How The Horse galloped in 2014

The Year of the Horse was unlike any other.

It was the year of the most number of showbiz weddings, with those of Boots Anson-Roa and lawyer Francisco “King” Rodrigo (in June) and Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes (on Tuesday, Dec. 30) leading the merry march down the aisle.

Other weddings: Drew Arellano and Iya Villania (January); Karylle and Yael Yuzon (March); Miriam Quiambao and Christian author Ardy Roberto (March), Jericho Rosales and Kim Jones (May); and Bianca Gonzalez and JC Intal, Aiza Seguerra and Liza Diño, and Chito Miranda and Neri Naig, all in December.

Next year’s wedding march will be led by Heart Evangelista and Sen. Chiz Escudero, including (just possibly because they have announced their intentions) John Prats and Isabel Oli, Patrick Garcia and non-showbiz girlfriend Nikka Martinez (mom of their child Chelsea), Solenn Heussaff and Argentinian/businessman boyfriend Nico Bolzico, Yeng Constantino and Victor Asuncion (worship director at Victory Christian Fellowship)…and Toni Gonzaga/Paul Soriano, Vic Sotto/Pauline Luna, Charice/Alyssa Quijano, and Zsa Zsa Padilla/Conrad Onglao (if they ever will).

It was the Year of Children “conceived in liberty”: Ara Mina gave birth to her and Bulacan (Bulacan) Mayor Patrick Meneses, with her sister Cristine Reyes following soon with her and athlete-boyfriend Ali Khatibi’s “joint venture.” And Melissa Ricks, too.

It was the Year of the Child: While children around the world (Pakistan, Australia and the Philippines included) were molested and killed without mercy, their counterparts lorded over the entertainment industry, topbilled in teleseryes (David Remo, Izzy Canillo, Mona Louise Rey, Barbara Miguel and, of course, Ryzza Mae Dizon, among them).

It was a sad year, with some showbiz denizens making a final exit, including Roldan Aquino (in January); Mang Gerry (Regine Velasquez’s father), Roy Alvarez and Tado, all in February; Ramil Rodriguez in May; Mark Gil in October; and Elaine Cuneta (Sharon Cuneta’s mom) in November.

It was annus horribilis for Sharon Cuneta who, aside from losing her mom, had her contract with Kapatid Network TV5 prematurely terminated. Also a bad year for Aljur Abrenica who “bit the hands that fed him” by suing the Kapuso Network. But it was a good year for JM de Guzman who successfully kicked a drug habit and made a much-awaited comeback.

It was the year when Vhong Navarro hogged headlines for the whole world knows what for. And Billy Crawford, too.

It was the year of the sex videos gone viral, with Paolo Bediones as the latest victim.

It was the year of aborted romance, with Kris Aquino and Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista as the “casualties.”

It was a year of bountiful harvest in international film festivals.

• Vilma Santos, Best Actress, Ekstra, 13th Dhaka International Film Festival, Bangladesh, Jan. 18;

• Brillante Mendoza, “Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres” (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters), French Government, Jan. 23. Golden Cyclo of Honor (Cycle d’Or), 20th FICA-Vesoul International Film Festival for Asian Cinema, France, Feb. 18. His film Thy Womb won Audience Favorite Award, third New Filipino Cinema Festival, Yerba Buena Arts Center, Los Angeles, California, USA, June 26.

• Sandy Talag, Best Actress, Lilet Never Happened, sixth Jaipur International Film Festival, India, Feb. 5.

• Rekorder by Mikhail Red, Prix Spécial du Jury Prix (Special Jury Prize) and Best Film Music, 31st Annonay International Film Festival (Festival International du Premier Film d’Annonay), France, Feb. 17. Ronnie Quizon, El Rey Award for Excellence in Acting, fourth Barcelona International Film Festival, Spain, June 19. Mikhail Red, Excellent Asia-Pacific Young Director, 14th Gwangju International Film Festival, South Korea, Sept. 1; and Best New Director, 33rd Vancouver International Film Festival, Canada, Oct. 3.

