Nora Aunor feted with Lifetime Achievement Award by Singkuwento Film Festival

By Edwin P. Sallan

InterAksyon.com

February 28, 2016

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Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/entertainment/nora-aunor-feted-with-lifetime-achievement-award-by-singkuwento-film-festival/

Images: Erickson Dela Cruz

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Already the recipient of numerous honors for a distinguished career spanning five decades, Superstar Nora Aunor received another Lifetime Achievement Award, this time from the fledgling Singkuwento International Film Festival.

The 62-year-old actress collected this latest accolade during the festival’s awarding ceremonies Saturday night at the the Leandro Locsin Theater at the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts Building in Intramuros, Manila.

In addition to thanking the film festival, the NCCA, filmmakers, producers and the media people who remained faithful to her, La Aunor dedicated the award to her loyal Noranians.

“I didn’t plan any of the great phase[s] that happened in my life. I take each day as it comes because I really believe that dreams could change, people change, plans change. I know that not all our wishes can come true. In my humble case, I know I wouldn’t be here if not for my loyal fans. I owe them everything I have. They inspire me to do more. They inspire me to be the best that I can be. Thank you to all my fans for making Nora Aunor a lasting reality,” she declared in an emotional acceptance speech.

The actress also fondly referred to as Ate Guy already had lifetime achievement awards from the FAMAS, the Gawad Urian, the Film Academy of the Philippines, the Cinemanila International Film Festival, the Cinema One Originals (Legend award) and just last year, the ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards.

Aunor was however, deprived of what many consider as the ultimate recognition for an artist of her stature. Despite the recommendation of the NCCA, President Noynoy Aquino refused to proclaim her as National Artist in 2014 due to her implication in a drug case in the U.S.

As Aquino’s term ends this year, there is still hope for the actress to be proclaimed National Artist by the country’s next president. The selection process for National Artists is conducted every two to three years.

‘Dementia’ packs a solid emotional wallop

Film Frview:  DEMENTIA

By Eric T. Cabahug

InterAksyon.com

“Dementia is that rare Filipino horror drama that packs a solid emotional wallop. You won’t forget it soon after leaving the theater. A lot of it has to do with debuting filmmaker Perci Intalan’s mostly firm grip on his material and his relatively sophisticated approach in presenting it.”

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Source:  http://www.interaksyon.com/entertainment/review-dementia-packs-a-solid-emotional-wallop/

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“Dementia” is that rare Filipino horror drama that packs a solid emotional wallop. You won’t forget it soon after leaving the theater.

A lot of it has to do with debuting filmmaker Perci Intalan’s mostly firm grip on his material and his relatively sophisticated approach in presenting it. The former TV5 executive does not reinvent the horror wheel by any means. Rather he spins it very deftly and very efficiently all around.

So that when the all-too familiar scares, or scare tactics, come, and there are plenty (candles blowing out by themselves, doors shutting on their own, ghosts appearing from behind, ghosts coming at people very deliberately, menacingly), each serves its purpose of providing genuine jolts.

But jolts alone do not an effective horror movie make. Environment and atmosphere are the real keys. And here is where Intalan’s bigger achievement lies.

With excellent work by his cinematographer, production designer, and musical scorer, he was able to provide the kind of space of building mystery and escalating dread that the tale his writers gave him required.

This is fully captured in the main friction that drives and ignites the movie — its vision of Batanes, where the story is set, as a place of terrifying wintry beauty and the fiery psychological wounds that consume the heart and mind of the story’s central character.

That would be Mara, an elderly woman grappling with an early onset of dementia that leaves her unable to remember much. But when a (literal and figurative) ghost from her traumatic distant past comes to haunt her and the only living family she has, the memories come crashing violently like strong waves hitting the jagged rocks along Batanes’ seaside cliffs.

Nora Aunor totally matches the swirling forces of nature on display throughout the movie with a dervish of a performance that involves very little spoken dialogue.

