IN its 36th year, the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) successfully crossed to a virtual awarding ceremony in line with physical restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Recognized were the best of films, actors, directors and other creatives of the movies shown in 2019.
Alden Richards bagged the Movie Actor of the Year award for his portrayal of an OFW bartender in Hello, Love, Goodbye. Sylvia Sanchez bested other actresses in the Best Actress category for her powerful portrayal as Jesusa in the movie of the same title.
This year’s recipient of the Nora Aunor Ulirang Artista Lifetime Achievement Award is veteran theater, film and television actress Angie Ferro, while the Ulirang Alagad ng Pelikula sa Likod ng Kamera Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to seasoned master director Elwood Perez who is celebrating his 50th year in the movie industry.
A joint production by the PMPC and the Film Development Council of the Philippines, the awards ceremony was made possible by the tandem of Winnie Magcalen Mariano and director Pete Mariano.
First-time awards hosts, actor-turned-politician Alfred Vargas and prized GMA actress Sanya Lopez, did their best hosting remotely from the compounds of MowelFund in Quezon City. Top-tier music talent added glitter to the show, led by Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Jed Madela and Luke Mejares. The event was aired on September 26 at 6 pm via STV (Social TV) and the RAD streaming platform.
Here are the winners in the 2021 PMPC Star Awards for Movies:
n Movie of the Year: Hello, Love, Goodbye (Star Cinema); Director of the Year: Cathy Garcia-Molina (Hello, Love, Goodbye); Indie Movie of the Year: Mindanao (Center Stage Productions); Indie Movie Director of the Year: Brillante Mendoza (Mindanao);
n Movie Actor of the Year: Alden Richards; Movie Actress of the Year: Sylvia Sanchez; Supporting Actor of the Year: Ricky Davao (Fuccbois); Supporting Actress of the Year: Maricel Laxa (Hello, Love, Goodbye); New Movie Actor of the Year: David Licauco (Because I Love You), tied with Paolo Marcoleta (Guerrero Dos, Tuloy Ang Laban);
n New Movie Actress of the Year: Michelle Dee (Because I Love You); Movie Child Performer of the Year: Xia Vigor (Miracle In Cell No. 7); Movie Ensemble of the Year: the cast of Miracle In Cell No. 7, headed by Aga Muhlach; Indie Movie Ensemble of the Year: the cast of John Denver Trending, headed by Jansen Magpusao;
n Short Movie of the Year: Forever (Adlibs Entertainment Corp., Institute of the Moving Image, Bandido Media Productions); Short Movie Director of the Year: Domingo Molina (Forever);
n Special Awards—Darling of the Press: Joed Serrano; Movie Loveteam of the Year: Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards (Hello, Love, Goodbye).