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“BAYANING 3RD WORLD” SWEEPS URIAN AWARDS

Quezon City, March 13, 2000 - “Bayaning 3rd World” ruled the 23rd Gawad Urian Awards, taking six of the 13 awards at stake, including best picture and best director. The Urian is handed out by a group of film critics banded under the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (MPP).

The unconventional movie is a documentary-style feature in black and white, which feature national hero Jose Rizal talking with a modern-day filmmaker and screenwriter just before he is executed.

Director Mike de Leon, who got his third Urian best director award, lived up to expectations by not showing up for the affair.

The De Leon film also won several technical awards, such as best cinematography (Ding Achacoso) and best sound (Noel Cruz Bruan and Raffy Baldjay Jr.). Lorrie Ilustre won best music for his work in the same film.

Joel Torre, who played Rizal, won best supporting actor.

“I've always dreamed of playing the role of Jose Rizal,'' an elated Torre said. ''Thank you, Mike de Leon. Thank you, Urian.''

Despite critical acclaim, ''Bayaning 3rd World'' was not a box office success.

Sharon Cuneta and Richard Gomez. emceed the four-hour show at the University of the Philippines Theater.

Veteran performer Elizabeth Oropesa (''Bulaklak ng Maynila'' won the best actress award.

Ricky Davao wept and groped for words when he won best actor for playing a trigger-happy policeman in ''Saranggola.''

''Thank you,'' Davao, his voice cracking, said. It's been 20 years (as an actor). To members of the Manunuri, thank you. I've long wanted and dreamt of getting this.''

Glydel Mercado won as best supporting actress for ''Sidhi,'' which starred Nora Aunor as a deaf-mute.

Nida Blanca received the Natatanging Gawad Urian, the local version of the Oscars' Lifetime Achievement Award. She thanked husband Rod Lawrence. ''I'd like to thank my one and only husband,'' Blanca said, ''for his unconditional love and unwavering support for my career.''

The evening's other winners were Armando Lao (best screenplay, ''Pila Balde''); Ronnie Cruz (best production design, ''Pila Balde''); Robert Vasadre (best editing, ''Pila Balde''); and Pamela Miras (best short film, ''Reyna ng Kadiliman'').

The Manunuri, led by president Agustin Sotto, is composed of some of the country's leading academics, feature writers, editors and journalists.

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