato D’Oro given by an independent group of critics when the film competed at the Venice fest last September. 

Mendoza, who got the La Navicella and P. Nazareno Special Mention honors at the same top-tier festival, admitted that he was initially apprehensive about filming in the south. 

The Cannes winner related: “We had heard only negative things about Tawi-Tawi, but during the 14-day shoot, we hardly even noticed the security group assigned to us. We felt at home.” 

Mendoza said he had felt strongly about making a film that would highlight the peace-loving nature of the people of Tawi-Tawi, “to empower them, to give them importance.” 

Briccio Santos, FDCP chairman, agreed that “Thy Womb” had a positive impact on the island-province. 

“The economic landscape changed for the better,” Santos noted. “Hotels are now often fully booked, and there are now four flights weekly to Tawi-Tawi (from Zamboanga), where there used to be only one. According to Tawi-Tawi Vice Governor Hadja Ruby Sahali, there will soon be an international flight from Malaysia. All of this after just one movie.” 

This was proof, Santos said, that cinema and the arts could play a significant role in the peace process.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

NORA AUNOR and COCO MARTIN

   
NORA AUNOR TO WORK WITH COCO MARTIN

By: GLAIZA JARLOC
Sun Star Manila

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Source:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/entertainment/2012/11/24/nora-aunor-work-coco-martin-254910

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SUPERSTAR Nora Aunor is looking forward to doing a movie with Prince of Independent Films Coco Martin. 

Nora said that she's a fan of Coco's acting and the latter can really deliver both in television and movies. "Excited ako na makasama si Coco. Magaling siya. Magaling na umiyak at natural na actor," she said.

The said project is believed to be under the direction of Cannes Film Festival director Brillante Mendoza.

Nora said that aside from Coco, she also wishes to work with actress Angel Locsin, "A Beautiful Affair" lead star John Lloyd Cruz and Ultimate Leading man Piolo Pascual. 

Meanwhile, the superstar is also excited to watch the restored version of her 1982 award-winning movie "Himala." 

"Gusto kong mapanood yung version nila na huli kasi alam ko na pinapalakpakan talaga daw ng tao. Yung trailer (din ay ipinapakita na) sa mga sinehan," she said.

The film received numerous awards and was the only Filipino movie that made it to the shortlist of the Best Asian Films chosen by CNN International in 2008. 

On its 30th anniversary, the restoration of Ishmael Bernal's project was made possible through a partnership between ABS-CBN Film Archive and Central Digital Lab. It is the first of 3000 plus films to be restored by the group. 

The restored version of "Himala" premiered at the 69th Venice International Film Festival last September.

After "Himala," Peque Gallaga's "Oro, Plata, Mata" was also restored and set to be shown again on November 28 at the Cinema One Originals Film Festival at the Robinson's Galleria Movie World. (Sunnex)

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By: NAP ALIP
Filipino Star News

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Source: http://www.filipinostarnews.net/entertainment/hot-shots/coco-excited-over-possible-teamup-with-nora-in-movie.html

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Coco Martin said he is excited to learn the possibility that he is going to team up with Nora Aunor in a movie. At first, he thought it was mere rumor. But later Coco heard from Nora herself that there’s such a project in the pipeline.  Coco was elated by Nora’s statement.

“To star with today’s most versatile, popular young actor will be a big honor to me. I’ve seen his films, TV shows at talagang ang husay niya at ang lakas ng appeal,” Nora was quoted as saying.

Coco vows to showcase his acting craft once the filming begins. He knows that Nora, the recipient of CNN’s Asian Actress of All Times, is considered the greatest Filipina actress ever to hit the screen.

“For sure, I”ll learn a lot working with her, particularly on facial expressions and restrained performance na tatak niya. If I team up with her, I’d be fulfilled as an actor,” Coco said.

