In the best supporting actress category, those mentioned are Celeste Legaspi in “Larawan”, Dimples Romana in ‘Dedma Walking’ and Jasmine Curtis Smith who once again proves in “Siargao” the truth of the adage that there are no small roles, only small actors.
As best actor, sure to compete with each other are Derek Ramsay in “All Of You” (he has the most serious role among all the entries), Joross Gamboa and Edgar Allan Guzman as the best friends who are both leads in “Dedma Walking”. But Edgar has the flashier scene-stealing role and he also has longer exposure because he does several musical production numbers as a gay performer who’s part of the Crying Divas drag group, so mas llamado siya. How about Coco Martin in “Panday”? “Hindi naman pang-award ang role niya,” says our source. How about Paulo Avelino in “Larawan”? “Sa totoo lang, siya ang weakest link sa major cast ng movie.” How about Jericho Rosales? “Very very light ang role niya in ‘Siargao’, not the type that can give awards like his role before in ‘Walang Forever’ where he won.”
As best actress, the top bets are Joanna Ampil in “Larawan” (‘sobrang intense and affecting ang performance niya’, someone whispers to us) and Jennylyn Mercado in “All Of You”. Dawn Zulueta will be a dark horse in “Meant to Beh”.
For best picture, “Larawan” is most everyone’s bet. “It’s a prestige project based on a work of a National Artist, so malaki ang lamang niya sa ibang entries at baka manalo rin ng technical awards including best music and production design,” says an analyst. “Baka second and third best pictures ang ‘All Of You’ and ‘Dedma Walking’. Sa best director, tiyak na maglalaban sina Loy Arcenas for ‘Larawan’ and Dan Villegas for ‘All Of You’.”
How about “Gandarrapido” and “Panday”? “Hindi naman sila ginawa to win awards but with the box office as the primary consideration, so mas gugustuhin nilang manalo sila sa takilya.”