It’s mostly ferociously internal until the devastating climax where, still wordless, her face erupts into a panorama of heartbreak, anguish, sorrow, guilt, regret, terror, and, finally, resignation and surrender. It’s unforgettable.

The movie is far from perfect and the epilogue, which either affirms the story’s vision or turns it on its head, may be too ambiguous for its own good. No matter. “Dementia,” anchored by another genius turn from Aunor under Intalan’s surefooted, confident direction, will stay with you.

REVIEW | ‘Ang Kwento ni Mabuti’ is an excellent but challenging morality tale

By Eric T. Cabahug

InterAksyon.com

Monday, September 23, 2013 · 8:38 pm

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Source:  http://www.interaksyon.com/entertainment/review-ang-kwento-ni-mabuti-is-an-excellent-but-challenging-morality-tale/

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Nora Aunor’s new film, Mes de Guzman’s “Ang Kwento Ni Mabuti,” is an excellent companion piece to her previous movie, Brillante Mendoza’s international award-winner “Thy Womb.”

Both are portraits of women in life-changing crises that test their tenacity and character. But while “Thy Womb” ultimately tugs at the heart, “Ang Kwento ni Mabuti” coalesces in the mind.

Which is to say that De Guzman’s CineFilipino entry is an even more challenging, demanding piece.

For one, it has an even more deliberate pace than the Mendoza opus. It’s also quieter and much less colorfully ethnographic.

“Mabuti” is also more of a character study. And it takes pains and considerable time painting a picture of Mabuti as this sunny, good-natured, cheerful, kind, helpful, hardworking, firm-footed, tenacious Everywoman who embodies the best in the Pinoy spirit.

She is a hilot in a remote village who gets thrown off her bearings when she discovers a big stash of cash inside her bag on the bus ride back to her village after a rare trip to the city.

The money is an unexpected gift, like manna from heaven, that couldn’t have come at a more opportune time.

Mabuti and her family (mother and four grandchildren) are facing eviction from its small property over unpaid taxes. Additionally, Mabuti’s two grown children are having difficulty making sufficient strides on their own to support their children, much less guarantee a good future for them.

It’s the story of Job with a twist. Instead of losing everything, Mabuti is suddenly given the key to everything. But the question of whether it’s right and proper for her to use somebody else’s money that was entrusted to her for a different purpose eats at the morally upright Mabuti.

If all this sounds rather high-minded, it’s because it is. Mes de Guzman is that kind of filmmaker.

And his adherence to spare, naturalistic, life-like presentation (he wrote the screenplay as well) gives the film a certain chilliness that provides a very interesting contrast, and friction, to the story’s sun-kissed setting — the highlands of Nueva Vizcaya.

The result is an excellent film that’s very easy to admire but not as easy to embrace on a gut level.

As for La Aunor, she turns in another miracle of a performance. It’s perfectly calibrated athough more economical than her celebrated turn as Shaleha in “Thy Womb”, but no less startling.

NORA AUNOR CELEBRATES 60TH BIRTHDAY WITH CAREER RETROSPECTIVE

By Edwin P. Sallan

InterAksyon.com

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

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http://www.interaksyon.com/entertainment/gallery-nora-aunor-celebrates-60th-birthday-with-career-retrospective/

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For Nora Aunor’s 60th birthday celebration, the entire Meralco Multi-Purpose Hall was transformed into a virtual museum as posters of her classic films — including “Guy & Pip”, “”Kastilyong Buhangin”, “Andrea, Paano Ba Ang Maging Isang Ina?”, “Atsay”, “My Bugoy Goes To Congress” and “Himala” — adorned the lobby and the hallway leading to the ballroom proper.

Songs recorded and popularized by La Aunor — such as her famous renditions of Hawaiian classics like “Blue Hawaii”, “Tiny Bubbles” and “Pearly Shells”, plus her version of Cinderella’s Manila Sound standard, “Superstar Ng Buhay Ko” — were also playing in the background prior to the start of the program.

Likewise, giant blow-up photos of the prized actress from various stages of her career spanning six decades enveloped the ballroom as well as a full-house of longtime fans, family members, friends, well-wishers and members of the media were on hand to celebrate another milestone in the life and times of the one and only Superstar.