As of this writing, there was no certainty yet who’ll meg the film. But someone told us that Star Cinema would most probably co-produced it.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Nora Aunor, Brillante Mendoza adjudged the best at Asia Pacific Screen Awards

 
November 23, 2012 10:01pm

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SOURCE: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/283605/showbiz/showbizabroad/nora-aunor-brillante-mendoza-adjudged-the-best-at-asia-pacific-screen-awards

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Philippine cinema’s iconic actress Nora Aunor and internationally-acclaimed director Brillante Mendoza bagged coveted awards at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards Friday night in Brisbane, Australia.

The APSA presented Aunor with the Best Actress award, while Mendoza was cited as the Best Director for the film “Sinapupunan” (Thy Womb).

In a statement on its website, APSA said Aunor bested four nominees in the Best Performance by an Actress category. They were South Korea’s Cho Min-Soo for “Pieta”, Russia’s Darya Ekamasova for “Zila bila odna baba” (“Once Upon a Time There Lived a Simple Woman”), Pakistan’s Humaima Malick for “Bol” and India’s Vidya Balan for “The Dirty Picture.”

Brillante won over India’s Anurag Kashyap (“Gangs of Wasseypur”), China’s Cheng Er (“Lethal Hostage”), Iran’s Khosro Masoumi (“Bear”), and Turkey’s Reis Ƈelik (“Night of Silence”).

“Sinapupunan” is a story of unconditional love of a Bajau midwife coping with the irony of her own infertility amid the deprivations of her gypsy community in Tawi-Tawi.

Last September, the film won three awards at the 69th Venice International Film Festival, namely Bisato D’Oro, La Navicella or Venezia Cinema prize and the P. Nazareno Taddei Award Special Mention.

About 264 films –from India, Indonesia, Iraqi-Kurdistan, Israel, Japan, People’s Republic of China, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Taiwan, and for the first time, Iraq – joined the APSA competition.

Over 700 guests and filmmakers from across the region attended the awards night, the APSA said.
On its website, APSA states that it was established to “recognize and promote the cinematic excellence and cultural diversity of the vast Asia Pacific region.”

“Sinapupunan” will be one of the eight official entries in next month’s Metro Manila Film Festival lead-organized by the Metro Manila Development Authority.

CONGRATULATIONS! NORA AUNOR and BRILLANTE MA. MENDOZA


By: BERNIE PLACIDO

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http://www.facebook.com/NoraAunorForNationalArtist?fref=ts

6th ANNUAL ASIA PACIFIC SCREEN AWARDS WINNERS


 By STORYTELLER
Movie On

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Source:  http://movie-on.blogspot.com/2012/11/6th-annual-asia-pacific-screen-awards.html

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Best Feature Film:
Tepenin Ardi (Beyond the Hill), Emin Alper, Turkey and Greece

UNESCO Award:
Seediq Bale (Warriors of the Rainbow), Wei Te-sheng, Taiwan

Screen International Jury Grand Prizes:
Director Anurag Kashyap for Gangs of Wasseypur, India
Actress Cho Min-soo in Pieta, Kim Ki-duk, Korea

Achievement in Directing:
BRILLANTE MENDOZA for Sinapupunan (Thy Womb), Brillante Mendoza, Philippines

Best Performance by an Actress:
NORA AUNOR in SINAPUPUNAN (THY WOMB), Brillante Mendoza, Philippines

Best Performance by an Actor:
Choi Min-sik in Bumchoiwaui Junjaeng (nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time),Jong-bin Yun, Korea

Achievement in Cinematography:
Touraj Asalani for Fasle Kargadan (Rhino Season), Bahman Ghobadi, Iraqi-Kurdistan and Turkey

Best Screenplay:
Reis Celik for Lal gece (Night of Silence), Reis Celik, Turkey

Best Documentary Feature Film:
In My Mother’s Arms, Atea Al Daradji and Mohamed Al Daradji, Iraq, UK and Netherlands

Best Animation Feature Film:
Momo e no tegami (A Letter to Momo), Hiroyuki Okiura, Japan

