A Very Independent Urian Quickie

While our lessons were becoming tougher in our Bing Lao Advanced Scriptwriting Workshop,
I was nervously wondering if I can make it on time to go to the Urian Awards.

It was an hour difference from the end of our session to the start of the Awards Night.
I cannot afford to display my coat, while being in a workshop. So, whether
it will be creased or not, I tugged it in a plastic bag, discreetly hidden.
And all I wore during the lessons was the usual "university look," in T-shirt
and jeans.

I didn't anticipate the heavy traffic volume from Shaw EDSA to CCP!
Who would think that the Gary V. Martin concert will cause
a traffic spilling over, all the way to Mandaluyong?

6pm, our session ended promptly with more jargon to remember.
The I, A & P effect were introduced. It simply shows the strategic way
to write for a desired effect, each also appropriately assigned to
the time modes of drama, real and poetic.

Bing Lao discussed the "ideal object," since we're in our Predication session,
pardon the technicalities. It's like a mistress' ideal object will be a legally married woman.
He mentioned an aspiring writer's ideal will be an event too, like the Urian awards.

Was that the reason why I needed to attend? Perhaps. But first and foremost,
was doing a cameo role in "Yanggaw." which made me an invited attendee
to this critics' awards night. But I do remember, declaring when I was
in my 20's, that someday, I will go up that stage and deliver a victory speech.

I did once, although usually, for short films, it's only the director who goes
up the stage and deliver the acceptance speech. I joined Sockie Fernandez
when she got up to receive the Urian Best Short Film Award.
I got to speak, too, being its writer, in deep Urian Tagalog.

Someday, I will, I hope, as a full-length scriptwriter, go on stage,
yes, with a dog in tow, for I have no kid to share it with.
"I would like to thank Ben Sherman for my clothes, etc., etc."

I remember the days when the Urian awards were also broadcast on TV.
But now that they feel only independent films deserve to be credited
as best, no major network can see the merit of airing it.

An Aleera Montalla will be an unknown to the TV audience, but yes, she
won Best Supporting Actress for being the possessed kid in "Yanggaw."

I wonder though if there are really no craftsman or actor worthy to be
honored at all from any mainstream movie of 2008. I personally
feel Sharon Cuneta and John Estrada were very good in "Caregiver."

Urian might well become the Independent Spirit Awards' counterpart.

But I know Mylene Dizon will still win and should win
She did give the best performance on film in 2008, for "100."

Brillante Mendoza may well be on his way to have a three-in-a-row
top plum win at the Urian. Last year, he got it for "Tirador," this year,
it's "Serbis," and next, it will be for "Kinatay." I doubt if the
Manunuris (critics) will not give him that prize if Cannes has already
hailed him as Best Director.

Haunting and mesmerizing was Cookie Chua's song number
without music. It was simply her voice, and her soulful rendition
which filled the Little Theater at the CCP. And that song,
I think from Lav Diaz's "Melancholia" was great.

Peque Gallaga receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award
was a mixed moment. At first, it sounded like a teacher,
delivering an address to the valedictory class, and a "state-of-the-cinema"
report from then and now, but I do like to have that platinum auteur
hairstyle when I grow old. But good thing, the audience did a long
standing ovation for a man truly deserving of cinematic icon honors.

I have always followed the Urian Awards. Even if I attend the affair or not,
I make sure I know who won.

Somehow, I know at least they debate thoroughly on their choices, and even
analyze films in their context, message, and crafting.

But to totally shun mainstream cinema, understandably, not
for Best Picture or Director, but for other categories, I may disagree.

So far, if you want an Urian, be a part of an indie film.

But at least I know for next year, I can trust the Urian
not to include "In My Life" in its magic five list.
Not that it was that bad, it was just so "mainstreamly"
melodramatic, so Star Cinematic.

Congratulations to all the winners of the 32nd Gawad Urian.

I wish "Yanggaw" got more though, and yes, I am biased
because I was a "bit part" of it, I found the
film a breakthrough for the horror genre.

And I wished they nominated Chris Martinez
for his "100" screenplay. That was one fine script!
In the jargon of Bing Lao, in the dramatic time mode category,
I know it's the best!

I capped my Urian quickie with a beer or two, listening
to the tail end of Side A singing "Forevermore" and "Tell Me"
at the very decadent, very mainstream Hard Rock Cafe.

After the independent film honors, yes, I craved for mainstream.
It was a tough day, and a surreal night, indeed.