The fast-paced and highly entertaining program dubbed as “Nora at 60: Superstar Noon, Ngayon at Bukas”, hosted by comedian Arnell Ignacio, began with an emotional opening prayer from Ate Guy’s adopted daughter, Matet de Leon.

“Hindi man perpekto ang pamilya namin, nagpapasalamat pa rin kami at binigyan n’yo kami ng isang mapagmahal na ina. Kahit minsan hindi po namin siya nadadalaw, alam naman po niya na kasama siya sa prayers namin. Mahal na mahal na mahal ka po namin,” Matet intoned.

When Arnell finally called La Aunor, she was escorted onstage by “Himala” screenwriter Ricky Lee. Immediately, she thanked TV5 for organizing her birthday celebration. “Sila po ang nagbigay ng ating salo-salo ngayong gabi,” she noted.

As Arnell bantered with Ate Guy, he observed the presence of other reporters from other networks and mused, “Iba ka talaga! Ikaw lang ang makakapagpunta ng representante ng bawat channel sa isang gathering!”

An audio-visual presentation detailing the career highlights of the Iriga-born phenomenon were then presented onscreen covering the many phases of her career — from winning singing contests like the “Darigold Jamboree” and “Tawag ng Tanghalan”, her well-loved loveteam with Tirso Cruz III, her long-running TV show, “Superstar”, her transformation as an award-winning actress all the way to her triumphant return from the US to her new home network, TV5.

Well-wishers who videotaped birthday messages for the Superstar included son Ian de Leon, ex-husband Christopher de Leon, former in-law Pilita Corrales, former leading man Cocoy Laurel, “Superstar” choreographer Geleen Eugenio, former manager Boy Abunda, “Thy Womb” director Brillante Mendoza, Ricky Lee, and colleagues Gabby Concepcion, Gary Valenciano, Eric Quizon, Dawn Zulueta, Alice Dixson, Judy Ann Santos and the hosts of “Good Morning Club”.

“Happy birthday! Senior citizen ka na!,” cracked Ian De Leon. “Huwag mong pababayaan ang sarili mo at ‘yung schedule mo.”

“The reason why I do what I do is first and foremost, tagahanga ako ni Ate Guy,” Abunda confessed.

Curiously, Lotlot De Leon, Nora’s other daughter was neither at the event nor recorded a videotaped message for her. Same with German Moreno, a longtime friend and co-host of Ate Guy in “Superstar”.

The event was also not without its share of entertainment as Kapatid stars Edgar Allan Guzman, Eula Caballero, Vin Abrenica and Nadine Samonte regaled the birthday celebrant and the rest of the audience with an energetic dance number to the tune of Hotdog’s “Annie Batungbakal”, from one of Nora’s famous musical films.

John Rendez, a longtime close friend of Ate Guy, also serenaded the actress with his rap number “There Can Only Be One”, while Morissette Amon, Gerald Santos, “Kanta Pilipinas” champion Chadleen Lacdo-o and Jaya also performed musical numbers.

The trailer from Nora’s latest movie, “Ang Kuwento ni Mabuti”, was also previewed as director Mes De Guzman expressed optimism that his non-traditional approach will be accepted by fans.

“Sana magustuhan po ninyo kahit experimental ang treatment ko dito at hindi traditional,” the director said.

Probably the biggest highlight of the celebration was the presence of Ate Guy’s longtime fans, many of whom are also now in their 60s. Coming from various parts of the country, these fans waited in line at the venue for as early as 4PM and bore gifts which they personally presented to Nora herself in their emotional meeting.

One even gave Ate Guy a big folding bed that prompted Arnell to once again exclaim, “Iba ka nga talaga! Ikaw lang ang artista ang nire-regaluhan ng kama sa birthday niya!”

As the theme of the celebration is about Nora’s past, present and future, director Joel Lamangan and TV5 business unit head JoAnn Bañaga went up the stage and announced a new project that will revive the Guy and Pip tandem.