• Quick Change by Eduardo Roy Jr., Internet Press Award, 20th FICA-Vesoul International Film Festival for Asian Cinema (Festival international des cinémas d’Asie de Vesoul), France, Feb. 18; Lili Award for Best Feature Film, 29th Mix Copenhagen/LesbianGayBiTrans Film Festival, Denmark, Oct. 12; and NETPAC (Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema) Award, 51st Taipei Golden Horse Festival, Taiwan, Nov. 19. Miggs Cuaderno, Best Actor, 20th Chéries-Chéris Film Festival, Paris, Dec. 2.

Lav Diaz

• Joseph Israel Laban, Honorable Mention, Director Narrative Feature, Nuwebe, fourth Queens World Film Festival, Long Island City, New York, USA, March 9. Nuwebe, Internet Award for Best Feature, 12th Tirana International Film Festival, Albania, Nov. 9.

• Shift by Siege Ledesma, Grand Prix Award (Best Picture), ninth Osaka Asian Film Festival, Japan, March 16.

• Debosyon by Alvin Yapan, Honorable Mention for Outstanding International Feature, 14th RealWorld Film Festival, Toronto, Canada, April 6.

• First Match by Miguel Luis Calayan, Best Short Film, fifth Grand Rapids Film Festival, Michigan, USA, April 13.

• Barber’s Tales by Jun Robles Lana, Crystal Mulberry Award (Third Place), Audience Award, 16th Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy, May 3; and Best Director, third Madrid International Film Festival, Spain, July 19. Lana, Best Screenplay for Bwakaw, 14th Pyongyang International Film Festival, North Korea, Sept. 24.

• Milkyboy by Arnold Arre, finalist, sixth Golden Kuker-Sofia International Animation Film Festival, Bulgaria, May 10; and Linda Mabalot New Directors/New Visions Award – Short Film, 30th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, California, USA, May 11.  

• Ang Huling Cha-cha ni Anita by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo, Volunteer of the Year Award, Frameline38: San Francisco LGBT Film Festival, USA, June 29.

• Mula Sa Kung Ano Ang Noon by Lav Diaz, Pardo d’oro (Golden Leopard), FIPRESCI International Critics Prize, IFFS’ Don Quixote Prize and Environment is Quality of Life Prize; Hazel Orencio, Boccalino d’Oro Independent Critics Award for Best Actress, 67th Locarno International Film Festival, Switzerland, Aug. 16; Audience Award/Best International Film, 38th Sao Paulo International Film Festival, Brazil, Oct. 29.

• Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan by Lav Diaz, Audience Award, fifth Festival Internacional de Cine de Murcia, Spain, July 8; and Best Film, first Pan?evo Film Festival, Serbia, Sept. 7. Considered for Best Foreign Language Film in 87th Academy Awards (Oscars) and in 72nd Golden Globes. (Diaz is one of the honorees of Film Society of Lincoln Center, New York, USA, Sept.-Oct.; and one of the 11 laureates of Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development, Amsterdam, Dec. 10.)

• Kamkam by Joel Lamangan, Best Film, ninth Harlem International Film Festival, New York, USA, Sept. 14.

• Purok 7 by Carlo Obispo, Best Feature Film, 37th Lucas — Internationales Kinderfilm festival, Frankfurt, Germany, Sept. 28.

• Diane Ventura, Best Director, and Jake Cuenca, Best Actor, Mulat, fourth International Film Festival Manhattan, New York, USA, Oct. 23.

• In Nomine Matris by Will Fredo, Best Feature Film, and Liza Diño, Best Actress, fourth International Film Festival Manhattan, New York, USA, Oct. 23.

• Nerissa Picadizo, Best Indie Producer Short Film, Astray, fourth International Film Festival Manhattan, New York, USA, Oct. 23.

• Mark Justine Aguillon, Best Actor in Short Film, Traffic Light (Semaporo), fourth International Film Festival Manhattan, New York, USA, Oct. 23.

• TNT (Tago ng Tago) by Roberto Reyes Ang, Best Ensemble Cast in Short Film, fourth International Film Festival Manhattan, New York, USA, Oct. 23.

• Domingo Hornilla Jr., Lifetime Achievement Award, fourth International Film Festival Manhattan, New York, USA, Oct. 23.

• Bamboo Flowers by Maryo delos Reyes, Audience Favorite Award, first Silk Road International Film Festival, Shaanxi Province, China, Oct. 25.

