It?s surreal, some filmmakers have pointed out, that the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) decided to honor the year?s best films and performances with a first-ever awards ceremony. In short, that?s celebrating, instead of censuring movie people.

Moreover, majority of the nominees and winners were from the independent scene, whose denizens often come into conflict with the censors body.

Best Supporting Actress Maribel Lopez recalled that, when her winning film, Brillante Mendoza?s ?Kinatay? was premiered in UP, ?we were afraid it would get X?d, but it was eventually passed by the board.?

Indie filmmaker Raymond Red, whose ?Himpapawid? won three trophies (Best Drama Film, Direction and Screenplay), told Inquirer: ?Initially, I had mixed feelings about the nominations. But the awards night (on Friday) proved that even the MTRCB had to finally recognize the emergence of new cinema.?

Almost all of the winners in the nine categories were indies, except Best Supporting Actor John Lloyd Cruz (?In My Life?), Best Actress Vilma Santos (?In My Life?) and Best Action/Fantasy Film (?Ang Panday?).

Chair Maria Consoliza ?Marissa? Laguardia said the first MTRCB Film Awards, like its TV Awards last year, was ?part of the board?s film appreciation and education program.?

Farewell, too?

She expressed the hope that subsequent boards would pursue the same projects. ?But I will not dictate ? even the present board doesn?t envision the Film and TV awards as an annual event,? Laguardia said.

It was simply a way of ?celebrating? films that combine moral values and artistic merit, she added.

It was also a farewell for her, Laguardia jested. There are rumors she may get reappointed by the incoming Aquino administration, but she said she was more than happy with her past seven years as MTRCB chair.

Laguardia was in full party mode at the awards night, held at the Convenarium of Crossroad 77 in Quezon City.

Like most of the stars, Laguardia was dressed to the nines, although she declined to name her gown?s designer. ?Secret,? she quipped, but later relented: ?It was made by a friend.?

In true local awards night fashion, there were even citations for Male and Female Stars of the Night won by GMA 7?s Jake Vargas and Sarah Lahbati.

Other big winners were: ?Last Supper No. 3,? Best Comedy Film; Alfred Vargas and Lou Veloso, Best Actors, ?Colorum.?

Regal Films producer Lily Monteverde received the Lifetime Achievement Award, for being a staunch supporter of the movie industry, said Laguardia.

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