Dubbed as “When I Fall In Love”, the upcoming series will also star Marvin Agustin, Akihiro Blanco, Karel Marquez and Nadine Samonte and will be directed by Lamangan himself.

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60 TREASURES FOR THE SUPER 60TH BIRTHDAY

PHOTOS

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 Çelik (“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 Çelik 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.

Nora Aunor mania rages this December with ‘Himala’ in HD, 2 MMFF entries

Nora Aunor in 'Thy Womb'

By ARNEL RAMOS

InterAksayon.com

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Source:  http://www.interaksyon.com/entertainment/nora-aunor-mania-rages-this-december-with-himala-in-hd-2-mmff-entries/

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Noramania rages this December with four Nora Aunor-centric events that will send the whole town talking.

In celebration of Ishmael Bernal’s hypnotic 1982 classic “Himala” turning 30 this year, a restored version of the film that starred Nora Aunor in her most iconic role will be exhibited at the Cinema One Originals film festival in early December.

Jointly restored by the ABS-CBN Film Archive and Central Digital Lab. Inc., this “Himala”  in HD (high definition) premiered at the 69^th Venice International Film Festival last September.

“Himala” features one of the superstar’s most iconic roles, that of the bogus visionary Elsa. It was on the set of “Himala” in Ilocos that its screenwriter Ricky Lee met the legendary actress for the first time.

“I was already a fan back then,” Lee told InterAksyon via email, “kasi superstar na siya noon, samantalang ako kabago-bago ko lang sa movies. Since I was the one who chose her to be Elsa in ‘Himala,’ siyempre I was praying that she would say ‘yes’ to the project so when she said ‘yes,’ that was heaven-sent.”

Aunor and Lee would become lifelong friends but not right there on the set of “Himala”.

“I would often go to the set in Ilocos and I would see her,” recalls the screenwriter. “Mahiyain siya at tahimik, nakaupo lang sa isang tabi, walang kaarte-arte, parang hindi superstar. Eh ako mahiyain din, kaya halos ‘di kami nagkakausap. It was only later when we did ‘Andrea’ (in 1990) together that we became good friends at mabilis kaming nagkasundo.”

Coinciding with “Himala” in HD’s Venice premiere was the inclusion of “Thy Womb,” Nora’s first film with internationally acclaimed Pinoy filmmaker Dante Mendoza, in the main competition category in the prestigious fesatival.

After being shut out of the eight official entries in the annual Metro Manila Film Festival, “Thy Womb” ended up joining the festival anyway. It took over the slot vacated by “Kwento ni Lola Basyang” which backed out from the race.

This means that Aunor has two MMFF entries this year. She also appears in a guest role as the second wife of Emilio Aguinaldo in the biopic “El Presidente.”

On television, Nora just won a Best TV Drama Actress award from the Philippine Movie Press Club for “Sa Ngalan Ng Ina,” her first project with her new home network TV5 and also her last collaboration with the late esteemed director, Mario O’Hara.

Nora likewise shines in a small yet integral part as a fairy queen in TV5’s well-received fantasy series “Enchanted Garden.”

She may have had ups and downs in her lengthy and checkered career as a movie queen but Nora continues to be relevant and timeless. She has, in fact, ceased to be merely iconic. Nora Aunor has become immortal.

Nora Aunor in 'Himala'

Ricky Lee tries to explain his dear friend’s enduring appeal.

“She will always be a beautiful enigma to all of us. Sometimes the audience and her fans feel that they already know her very well, but the next instance she proves to be as mysterious as ever. She has retained that mystique that keeps you asking for more from her, that keeps you wanting to know her more and more.

“She makes you feel like she is just like your ordinary neighbor, na kapantay mo lang siya, pero at the same time you also feel that she is above there, brilliant and unreachable. She combines the uncombinable. She makes you feel that everything good is possible.”

Nora’s current manager, Noel Ferrer, offers: “She has defied the conventions of a star and has given the term a new meaning and elevated it to a level that no one in Philippine show business has ever achieved.”