Best Children’s Feature Film:
Launt Bercemin (The Mirror Never Lies), Kamila Andini, Indonesia

Nora Aunor Delighted Over Restored ‘Himala,’ Wins Best Performance By An Actress At APSA

Nora Aunor won the Best Performance by an Actress award
at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards
held in Brisbane, Australia yesterday, Nov. 23

By BHENJ AGUSTIN
mb.com.ph
Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation

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Source:  http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/382824/nora-aunor-delighted-over-restored-himala-wins-at-apsa#.ULECzOTZalV

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MANILA, Philippines—In an exclusive interview with broadcaster Korina Sanchez for “Rated K,” superstar Nora Aunor expressed her happiness that today’s moviegoers love her classic film, “Himala.”
“Lalo yatang kinilabutan yung mga nakapanood, sa ngayon. Yung trailer, pinapalabas na sa mga sinehan ngayon at pumapalakpak raw yata yung mga tao,” she said, referring to the technologically restored “Himala.” The actress revealed that there have been talks to do a sequel to the film.
On “Rated K,” Nora also talked about her hardships in the US including times when she had been hard up.
“Naranasan ko ‘yung, maniniwala ka, mayroong araw na hindi ako kumakain. Kasi nawalan ako ng trabaho, eh.
“Tapos minsan maglalaba ako sa States---kasi usong uso yung maghuhulog ka ng coin, tapos doon ka maglalaba---nagkulang ako ng 25 cents. Buti na lang may Pilipino roon, binigyan ako ng 25 cents.”
Asked how she felt upon learning that she could no longer sing allegedly due to a botched surgery, Nora’s eyes couldn’t help but become misty.
“Ay, umiyak ako! Tapos tinatanong ko sa kanila [doctors] ‘Bakit wala akong boses?’ Ang eksplenasyon sa akin, kasi daw lilinisin daw nila yung lungs ko dahil sa sobrang sigarilyo. Sabi ko ‘Imposible dahil ang tagal tagal ko nang naninigarilyo pero hindi nagkaganito ang boses ko,’” she said.
Another Triumph
In related news, Nora was honored yesterday by the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) that bestowed on her the c for the film “Thy Womb.” Nora won over Vidya Balan (“The Dirty Picture,” India), Cho Min-Soo (“Pieta,” South Korea), Humaima Malick (“Bol,” Pakistan) and Darya Ekamasova (“Zila bila odna baba,” Russia).
Recall that the film had also won the Bisato d’Oro at the recent Venice International Film Festival.
Set on the islands of Tawi-Tawi in Mindanao, "Thy Womb" tells the story of Shaleha as portrayed by Aunor, whose struggle to give her husband a child despite her infertility rattles a tradition-bound fishing community.

THE SIXTH ANNUAL ASIA PACIFIC SCREEN AWARD - NORA AUNOR - BEST ACTRESS


Source:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-MGiMnS1iw&feature=share

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Filipino actress Nora Aunor won the Best Actress prize in the 6th annual Asia Pacific Screen Awards held in Brisbane, Australia, Friday night together with Brillante Ma Mendoza as Best Dirctor. 

Aunor won the prize for her role in the indie movie "Thy Womb'' directed by Brillante Mendoza. 


Aunor was clearly ecstatic about her prize and the movie's latest triumph. 

She learned of the good news at the Philippine premiere of "Thy Womb'' at the second Sineng Pambansa at the SM Lanang in Davao City.

Nora Aunor, Brillante Mendoza bag top honors at Asia Pacific Screen Awards


By: InterAksyon.com

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 Source:  http://www.interaksyon.com/entertainment/nora-aunor-brillante-mendoza-bag-top-honors-at-asia-pacific-screen-awards/

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Nora Aunor and Brillante Mendoza won top honors at the prestigious 2012 Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) in Brisbane, Australia on Friday night.

