Juday favored to win 2019 MMFF Best Actress

We wrote in this column that we’re delighted with the nominees chosen by the Luna Awards. We said that their Electoral Body finally got their act together by coming up with the best nominees in years.

The Film Academy of the Philippines should also thank Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chair Liza Dino for helping mount the Luna Awards and create buzz for the event. The awards night, directed by Ice Seguerra, gained praised from those who saw it.

But you can’t have it all. It is sad that the Luna Awards is considered the industry awards, the counterpart of the Oscars in Hollywood, but it failed to gain ample support from industry members.

People were wondering why newly installed FAP Director General Vivian Velez was absent from the awards night. If she had a previous appointment for that day, could she not move it? After all, the Luna Awards is the first major event that needs her presence as head of the FAP.

Of the acting winners, it was only Daria Ramirez (best supporting actress winner for “Signal Rock,” a much deserved-award for playing the loving mother of Christian Bables) was the only one present to personally accept her award.

Glaiza de Castro, named Best Actress for “Liway,” was at the wedding of her brother Alcris at Balesin Resort in Baler. The wedding was set long before the Luna Awards was scheduled. To be fair to Glaiza, she was at the Nominees Night of the Luna Awards where she granted media interviews.

Arjo Atayde, Best Supporting Actor for “Buy Bust,” supposedly left for a vacation in Los Angeles, California with Maine Mendoza.

We tried to contact somebody close to Daniel Padilla to ask why he was absent but we didn’t get an answer as of press time.

Here’s hoping that the next Luna Awards will be star-studded and all awardees will be present. Congratulations also to FDCP Chair Liza Dino for helping put up the awards night.

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With the victory of Judy Ann Santos as Best Actress at the 41st Cairo International Film Festival for “Mindanao,” many are saying that the beautiful wife of Ryan Agoncillo will most likely win best actress at the forthcoming Metro Manila Film Festival.

This should not come as a surprise, knowing Juday’s caliber as an actress. But she says that more than the possible award, the fact that she was able to do a significant project like “Mindanao” is a big honor for her. We are sure no one would raise an eyebrow in case Juday wins as best actress.

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It’s no secret that Jed Madela’s faith is very important to him. He often posts Bible passages on his timeline. Before he takes the stage, he always makes sure to pray.

Jed’s latest album, “Superhero,” was named Best Secular Album at the 2019 Catholic Mass Media Awards. The award-giving body was established in 1978 by the late Cardinal Sin to honor those who serve God through media. Jed’s win signifies that he strives to uphold the highest moral values and ideals in his work.

The 16-track album, “Chosen: Songs from an Original Musical,” which was produced by the Ateneo SALT Institute, in cooperation with ABS-CBN and the Jesuit Music Ministry, won Best Inspirational Album. Jed’s rendition of the song “No More Music” is on that album, which means he had a hand in its win.

Jed also earned nominations from the Philippine Movie Press Club. He’s up for three trophies at the Star Awards for Music: Album of the Year (“Superhero”), Male Recording Artist of the Year (for that album’s lead single “‘Di Matitinag”), and Male Concert Performer of the Year (“Higher than High”).

“Higher than High,” Jed’s anniversary concert at the Big Dome, has seemingly become an awards season favorite because it also earned Jed a nomination for Best Major Concert by a Male Artist at the 2019 Aliw Awards. The show’s musical director, Marvin Querido, was also nominated for Best Musical Direction for a Concert.

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Japh Dolls, an all-female group with diverse background and ethnicities, brings a new flavor to the entertainment scene.

Multi-faceted young and talented performers of four, they climbed their way up from being timid to a now-known fierce and the only Japanese- Filipino female group of performers in Asia.

Japh Dolls is composed of Riyo Nishijima (20), Ruri Yamamoto (18), Rei Minagawa (22) and Risa Muramaya (20). The group just performed at ABS-CBN’s “Your Moment.”

On Dec. 9, Japh Dolls will stage their first solo concert aptly titled “Fantasy World,” produced by LVQ Entertainment and Savi Productions and directed by Mark Decena. Special guests will be Ai Ai de las Alas, the adult oriented rock band The Crib and Kyline Alcantara.

Tickets are available at Ticket World at 8-891-999 and at the Music Museum box-office at 8-721-0635 or 8-721-6726.