• Jeffrey Jeturian, Icono Precolombino Award, 31st Bogota International Film Festival, Colombia, Oct. 30.

• Lunod by Neica dela Cruz of UP Diliman, Second Prize, Video Content Category – Overseas, second International Students Creative Award, Osaka, Japan, Nov. 21.

• Magkakabaung by Jason Paul Laxamana, NETPAC Best Asian Film Award, and Allen Dizon, Best Actor, third Hanoi International Film Festival, Vietnam, Nov. 27. Dizon, Best Actor, ninth Harlem International Film Festival, New York, USA, Sept. 14.

• Gusto Nang Umuwi Ni Joy by Jan Tristan Pandy, Best Documentary Award and Audience Choice Award; Mananayaw by Rafael Froilan Jr., Special Jury Prize (Philippine Section). Kung Guinsa Pagbuhat Ang Binisayang Chopsuey by Charliebebs Gohetia and Walang Rape sa Bontok by Carla Samantha Ocampo, Special Mention Best Southeast Asian Documentary Award, first Cine Totoo Philippine International Film Festival, Resorts World Manila, Oct. 2.

• Bwaya by Francis Xavier Pasion, Grand Prize, 15th Tokyo FILMex International Film Festival, Japan, Nov. 29.

• Abakada ni Nanay by Joni Sarina Mejico, Jury Prize; The End of War by Joe Bacus, Golden Durian Prize for Best Mindanao Short Film.

• Carl Joseph Papa, Ang ‘Di Paglimot ng mga Alaala, the PH Next Filmmaker of the Future Prize; second SalaMindanaw International Film Festival, General Santos City, Nov. 29.

• May Dinadala by Giancarlo Lauro Abrahan V, Youth Jury Award, 25th Singapore International Film Festival, Dec. 13.

It was the Year of Pinoy Achievers in international singing and dancing competitions.

• Katrina Manaog, finalist in The Voice Kids Holland, Feb. 21, Netherlands. (Born to Filipino parents, Jessie and Cathy, Katrina at 12 is the youngest in the batch. Her late grandmother, Barbara Belo, was an opera singer who used to sing together with the late mother of musician, composer and conductor Ryan Cayabyab.)

• Kammerchor Manila, Grand Prix and four Gold medals in Supermixed Adult Choir Category (98 points), Mixed Adult Choir (100 points), Folklore a Capella (100 points) and Spiritual, Gospel and Pop (100 points); 42nd Festival of Songs, June 4 to 7, Morovian town of Olomouc, Czech Republic. (Founded in 1992 by UST Conservatory of Music professor Fidel Calalang Jr., the Kammerchor Manila is the choir of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish Church in West Triangle, Quezon City.)

Brillante Mendoza

• The Children’s Paradise Choir, Gold for Equal Voices (soprano and alto), Silver for Childen’s Choir Category and Silver for Folklore Category, second Asia Cantate International Choral Competition, June 13 to 16, Chai Wan, Hong Kong. (Led by choirmaster Dennis Gregory Sugarol, it is a 29-member choral group composed of schoolchildren aged five to 12 from Mandaue City, Cebu.)

• Aquinas University of Legazpi Dance Troupe, Silver Prize, International Youth Fellowship Cultural Dance Festival, July 4, Busan, South Korea.

• The Voices of Davao Ensemble, Gold Awards in Ensemble and Folksongs Categories, seventh Orientale Concentus, Singapore International Choral Festival, July 9 to 13. (The group is composed of seven Davao City-based young girls, sopranos Aika Abando, Trixia Ebita, Rica Penano and Meryll Salape, and altos Dianne Capuno, Adrianna Salape and Abby Salape.)

• Ateneo Chamber Singers (conducted by Jonathan Velasco), Champion (Gold) in Musica Sacra a capella and Gold in Mixed Chamber Choirs;  Miriam College High School Glee Club (conducted by Nancy Roman), Gold in Youth Choirs of Equal Voices and Gold in Musica Sacra with accompaniment; Iriga City Singing Ambassadors (conducted by Cris Caryll Yu), Gold in Popular Choral Music and Gold in Folklore; eighth World Choir Games, July 9 to 19, Riga, Latvia.

