ER, Maja lead Luna Awards
Laguna governor Jeorge "ER" Estregan won the Best Actor award for his movie, "Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story" while Maja Salvador was proclaimed Best Actress for “Thelma” at the 30th Film Academy of the Philippines’ Luna Awards presentation held August 26 at the Quezon City Sports Club.
In his acceptance speech, ER said, “We would continue producing movies, not only for the sake of the industry but to help create employment for people who have been deprived of jobs because of the recent downturn of the local movie industry.”
“The Asiong Salonga Story” is based on the true-to-life story of notorious Tondo crime kingpin Nicasio ‘Asiong’ Salonga, known for his legendary exploits as a Robin Hood-type gangster in the 50s. The black and white film attempted to put life back into the action genre.
Maja’s award-winning role was that of a girl who discovers her talent for speed, and goes on to win various track and field competitions through which she makes her poor family’s life a little bit more comfortable.
During the screening for the top awards held earlier at the UP Theater, “Thelma” was a strong contender for Best Picture. But “Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story” won the top award.
The Best Director award went to Paul Soriano for “Thelma.” The film also won Best Cinematography for Odyssey Flores.
The complete list of winners:
Best Picture: “Manila Kingpin: the Asiong Salonga Story”
Best Director: Paul Soriano, “Thelma”
Best Actor: Jeorge ER Estregan, “Asiong Salonga”
Best Actress: Maja Salvador, “Thelma”
Best Supporting Actor: John Regala, “Asiong Salonga”
Best Supporting Actress: Lovi Poe, “Yesterday Today Tomorrow”
Best Screenplay: Froilan Medina and Paul Soriano, “Asiong Salonga”
Best Cinematography: Odyssey Flores, “Thelma”
Best Production Design: Fritz and Mona Silorio, “Asiong Salonga”
Best Editing: Jason Cahapay and Ryan Orduna, “Asiong Salonga”
Best Musical Score: Raul Mitra, “No Other Woman”
Best Sound: Albert Michael Idioma, “Asiong Salonga”
Special Awards:
Golden Reel Award: Rodolfo "Dolphy" Quizon
FPJ Lifetime Achievement Award: Augusto Salvador
Manuel de Leon Award for Exemplary Achievement: Manuel "Jun" Urbano
Lamberto Avellana Memorial Award: Ben Feleo, Don Escudero and Jose Batac