The actress-director tandem behind the acclaimed film “Thy Womb” were informed of their twin triumphs while gracing the Philippine premiere of the film at the Sineng Pambansa Film Festival in Davao City.

Aunor won Best Performance by an Actress for her portrayal of a barren Badjao midwife who finds a young second wife for her husband.

Aunor bested four other nominees, namely South Korea’s Cho Min-Soo for “Pieta”, Russia’s Darya Ekamasova for “Zila bila odna baba” (“Once Upon a Time There Lived a Simple Woman”), Pakistan’s Humaima Malick for “Bol” and India’s Vidya Balan for “The Dirty Picture”.

The jury led by “The Piano” producer Jan Chapman chose Mendoza for the Achievement in Directing honors over India’s Anurag Kashyap (“Gangs of Wasseypur”), China’s Cheng Er (“Lethal Hostage”), Iran’s Khosro Masoumi (“Bear”), and Turkey’s Reis Ƈelik (“Night of Silence”).

“Thy Womb” has reaped glowing reviews from international critics since it premiered at the 69th Venice International Film Festival. It was screened to glowing reviews at the ongoing Brisbane International Film Festival just last Monday, which may have aided Mendoza’s and Aunor’s cause at APSA.

Earlier on Friday, APSA gave another Filipino filmmaker, Marlon Rivera the NETPAC Award for his directing debut, “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank”. The award — which is handed out at select international film festivals to promote Asian cinema — came with film development cash prize of $5,000.

The news was relayed by the movie’s screenwriter, Chris Martinez, who attended the APSA ceremony as a nominee. The Best Screenplay prize, however, went to Turkey’s Reis Ƈelik for “Night of Silence”.

In September, “Thy Womb” won three special awards in Venice: Bisato D’Oro for Aunor, and the La Navicella or Venezia Cinema prize and the P. Nazareno Taddei Award Special Mention for Mendoza.

InterAksyon.com

Aunor, Mendoza win top prizes in Asia Pacific awards


By Bayani San Diego Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Source:  http://entertainment.inquirer.net/68689/nora-aunor-is-best-actress-in-asia-pacific-screen-awards

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MANILA, Philippines—Filipino actress Nora Aunor won the best actress prize while Brillante Mendoza bagged the best director award for “Thy Womb” in the 6th annual Asia Pacific Screen Awards held in Brisbane, Australia, Friday night. 

Mendoza and Aunor were clearly ecstatic about their movie’s latest triumph. 

“After winning abroad, we hope our countrymen would become more curious to watch our films so that indie films will be recognized not only by foreigners, but by Filipinos well,” said Mendoza. 

Founded in 2007, the Asia Pacific Screen Awards seeks to “recognize and promote cinematic excellence and cultural diversity in the vast Asia-Pacific region … and is considered as the region’s highest accolade in film.” 

All APSA winners and nominees are inducted into the Asia Pacific Screen Academy. They are some of the most respected names in film from the region. 

Four years ago, Ishmael Berna’s “Himala,” which also starred Aunor, won the CNN APSA Viewers’ Choice award for best Asia-Pacific film of all time. 

Aunor and Mendoza were informed of the good news while at the Philippine premiere of “Thy Womb,” held during the second Sineng Pambansa at the SM Lanang in Davao City. 

They chose to hold the local premiere of “They Womb” in Davao because the film was set in Tawi-Tawi.
Both Aunor and Mendoza fell in love with the island-province and have dedicated the film’s many triumphs to its “gentle, peace-loving” people. 

Co-star Mercedes Cabral also graced the Davao screening, 

APSA celebrates “the finest, bravest and most audacious cinema in the region,” according to its web site.
Chris Martinez, who attended the event in Brisbane, told the Inquirer that Marlon Rivera, the director of “Septic Tank,” was awarded the APSA Netpac award which comes with a film development cash prize of $5,000. 

