LIST: Winners of 48th Gawad Urian awards

The lights, the anticipation, the celebration of cinematic excellence – it was all present at the 48th Gawad Urian Awards, held recently on Saturday, October 11, at De La Salle University in Manila. Organized by the esteemed Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (MPP), this annual event once again honored the finest works in Filipino filmmaking, often hailed as the most prestigious and credible award-giving body in the industry.

Taking home the coveted Best Picture award was the powerful documentary, "Alipato at Muog," a production by Pulang Langgam Media Productions. Its triumph extended beyond the top prize, also securing accolades for Best Documentary and Best Editing. The film, which was also a nominee in several other key categories including screenplay and direction, tells a poignant story. Director and editor JL Burgos, accompanied by his mother Edith Burgos – whose late husband and disappeared son are central to the documentary’s narrative – graciously accepted the awards, underscoring the film’s profound personal and societal impact.

While "Alipato at Muog" claimed Best Picture, it was the film "Tumandok" that garnered the most trophies, bagging an impressive four awards. Its wins included Best Supporting Actor for the late Felipe Ganancial, Best Direction for Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay and Richard Jeroui Salvadico, Best Screenplay for Arden Rod Condez and Sumagaysay, and Best Music for Paulo Almaden and the Ati People of Kabarangkalan and Nagpana. Produced by Southern Lantern Studios, Terminal Six Post, and the Cinemalaya Foundation, Inc., "Tumandok" was a strong contender across various categories.

The evening also saw veteran actor Dante Rivero, a luminary of Philippine cinema and television for six decades, receive the Natatanging Gawad or Lifetime Achievement Award, a fitting tribute to his enduring legacy. In the lead acting categories, Arisa Nakano earned Best Actress for her work in "Kono Basho" (though she was unable to attend from Japan), while Dennis Trillo was recognized as Best Actor for his compelling performance in "Green Bones."

"Kono Basho" also secured a win for Cinematography, credited to Dan Villegas, while "Green Bones" added a Best Production Design award for Marxie Maolen Fadul to its tally. Rounding out the acting honors, stage actress Kakki Teodoro delivered a memorable turn in "Isang Himala" to win Best Supporting Actress. The nuanced sound design of "The Hearing" was acknowledged with a Best Sound award for Jannina Mikaela Minglanilla and Michaela Docena. Additionally, Kyd Toratos received the Best Short Film award for his work, "Bisan Abo, Wala Bilin" (Even Ashes, Nothing Remains).

Beyond the major winners, the event celebrated a diverse range of nominated works, from feature films like "Phantosmia" and "Dearly Beloved" to documentaries such as "And So It Begins," and various compelling short films. The success of the Gawad Urian Awards was made possible through the collaborative efforts of De La Salle University, the Film Development Council of the Philippines, and several DLSU units, reinforcing the academic and institutional support for Filipino cinema.

The Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino, established in May 1976 by a group of dedicated cinema critics, writers, and scholars, continues its vital mission to champion and honor outstanding films in the Philippines, with its annual Gawad Urian Awards remaining a benchmark for artistic excellence and critical acclaim in the nation's vibrant film industry.