Newbie Hasmine Killip bests Nora Aunor, Jaclyn Jose in Urian

MANILA, Philippines — Newcomer Hasmine Killip, star of independent film “Pamilya Ordinaryo,” defeated veterans Nora Aunor, Jaclyn Jose, Irma Adlawan, Ai Ai Delas Alas, Elizabeth Oropesa, Cherry Pie Picache and Charo Santos-Concio as Best Actress in the 40th Gawad Urian Awards held Thursday night in ABS-CBN.

This is Hasmine’s seventh Best Actress award for her debut film, following her win at the Harlem International Film Festival in New York in May 2017; the Asia Pacific Screen Awards; Hanoi International Film Festival; Fantasporto-Oporto International Film Festival and the 12th Cinemalaya Film Festival. She also won a Special Jury for Performance citation at the London East Asia Film Festival.

According to Bienvenido Lumbera, member of the award-giving body’s organizer, Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino, they chose Hasmine over the more experienced ones because of her realistic and deeply emotional portrayal of a teen street urchin in search of her kidnapped baby.

Her husband in the film, Ronwaldo Martin, brother of Coco Martin, was also nominated for Best Actor, which eventually went to Paolo Ballesteros of “Die Beautiful.”

Unfortunately, Hasmine just gave birth, so she was unable to personally receive her award, said one of the film’s representatives. This time, however, she did not lose her child, the representative joked.

Though she did not win, 2016 Cannes film festival Best Actress Jaclyn Jose was in high spirits. “We appreciate all award-giving bodies. Lahat binibigyan namin ng recognition. Pero itong Urian, may kurot sa’kin kasi ito ‘yung unang nagbigay sa’kin ng Best Actress, 1984, ‘Takaw Tukso’,” Jaclyn shared in an interview with Philstar.com.

“Ang masarap not ‘yung hinihintay mong manalo ka pero kasi maganda ‘yung lineup. Sana lahat pumunta para masaya!” she quipped.

As for her lacey black-and-white gown from John Ablaza, which she said matches the cast in her injured hand, she proudly revealed: “Libre ito!”