• Marlisa Punzalan, The X Factor Australia (sixth series) winner, July 13 to Oct. 20. (Fifteen-year-old Marlisa is the youngest winner and the first girl who’s under 25 to win. Stand by You was her winning song.)

• Ateneo Chamber Singers (conducted by Jonathan Velasco), First Prize in Habaneras category, 60th Certamen Internacional de Habaneras y Polyfonia, July 21 to 27, Torrevieja, Spain. (The Ateneo Chamber Singers was formed in 2001 by graduating members of the Ateneo College Glee Club who had then just completed a very successful tour of Europe, bagging top prizes in Italy, Ireland, Slovenia, France, Germany and Hungary.

• Loboc Children’s Choir, Silver in Youth Choir category, 12th China International Chorus Festival, July 29 to Aug. 4, Beijing, China. (The choir has released two albums, And A Child’s Heart Sings and River of Songs.)

• A-Team, Gold Medal-Finals; Upeepz, seventh and The Addlib, 13th-Semi-finals (Mega Crew Division, 45 competitors); A-Team, 11th and Alliance, 15th – Semi-finals (Varsity Division, 48 competitors); (Romancon Dance Company of College of Saint Benilde, Fourth Place (Adult Division, 39 competitors); 13th Annual World Hip Hop Dance Championship, Aug. 10, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. (The A-Team is a group composed of 30 of the country’s best dancers in this generation who came from different teams that have participated and won in various local and international street dance competitions. It is headed by two of the most sought-after coaches in the Philippine hip-hop community collectively named as THE ARDAs (Angelica Arda and MJ Arda), who have remarkable dance backgrounds and techniques.

• STEPS Dance Studio scholars: Jasmine Pia Dames (Silver Medal, Senior Division), Jessica Pearl Dames (Fourth Place, Senior Division and Fonteyn Special Award), Kevin Cascaño (Fifth Place, Senior Division), Lope Tobias Lim (Silver, Junior B Division and Kirov Scholarship Award), Raye Vince Pelegrin (Seventh Place, Junior A Division and AGP 2015 Scholarship Award), and Elwince Magbitang (Eighth Place, Junior A Division and So Danca Special Award), fourth Asian Grand Prix, Aug. 16, Hong Kong. (The Kirov Scholarship Award and the AGP 2015 Scholarship Award are six-week and five-day intensive dance workshops in Washington DC and Hong Kong, respectively, which are awarded to the most promising dancers in the competition. The group was trained and coached by Jeffrey Floyd Suico Espejo.)

• M.I.C.A., Top 8 in the sixth Season of Superstar K6, a reality show, Aug. 22 to Nov. 21, South Korea. (Formerly known as Cercado/Gollayan sisters from Santiago City, Isabela, namely Mylene, Irene, Celina and Almira. They were the only foreign contestants in the batch.)

• FMD Xtreme, Champion; Bacboyz, Silver; XB “Extreme Boyz” Gensan, Bronze and Pinoy Hip-Hop, fourth (Open Division); League of Galvanizers in Diversified Movement, Silver; and 4DK, fourth (Monster Crew Division); 11th World Supremacy Battlegrounds, Oct. 4, Brisbane City, Australia. (FMD Xtreme was also the champion in 2013. The Marikina City-based group was formed in 2007 and Kennedy Cortez is its head choreographer.)

• ALERON of Ateneo de Manila High School, Grand Prix and Gold for Classical Equal Voices Category; Coro San Benildo of College of Saint Benilde, Bronze for Classical Mixed; and Juan Luna Elementary School Children’s Choir, Bronze for Classical Equal; 10th Busan International Choral Festival and Competition, Oct. 13 to 18, South Korea.

• Ana Katrina Ramsey, First Place (18 to 24 age division), Chacha Cañete, Second Place (10 to 13), Glee Nette Gaddi, Third Place (14 to 17) and Gian Marla Gloria, Fourth Place (18 to 24); 10th Euro Pop Contest (Berliner Perle), Nov. 28 to 30, Berlin, Germany.

• Our Lady of Fatima University Chorale, Gold for Folklore and Silver for Mixed Choir Open, fifth Winter Chorale Festival, Dec. 1 to 5, Hong Kong. — With reports from CELSO DE GUZMAN CAPARAS

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