In September, “Thy Womb” won three awards at the 69th Venice International Film Festival: Bisato D’Oro, La Navicella or Venezia Cinema prize and the P. Nazareno Taddei Award Special Mention.

Nora Aunor is Best Actress in Asia Pacific Screen Awards


By: BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR. 
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Source:  http://entertainment.inquirer.net/68689/nora-aunor-is-best-actress-in-asia-pacific-screen-awards?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

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MANILA, Philippines–Filipino actress Nora Aunor won the best actress prize in the 6th annual Asia Pacific Screen Awards held in Brisbane, Australia, Friday night. 

Aunor won the prize for her role in the indie movie “Thy Womb’’ directed by Brillante Mendoza.
Aunor was clearly ecstatic about her prize and the movie’s latest triumph. 

She learned of the good news at the Philippine premiere of “Thy Womb’’ at the second Sineng Pambansa at the SM Lanang in Davao City.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

AN APPEAL FOR SUPPORT



(The following is a letter from Brillante M. Mendoza, a Kapampangan film maker hailed as Best Director in the 2009 Cannes Film Festival. Mendoza’s latest flick “Thy Womb” is an official entry in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival.)

Mahal kong kaibigan sa media,


Salamat sa suporta nyo sa independent cinema. Sana maisulat nyo po ang “Thy Womb” na ipapalabas na sa December 25, 2012.

THY WOMB

Ang pelikulang umani ng papuri sa mga kritiko sa loob at labas ng bansa ay isa sa mga tampok na pelikula sa Metro Manila Film Festival sa Disyembre 25, 2012. Ito ang pelikulang pinangungunahan ng nag-iisang superstar na si Nora Aunor kasama ang mahuhusay na artistang sina Bembol Roco, Lovi Poe, at Mercedes Cabral.

Matapos ang kanyang mahabang pamamahinga sa showbiz, muling ipinakita ni Nora Aunor ang kanyang walang kupas na husay sa pagganap sa kakaibang karakter.

Sa pelikulang “Thy Womb” ay ginampanan ni Nora at Bembol ang papel ng mag-asawang Badjao na hindi magka-anak. At dahil dito, ay humanap sila ng pangalawang asawa ni Bembol na makapagbibigay sa kanilang anak.

Naaayon sa tradisyon ng mga Muslim ang pagkakaroon ng higit sa isang asawa. Subalit ang kuwentong pelikula ay tumalakay sa mas malalim pa na isyung pagpaparaya at pagsasakripisyo.
Ang “Thy Womb” ay unang pelikulang pinagsamahan ng “internationally-acclaimed” director na si Brillante Mendoza at superstar Nora Aunor.

“Sana ay tangkilikin ito ng bawat Pilipinong manonood dahil sa ito ay makabuluhang kuwento tungkol sa ating mga kapatid na Muslim sa Mindanao”, ani Mendoza.

Si Nora naman ay panay ang papuri at paghanga ang mga salita para kay Brillante. “Ibang klase syang mag-direk. Hinahamon niya ang kakayahan ng artista at pinalalabas niya ang husay nito sa bawat eksena. Wala syang binibigay na script kaya mapipilitan kang mag-isip at humugot sa sarili mong kakayahan”, sabi ng superstar.

Ang “Thy Womb” ay kinunan at ginawa mismo saTawi-Tawi at ipinakita dito ang simple at tahimik na pamumuhay ng mga Badjao. Makikita din sa pelikula ang makapigil-hiningang ganda ng mga tanawin at ang makulay at kakaibang kultura ng mga nakatira saTawi-tawi.

Dahil sa isyung kapayapaan sa Mindanao, ang “Thy Womb” ay isang pelikulang napapanahon at dapat tangkilikin ng mga manonood sa darating na Metro Manila Film Festival.
Muli po akong nagpapasalamat sa inyo.


Sumasainyo,


Brillante M. Mendoza
Best Director, 2009 Cannes Film Festival

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From: 
Headline Gitnang Luzon, November 23, 2012