IN just four days, “Balangiga: Howling Wilderness” took home two best picture trophies. The latest one is from the Gawad Urian Awards 2018 last Thursday at the ABS-CBN Vertis Tent. The film was also adjudged best picture in Sunday’s Famas.
Aside from best film, “Balangiga” also won best music for Khavn de la Cruz, the film’s director and co-writer, at the Urian.
But it was “Respeto” that garnered the most awards: best actor trophy for rapper Abra, best supporting actor for Dido de la Paz, best editing and best sound.
Both “Balangiga” and “Respeto” have Bisaya connections. The former was co-written by former SunStar Cebu columnist Achinette Villamor while Chai Fonacier co-stars in the latter.
“Ang Larawan,” the best picture winner in the Metro Manila Film Festival 2017, received two awards: best actress for Joanna Ampil and best production design.
Odette Khan won best supporting actress for “Bar Boys,” an award she also won at the Famas.
Here are the rest of the winners:
* Best director - Arnel Barbarona, “Tu Pug Imatuy”
* Best screenplay - Christopher Gozum, “Dapol Tan Payawar Na Tayug 1931”
* Best cinematography - Mycko David, “Neomanila”
* Best documentary - Victor Delotavo Tagaro & Toshihiko Uriu, “Yield”
* Best short film - Kiri Dalena, “Gikan sa Ngitngit nga Kinailadman”
* Natatanging Gawad Urian - Winston Raval