MANILA, Philippines – Actress Maja Salvador and actor Paulo Avelino were awarded with top acting honors at the 2012 Gawad Urian Awards. Salvador on Wednesday was awarded Best Actress for her titular role in independent film “Thelma,” while Avelino won Best Actor honors for his role in Cinemalaya film “Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa.”
Aside from “Thelma” and “Sayaw,” which dominated the 35th Gawad Urian awards night, other independent films also figured in the ceremony held at the AFP Theater in Camp Aguinaldo:
- Best Sound: “Amok” – Albert Michael Idioma and Addiss Tabong
- Best Screenplay: “Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa” – Alvin Yapan
- Best Editing: “Amok” – Lawrence Fajardo
- Best Music: “Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa” – Christine Muyco and Jema Pamintuan
- Best Cinematography: “Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa” – Arvin Viola
- Best in Production Design: “The Natural Phenomenon of Madness” – Maulen Fadul
- Best Supporting Actress: Jean Garcia – “Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa”
- Best Supporting Actor: Art Acuña – “Niño”
- Best Actress: Maja Salvador – “Thelma”
- Best Actor: Paulo Avelino – “Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa”
- Best Film: “Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa” – Vim Yapan/Alem Chua Production in cooperation with Big Top Media Productions, Inc., SQ Film Laboratories, Inc., Optima Digital and Far Eastern University
- Best Director: Alvin Yapan – “Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa”
- Best Documentary: Jewel Maranan’s “Tundong Magiliw”
- Best Short Film: Kim Carmelo’s “Sirip”
A special award, “Natatanging Gawad Urian,” was also given to cinematographer Rody Lacap for his contribution to the local film-making industry through his works including “Itim,” “Kisapmata” and “Oro Plata Mata.”
Salvador, whose Gawad Urian award is her first, is set to star in upcoming drama series “Ina, Kapatid, Anak,” alongside actress Kim Chiu, and actors Enchong Dee and Xian Lim.
Avelino continues to play the antagonistic role of Nathan in top-rating series “Walang Hanggan,” which airs weeknights during ABS-CBN’s Primetime Bida block.
The Gawad Urian, held since 1977, is given out by the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (MPP), a group of movie critics.
