38th Gawad Urian winners announced tonight

The 38th Gawad Urian Awards will be held tonight at the Kia Theater in Cubao, Quezon City.

Easily the most exciting part of the awards night is the acting category where there are quite a number of contenders.

For Best Actress, the nominees are Nora Aunor (“Taklub”), Angeli Bayani (“Iisa”), Mercedes Cabral (“Da Dog Show”), Alessandra De Rossi (“Bambanti”), Annika Dolonius (“Apocalypse Child”), Jennylyn Mercado (“Walang Forever”), Ces Quesada (“Imbisibol”) and LJ Reyes (“Anino sa Likod ng Buwan”).

For Best Actor, the contenders are Luis Alandy (“Anino Sa Likod ng Buwan”), John Arcilla (“Heneral Luna”), John Lloyd Cruz (“A Second Chance”), John Lloyd Cruz (“Honor Thy Father”), Ricky Davao (“Dayang Asu”), Anthony Falcon (“Anino sa Likod ng Buwan”), Francisco Guinto (“Ari: My Life with a King”), Sid Lucero (“Apocalypse Child”), Jun Jun Quintana (“Water Lemon”), Jericho Rosales (“Walang Forever”), Dennis Trillo (“Felix Manalo”) and Lou Veloso (“Da Dog Show”).

It is hard to predict the winners at Gawad Urian since they always come up with surprises. Good luck to all the nominees.

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The film “Ku’te,” produced by PRO.PRO with story and direction by Ronaldo “Roni” M. Bertubin and screenplay by Romualdo Avellanosa, celebrates a different kind of love as it participates in the World Premieres Film Festival Philippines.

“Ku'te” tells about the relationship of Emong, a hardworking young man who works as a production assistant and his sister, LenLen, a girl with Down Syndrome. Johan Santos plays the role of  Emong and Marielle Therese, who is really afflicted with Down Syndrome, plays LenLen.

Johan shares of his role: “It was very challenging for me on two major levels, first is being the brother of LenLen. During the whole course of the shooting, Marielle as LenLen was cooperative, kind, sweet, no tantrums whatsoever. I give credit to her mom who takes good care of her. Second was my character. Emong is gay and he’s hopelessly devoted and in love with Roldan, played by Nico Gomez.”

Nico shares, “More than the subplot of our love story, the most important love celebrated and embraced in this movie is the love that Emong and LenLen share. It was both an eye-opener and heart- warming. No other love can come close to the love that this brother and sister share.”

Direk Roni wishes that people will support “Ku’te,” which also stars Maya Samson as Meding and Adrian Ramirez as Jeff.

“This is my dream. Pangarap kong sana mabigyan ng pantay na pagkakataon ang lahat, sana makita ang kakayahan ni Marielle, maramdaman ang kanyang pangarap. Mata at puso ang gumagalaw sa kanyang inosenteng pananaw sa lahat."

“I pray that this movie opens a lot of eyes and stirs a lot of hearts. Lahat ay may pantay na karapatan at tayo, who are supposedly normal and able, we must not only embrace and love people with Down Syndrome, it is imperative that we defend and protect them from people who are abusive and capable of doing evil deeds to the differently-abled,” Direk Roni adds.

Supporting Direk Roni in realizing his advocacy film are Bounty Fresh (Chooks to Go ), Wang Chu King Foundation (Mighty Corporation) Don Benito’s and Rebisco.

The World Premieres Film Festival Philippines, mounted and organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), will be held from June 29 to July 10.

This distinct film festival highlights cinematic achievements from countries all over the world through film cultural exchange partnerships with the FDCP. It is the next step in FDCP’s Film Cultural Exchange Program whereby FDCP partners with Embassies and their cultural arms in the country for events showcasing the cinemas of various nations. 

The official screening schedules of “Ku’te” are on July 1 (6 p.m.) Gala Premiere, SM North EDSA Cinema; July 3 (7 p.m.), SM North EDSA Cinema; July 4 (7 p.m.) SM North EDSA Cinema; July 7 (5 p.m.) SM Megamall Cinema ; July 8 (5 p.m.) SM Megamall Cinema and July 10 (7 p.m.) SM Megamall Cinema.

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GFOXX International Inc. was officially launched in June 2015, borne out of the alliance and synergy of remarkable business leaders and visionaries from Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines. The company is founded by David Tan as CEO and President and John Ernest Fernandez as co-founder and Vice President.

The company just celebrated its first anniversary at the Grand Ballroom of Crowne Plaza Hotel last June 11, Saturday. Among the guest performers were Roan Isaac of “The Voice Kids” and Quest, an OPM R&B artist.

The company received Seal of Excellence Awards – Consumers Quality Awards (2016 Best Health and Anti-Oxidant herbal drink – XSEED) and Best Brand Excellence Awards (2016 Best Weight Management Herbal Jelly – ALGICLEANZ).

It also received the Golden Globe Annual Awards for Business Excellence (Best Cosmetic Product Brand –Airlift Cushion Foundation).

GFOXX has set its goal to expand its distribution network globally, and establish an entrepreneurial platform which offers a unique financially rewarding program for any individual to pursue financial freedom and personal wellness.