Lingayen – Philippine Showbiz Superstar Nora Aunor received her Best Actress award for the second time in the 3rd Urduja Film Festival (UFF), a Pangasinan-based award-giving body to Filipino films which also includes indie films produced by Pangasinenses.

“I hope that all my films will become sources of inspiration to the young film makers,” Aunor said in her acceptance speech, as she urged film makers to raise the bars in producing local film masterpieces that Filipinos could be proud of, internationally.

Aunor received the best actress award for the major role she played in the film Taklub. Last year, she also received the same citation for the film, Thy Womb.

UFF Chairperson Leo Fuentes led the film fest’s awarding ceremony held at the Sison Auditorium on December 2 which was also graced by Film Development Council of the Philippines Liza Dino, who also received the Best Supporting Actress citation for the film Toto.

The Filipina Superstar, who disclosed the possible establishment of ‘Nora Aunor School of Arts’ by next year also took pride of the distinct local theme being featured in indie films produced by artists from various provinces in region one.

Meanwhile, the UFF also recognized active advocates for the preservation of Pangasinan culture and the arts.

Leading the roster of Urduja Hall of Fame awardees for culture and the arts was former Pangasinan Governor and now 5^th District Representative Amado T. Espino, Jr., who was represented by former Provincial Administrator Rafael Howard Baraan.

Commissioners of the Pangasinan Historical and Cultural Commission, Virginia Pasalo and Perla Legazpi, Center for Pangasinan Studies Chairperson, were also recognized.

Other UFF major awards were given to: Angelli Agbayani for Iisa (Best Actress); John Arcilla for Heneral Luna, Junjun Quintano for Water Lemon and Allen Dizon for Imbisibol (Best Actor); Jess Mendoza for Iisa, RK Bagatsing for Ang Kubo sa Kawayanan and Aaron Rivera for Taklub (Best Supporting Actor); Rio Locsin and Sharmaine Buencamino for Bambanti (Best Supporting Actress); Jerrold Tarog for Heneral Luna (Best Director); Apocalypse Child (Best Cinematography); Ari My Life with a King (Best Screenplay); Taklub, Bambanti, Felix Manalo, Heneral Luna and Ari my Life with a King (Best Heritage Film).

Short films produced by college and high school production teams in the region were also recognized. These include the ‘Kumpapey Ed Dayat’ for college category which bagged home the best actress, best supporting actor, best supporting actress, best editing, best screenplay and best director awards.

Short films ‘Diploma’ bagged the best actress award; ‘Rem’ and ‘Talaarawan’ tied for the best actor award; and ‘Talaarawan’, best cinematography.

For the high school category, the following short films were standouts for bagging major awards: ‘Ano ang Kulay ng Bukas’ best actress; ‘Hangad’,best actor; ‘Hulmahan’, best supporting actor; ‘Hangad’, best screenplay;  ‘Tulag’ , best editing; and ‘Sa isang Pangarap’ best director.

/MGNO